Crosspost: Is it possible to beat the cold?

My friend is new to growing, and is a bit impatient to start a grow op. No indoor alternatives exist.

My friend is looking to grow in a shack outdoors during New England winter. Size is about 10x10, no insulation or heat to speak of. He's got a 5x5 flower and a 4x4 veg tent available, so they should fit side by side within. So far, he's looking at these measures to beat the cold:

1. 1 1/2" insulation board around the grow tent, with a hole cut for the fan/exhaust.
2. Elevating the pots (milk crates or something) to keep them from being in contact with the cold floor.
3. Using a space heater on a thermostat (which hopefully won't burn everything down) to keep things at the right temperature.
4. Maybe a humidifier to counteract the space heater?

Also if, because of the extra insulation or equipment, both tents can't fit in the shack, one may have to go outside. At that point, is a winter outdoor tent grow even feasible? Should I tell my friend to wait for the spring?

What are the increased risks of growing like this, beyond the obvious threat of cold temps/frost?

Will this work or not? That's his question!

Well I'd bet on it working but it kinda depends how cold the winters are there, space heaters can normally do pretty well and it seems well enough planned with lifting the tents up and stuff. So yeah as far as I'm concerned you can tell this "friend" to go ahead and give it a go. I'd say your main risk you're looking at is smell and then light leaks and such plus what is your "friend" going to do if the space heater breaks? Going to need to replace it that day or you'll risk losing them so he had better have a spare on hand. Also he should make sure to have the lights on at night to try and balance out the temps. If things get too cold first thing that will happen will be a growth stunt so if the temps aren't up to at least 20C it'll take a loooong time to veg the plants to a proper size and your yield will just be low. Oh and if one tent has to go outside its probably fucked. sorry to be the bearer of bad news but yeah I wouldn't bother putting anything in a tent outdoors in winter, one 5x5 tent should be easily enough space for enough plants to get you a decent yield.

Lol"Would a tent outside in the New England winter be ok" Um wasn't there a 20+ inch snow storm like twice last year

wiethe20 said:

Lol"Would a tent outside in the New England winter be ok" Um wasn't there a 20+ inch snow storm like twice last year

Click to expand...

HAHAHAHA oh god I had no idea how cold it got, and OP if you've got snow and your not totally legal thats another problem because people tend to notice the one surface without snow on it (like the roof of your shack will be) and if you google it you get grow ops. Otherwise that insulation better be done real well and you may need extra heaters, it wont hurt to have them around anyway in case one breaks but yeah definitely dont skimp on that.
--edit--
I would also seriously reconsider either finding indoor space somewhere or having a tiny micro stealth grow (ive seen them in old computers and stuff) or just waiting til spring

rnint said:

HAHAHAHA oh god I had no idea how cold it got, and OP if you've got snow and your not totally legal thats another problem because people tend to notice the one surface without snow on it (like the roof of your shack will be) and if you google it you get grow ops. Otherwise that insulation better be done real well and you may need extra heaters, it wont hurt to have them around anyway in case one breaks but yeah definitely dont skimp on that.
--edit--
I would also seriously reconsider either finding indoor space somewhere or having a tiny micro stealth grow (ive seen them in old computers and stuff) or just waiting til spring

Click to expand...

There are weeks on end when Its -10 or more lmao!!

wiethe20 said:

There are weeks on end when Its -10 or more lmao!!

Click to expand...

lol well... that changes things a bit I was thinking more on the bordering 0C side, good luck OP I'd definitely recommend either going indoor with a micro grow, insulating THE SHIT out of the shack, or just waiting. This will most likely otherwise be a frustrating winter with not much to benefit at the end of it because trying to heat tents through insulation in an uninsulated shack in -10 degree temps will be inefficient to say the least. I'm a big fan of the 5 P's, planning prevents piss poor performance, sort your shit before you end up wasting a bunch of time and money on a couple popcorn nugs

At my house I got like 5 feet of snow here in Maine don't waste the money an a tent for outside might as well put a cardboard box out with some plants, I would say do like 2 4x4s or a 3x3 and 4x4 plenty of room to grow smoke

All great responses, thanks for the advice! My "friend" is definitely going to wait!