Does anyone have a grow cabinet in a cold garage?

I am building a grow box and my garage is cold right now being its winter. Prob around a avg temp of 40-50 degrees. Hopefully not for to much longer but prob a couple more months. I am going to have a 100w cfl and a few smaller. Does anyone think enough heat will be generated to maintain reasonable temps to grow? Its a cab. in process so I havent cut any ventalation holes yet.

you might have to insulate your box will help retain heat longer also you can rig up temp sensors and test it for a while before using it

its going to be to cold honestly even with some bigger cfls there will only be a few degrees difference. maybe if you dont add any ventilation itll stay warmer but i wouldnt suggest it

Not sure about the heat being enough or retained. I know 40-50 degrees will deff make it a struggle for plants to grow efficiently without major issues. It is cold here, 40s-50s @ night for my plants, I turn my exhaust off & take off my glass from the light hood. 600w keeps the plants 65+ @ night.

Mainly it is the Root system that will screw the plant over even if the top if warm with lights.. cold water around the roots can get real cold with them temps.

i have a 3x3x5.5 ft cabinet with just cfl, you will have to insulate it as you temps wont hold very high low to mid 60's at best, insulate the floor with insulation board from home depot the pink crap with shine foil on both sides, mine has reflectix on the inside for insulation and reflection, i also drape sleeping bags over it to retain heat, i only use it as a holding area for small vegging plants when space is limited

ya i have been taking my time building it waiting out winter, got the false drawer fronts reinstalled, hooks and what not to fold fans and lights. Guess ill just keep taking my time. Thanks

You could install a heating system to use during lights-out.

Just use a sensor to only have it come on when it drops below 70 degrees.

I've had to start using a little ceramic heater myself.

my rooms in a cold un insulated part of my attic i just boxed off an area with sheets about 15 feet by 15 feet and run a heater works very well

how did your grow work out?

Tim Fox said:

how did your grow work out?

Click to expand...

I have one! Check it out in the stealth/micro/cab section, works well for me if u need more heat and night use a reptile heat mat and thermostat!

what are the temps in your garage? and are you able to keep the temps in the 70's inside your box?

Might I add that you could use an old non-working fridge.
The insulation is superior and sealed doors etc.
Works pretty good for me !
We get some cold nites here once in a while.

I took a good long look at used Refridgerators on Craigslist, some were only 50 dollars,, and gut the thing out, i also viewed some really nice videos on youtube of Refridge grows,, some use the freezer section for mother. clones and the bottom for flowering,

I say use it to your advantage.. Jus add more bulbs to balance it out..

I can't believe my lucky stars, my wife just approved me moving my wardrobe into the bedroom next to my side of the bed, the bedroom is always above 65 in the dead of winter

Get an oil heater and place it near the area where you're growing, it provides heat all the time and at a constant rate, oil heaters are sealed and very efficient.

I have a closet grow in my garage that has a vent between the walls to my closet. 4" inline draws air from the house heating and cooling year round. Run lights at night to cut down on heat and cold. Summers are a bitch but winters are perfect.