You Might Want to Stop Throwing Away Bubble Wrap as Expert Says It Can Help Cut Greenhouse Costs

Tennielle Jordison of Homes and Gardens, an expert in gardening and horticulture, purchased a small greenhouse during spring and enjoyed growing crops until summer. However, she did not want to stop doing it as winter clocked in. She then had the bright idea to repurpose the bubble wrap lying around her house to be used as insulation inside her greenhouse. The hack is a win-win as it does not cost any money, is energy-efficient, and prevents plastic from going into the landfills. The structure of the bubble wrap traps heat and serves the purpose of keeping plants and crops warm during the frosty days. 

While bubble wrap insulation is a sustainable and green way of keeping your greenhouse warm, it is beneficial to consider the climate before putting up the insulation sheets. This should be done only before the coldest temperatures and frosty days roll in, usually mid-late fall. If done too early, it can cause damage to the plants by overheating and causing dehydration. Besides, ventilation is necessary despite the insulation to prevent the buildup of mold and mildew that could affect the plants. According to the Yorkshire Post, air is a poor conductor of heat, and the air trapped in the bubble prevents heat from escaping in winter. Therefore, the packaging material could potentially be used as an eco-friendly insulator for several purposes. 

However, most greenhouses can be used during the winter; their ability to withstand freezes depends on the material they are made of. Single-walled greenhouses and those made of soft  PVC sheets are unsuitable for use in the winter months, per The Spruce. Double-walled polyethylene sheet greenhouses, double-walled glass greenhouses, and half-wood-walled greenhouses can be used in winter they endure lower temperatures and come with the facility for commercial insulation. YouTube creator and gardener, Gardening at Douentza, shared an easy guide to insulating the greenhouse with bubble wrap.