Advice for greenhouse irrigation and how to keep the raccoon away

[rogerius]

We are planning to build a 13'x30' greenhouse once the snow is gone and right now I'm looking for ideas how to irrigate the plants. My goal is to have an automatic system for watering. I see so far 2 methods, drip irrigation and over head using sprinklers. Some people are saying the overhead method is not ideal for plants (the plants needs to cool down in order to irrigate, otherwise the leaves will be burn). Do you have any recommendations? How you watering the plants in your greenhouse?

The second issues are the "friendly" raccoons. We have a few around us and they are too friendly sometime. How I can keep them away from the greenhouse? I'm thinking to leave a radio on all the time and in the night to have the light on inside. Will be enough, or they will be used to after a while?

Thx.

 

[randy41]

the irrigation method depends on what you grow. the plants are fine with overhead irrigation. rain is overhead irrigation.
to keep the coons out just seal the greenhouse closed.

 

[DFB]

We use "spiders" on all the Geraniums, New Guinea impatiens and Strawberry plants, the hanging baskets get drips. Guess it all depends what your growing. With all the vegetables and most other flower flats just a hose and sprinkler wand is all we use.

 

[Gunny]

I'm not sure about your watering problem, but don't depend on a radio or a light to keep coons away. I tried that once to keep them out of my sweet corn. It wasn't long before I'd find corncobs laying right beside the radio.

If you can't keep them out physically, get a big dog.

 

[rogerius]

We use "spiders" on all the Geraniums, New Guinea impatiens and Strawberry plants, the hanging baskets get drips. Guess it all depends what your growing. With all the vegetables and most other flower flats just a hose and sprinkler wand is all we use.

Just wondering what are the spiders for irrigation?
We are planning to plant just vegetables: tomatoes, peppers, carrots, onion, green salad, green beans, egg plans, zucchini,....

 

[SweBota]

Vegetables need a lot of water so keep it low, and keep it simple. We use perforated PVC pipes along the rows, just lying on the ground. Trying to provide that amount of water from sprinklers will keep plants wet and they rot. At least in our climate.

/Marcus

 

[DFB]

Spiders are series of individual lines grouped together on single main usually 6 to 12 leads are common, one lead goes to each plant pot. Some stuff doesn't respond well to overhead or spray irrigation especially those flowering plants I previously mentioned. used to control disease on the strawberries

This is what they look like

https://www.kiwiland.com/growshop/irrigation/water-spider.html

Never mind the source

 

[pmsmechanic]

When I was younger and still living with my parents the only raccoon repellent we found that worked every time for the sweet corn was a black lab. Lights, radios and traps didn't work but our dog did.

 

[rogerius]

Spiders are series of individual lines grouped together on single main usually 6 to 12 leads are common, one lead goes to each plant pot. Some stuff doesn't respond well to overhead or spray irrigation especially those flowering plants I previously mentioned. used to control disease on the strawberries

This is what they look like

https://www.kiwiland.com/growshop/irrigation/water-spider.html

Never mind the source

Thanks for info. Ha, ha.... very nice source, just taking a peek I feel the aroma

 

[DFB]

Just the first link that popped up on the search

So tell us some more about your "automatic" watering plan/idea. Are you thinking of using timers or just turn it on and walk away for awhile and hope someone remembers to turn it off..that happens a lot to us

Greenhouse watering most times is a judgment call, so many variables can be factored in such as cloudy vs sunny days, or damp rainy weather, excessively high seasonal outdoor temps. Controlling the water especially on tomato plants lets you slow down excessive early growth. Good air flow is very important. So is heat control. Its all learning curve. At 12 x30 you should be able to watch it quite closely.

We have about 40 poly tunnel structures in varying sizes up to 100ft where I work. some are spiders, some are hand controlled drips someone turns it on and off

Most all rest are still hand watered believe it or not. Even the plants outside. Bet you never think you could you see someone watering plants in the rain :shocked: