Hoophouse project

[ArtMech]

Nice job.

I will show my ignorance: How does the hoophouse help you? E.g., does it lengthen the growing season by keeping the temperatures up in the fall and spring? And if it does lengthen the growing season, are you able to plant two crops?

I assume the fabric lets in sufficient sunlight to grow the plants?

Does it keep the rain from the plants?

I would enjoy learning exactly how you use it.

Thanks.

In the countries with comparetively short summer, yes, the hoophouse keeps temperature up inside.
In my area we sometimes even have frost in June at nights, which may kill all the plants. You can plant in the mid of June, but you will have the greens late in summer then.
No, we don't have two crops in the hoophouse, but some species of greens or vegetables are ripenning within the whole summer. You may have a few different species of tomato - early and late, for example.
And yes, it lengthens the growing season but just for one crop in my case.
The fabric really lets sufficient sunlight inside the hoophouse, but you need watering to keep sufficient dampness inside.

 

[rd_macgregor]

A point that I have often wondered about is whether the little bumps where the clamps are down the ridgeline abrade the cover and shorten its life... or, am I just imagining a problem that doesn't exist?
BOB

 

[looknlearn]

A point that I have often wondered about is whether the little bumps where the clamps are down the ridgeline abrade the cover and shorten its life... or, am I just imagining a problem that doesn't exist?
BOB

I have wondered the same thing but we haven't had a problem in a little over a year. The clamps are aluminum with no sharp edges but I guess time will tell. We are not looking forward to having to replace the plastic for any reason, though I know it will deteriorate over time.

 

[forgeblast]

what mil is the plastic?

 

[looknlearn]

what mil is the plastic?

6 mil I believe. It is actually some type of 'greenhouse' plastic that is supposed to last better in the sun or somethin about how it lets the light though. Can't remember exactly.

 

[ArtMech]

...We are thinking of a way to move our hoophouse to a few locations but we have not figured out a way. It will be especially difficult with the solid end walls...

Tucker,
You might take a look at the other ideas of the hoophouses before doing some changes in your garden.
Example: Euro-serre
Maybe it is not necessary to move your big hoophouse to another location, keep it as a stationary, if you can get tractor inside to till the soil, to bring compost et cetera. You can build a new smaller one or even a few small if your greens business goes well.
In some countries (including mine) there are the industrial hoophouses, which are growing greens in over the whole year excluding periods, when they need to refresh the soil.

Images are just for idea. It's really a good time to think to be prepared for spring works.

 

[mojoinco]

I'd like to see the detail of the beam clamps and the end wall to roof clamps. And of the sidewall roll up process.

My wife and I have been toying with something like this. We bought a baby greenhouse, but it just isn't practical (too small for extending a growing season).

Thanks!

 

[looknlearn]

I'd like to see the detail of the beam clamps and the end wall to roof clamps. And of the sidewall roll up process.

My wife and I have been toying with something like this. We bought a baby greenhouse, but it just isn't practical (too small for extending a growing season).

Thanks!

Here are some pictures of the clamps and how we attached the end walls.
To attach the end wall into the first hoop we just cut a notch in the studs and used plumbers tape to hold it. It doesn't look to professional but it works and has held though some decent wind storms.


Here are some pictures of the clamps.



I don't know where are were bought our clamps but here is a place that sells them.Cross Connector for Purlin | Miscellaneous Accessories | Growers Solution


I couldn't find any pictures of the rollup sides so I'll have to take some.

 

[mojoinco]

Thanks!
I can add this to my list of 237 things to keep in mind when I come across materials. We bought an almost useless greenhouse last year (used). With similar weather (not as wet, and not that cold for very long) as Rochester, it doesn't help much.

But a large 'season extender' would be a lot of help here in hail land.

 

[looknlearn]

Thanks!
I can add this to my list of 237 things to keep in mind when I come across materials. We bought an almost useless greenhouse last year (used). With similar weather (not as wet, and not that cold for very long) as Rochester, it doesn't help much.

But a large 'season extender' would be a lot of help here in hail land.

Some things to think about. I don't know what kind of sun you get, but the hoophouse does not warm up much at all on a cloudy day. On the other hand a good sunny day even in winter will warm it considerably. In the summer it is hard to keep it cool enough, thus the roll-up sides.
Another thing is, you mentioned hail. I don't know what size hail you get, and you might have experience with hail and your small hoophouse already but it might damage the plastic on the hoophouse. We do not get much hail here or hail of a large size so I don't know how they take it.