On 29 Dec 2003 07:55:47 -0800,
(simy1) wrote:
The neighbor has two 40X40 (all units in feet here and after) sheets
of clear poly that he will give me, since he sees that I have tunnels
for my winter vegetables (this year I will get to harvest until end of
january at least, he actually told me as I was getting back into the
house with a paint bucket full of just picked radicchio). I just love
these hot stove projects, but before I embark in it, a question or two
for those who have built hoophouses.
1) those sheets are clearly very large. If used without cutting, they
will cover a 24X38 area, with a maximum height of 12. That is an
unusually wide hoophouse.
That would be quite large. Try this link for a 12x14 foot green
house. I built one of these and have been happy with it. The width
is pretty much set by what one can do with PVC pipe, but the length is
arbitrary. One could easily make it 28 foot or longer if you have the
room. I'm planning to set up a second one. I did not do anything to
heat the house, and was picking vine ripe tomatoes on December 7th in
zone 6.
http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/ext...greenhouse.pdf
I modified the design a bit. Also, double check the amount of wood on
the check list for the ends of the hoop house. IIRC there was only
enough listed for One end!
2) I think I want to use PVC pipes, glued with plumbing solvent. The
question is, can I make them withstand a windstorm or snowstorm. I
have seen lots of pages on the web, so I have seen what can be done.
Amongst other solutions, I noticed that there were hoophouses with
poles supporting the central beam, and of course one can always anchor
the hoops to the ground. I guess I am more concerned about the snow
than the wind.
3) I am thinking about getting a double layer of poly for extra
insulation. Any experience with that? I would need a double hoophouse.
4) I plan to make two trap doors at opposite ends, and have one set of
doors with poly and another with chicken wire. Will there be enough
ventilation with the chicken wire doors in place?