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New Hampshire

I have my hoop house door and window open 24x7 now, however the heat has jumped to 100+ today. With the forecast for NH looking at 80s and 90 by next Tuesday - when would you remove the hoop house completely? I didn't design as a full convertible so it's either on or off. I'm leaning towards off at this point (about a week earlier than anticipated). Thoughts? Thanks! Good luck with your season!

5/20/2010 8:48:44 PM

New York

I took the plastic off my hoop houses this morning with the intention of keeping it off until next week at least. Even with both ends open it got too hot inside. Personally I would go ahead and remove it, better to do a little extra work than have the plants broiled.

5/20/2010 9:17:16 PM

Middle TN

I battled heat in my hoop too. Even when the temp was only 75-80 outside, the inside temp sky rocketed. I opened both ends, put in a couple fans and even got so desperate as to put in buckets of ice, but it was still too hot. I ended up having to remove the plastic. Thats what I should have done to begin with. So my vote goes to 'take it off'
Good Luck
Tammy

5/20/2010 9:23:14 PM

Ohio

how hot is too hot in a hoop house?

5/20/2010 10:34:23 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

Over 90 and you are in the danger zone!!! I put plastic onto my hoop houses, w/the idea of being able to take it off and put it back on as weather conditions change!!! I think Tom still sells the lil pvc clamps!!! On windy days, I gotta skrew them clamps onto my pvc hoopdie, on warm days the skrews come out, the clamps come off, and the plastic is off!!! Other folks use binder clips, and I have seen those w/ skrews threw them into the pvc!!! Be inventive, and able to adjust!!! Peace, Wayne

5/21/2010 12:27:07 AM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

Acco Brand 72100 I think, are big enough to go on 1/2" PVC pipe. They are not cheap however. But man they are fast, for putting and holding down your hoop plastic. Even after I take the plastic off, I keep it around for a few more weeks for dragging over and quick clipping in case of hailstorm imminent...

5/21/2010 12:51:55 AM

Middle TN

best thing I found for clipping plastic to pvc is 'giant clothes pins' I dont know why theyre called that cause they dont look anything at all like a clothes pin. They look more like a clamp. They are located in the laundry aisle though. Best part is I found them at the dollar tree, 6 of them for a dollar. Im gonna pick up some more when I go back :)
Tammy

5/21/2010 1:22:10 AM

Middle TN

I use these clips for everything imaginable!

you can see them here..
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=129872

and a close up here...
http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=128526

5/21/2010 1:36:50 AM

43.841677 , -79.086692

My thermometers read 120 yesterday. Dont trust them. They only give accurate readings when there is no direct sunlight. On hot sunny days I prop up one side 6" and have to openers open too. May say 120 inside but trust me it is not.

5/21/2010 8:52:06 AM

Buffalo, New York

i only had the ends open until today, with the ends open today, the temps were over 90, so i sliced them along the top and folded the tops down........
i like to try to keep it under 90 in them.

5/21/2010 5:03:05 PM

Bristol R.I. USA

I open them right up. Even take the soil off the sides. I do believe that the danger of frost is gone and if it comes back I'll just have to re bury them. It's the best way I know to get the air able to run through the entire hoophouse. Its hot here so I don't think the benafit of the hoophouses will do anything other then shield them from any potential surge of wind.

5/21/2010 5:11:04 PM

Joliet, IL

at 95 degrees inside my greenhouses last weekend i got one burnt leaf on just one plant. it was my fault from not venting enough on a predicted cloudy day that got bright and sunny while i was fishing. stress is one thing, but once a leaf gets the leathery dark wilt to it, it is toasted and will look deformed as it continues to grow. it is going up to 90 here tomorrow and my greenhouses are coming down today cuz hot temps predicted all week here.
as far as acclimating plants to high heat once hoops are removed, a small shade cloth over each plant works nice, misting is a good idea whether done by hand or with a timer system, and you can always throw a lawn chair or small table over the main vine tip during the hottest and brightest part of the day like from 11-4. a burnt leaf is not a big deal. a burnt main vine tip can be a big deal if it gets toasted too bad.

5/22/2010 8:37:56 AM