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I know this is a little early but I have been trying to think of ideas for my Hoop house or mini greenouse, for my seedlings. The only plan I have right now which will work is I am going to use old pallet box boards off my dads farm and make a faily large cold frame like the one Len Stellpflug makes. This works good and keeps the heat in but how can get the heat out and keep good ventilation in the cold frame, during the day. Iam at school from 7:45 in the morning till 4:00 in the afternoon so I need this cold frame to maintain a warm temperature yet not overheat. I don't want to spend much on equiptment like small thermostats and automatic vents, but I think I might have to. If theres a good way to do this please help, Just can't stop thinking of Ideas.

1/25/2005 5:22:23 PM

Ontario, Canada.

auto vent openers that I purchased from Lee Valley.http://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=16954

1/25/2005 5:49:04 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

I'm like you in that I don't want to get a lot of automated
stuff, but I've found that if the plants stay moist, they
handle the heat just fine. Its when they run out of water
that they turn into a limp noodle.

Mulch is very important. Last year I had some plants that had
a black fabric weed mat (a synthetic mulch) and others that
did not. The ones without were constantly getting dehydrated
in the hoop house heat. When I outfitted them with a weed mat,
the problem went away.

Perhaps a mulch, along with a sprinkler timer, if you can
get one that will turn the water on 5 minutes every hour,
this would be all the cooling you need. Perhaps... I'd hate
to have a system failure on the sprinkler.

Last year I made some dome shaped hoop houses, and I thought
they worked great! - http://idahopumpkin.tripod.com/

1/25/2005 6:13:00 PM

Bristol, ME ([email protected])

You might look into the kind of a design in this link where you fold the ends down and you have your ventilation...

http://www.mainepumpkins.com/hoophouse.html

1/26/2005 5:27:18 AM

Www.extremepumpkinstore.com

Bill, you site rocks bro.
Tom

1/26/2005 7:34:08 AM

No Place Special

Very nice Bill!!!!

1/26/2005 10:27:49 AM

Garden State Pumpkins

Real Nice! Lil Bill!!! How's the Big Guy!

1/26/2005 11:42:28 AM

Thanks for the help. Very awesome site. I am thinking of setting up a misting hose that can run under the houses and be put on a timer, or I can put a mini fan on top like one that cools a computer, and hook them all up to an extension cord with an electric timer. If I don't get the time I think I will just cut holes in the plastic and see how that works, but I really like the automatic vent system.

1/26/2005 11:48:30 AM

Bristol, ME ([email protected])

kyle, I've found that if you pay attention to the forecast, and fold down each end with with regard tothe days temperature, you get plenty of cross vent to not cause a problem. If it's real warm, i.e. 80's, then you can even drop the ends to the ground. I've used this method for 3 years and have not burned a leaf yet. Also, in a 6' hoop, your plant is small enough that watering by a can is very easy without hooking up misters and such.

Glad you guys like the site...

1/26/2005 12:01:12 PM

Rexburg, Idaho

"If you pay attention to the forecast" don't listen to the ones around here it a good way to either cook or freeze your plants.

1/26/2005 3:57:00 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

For the overnight low, take whatever they say and subtract,
oh, about 7 degrees from that. That is what you have to plan
for.

1/28/2005 10:43:17 AM

Montoursville, PA

So far I like my big clear plastic covered box. I can vent it with my knife and close it back up with the world famous duct tape. You may see the box in my diary. 2003 shows the construction best.

1/30/2005 9:16:36 AM