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Beach Park, IL.

I have my young seedlings in the ground now inside a hoophouse. It is suppose to be in the 8o's tomorrow, and gusts of wind possibly 30-45 mph. I don't know what to do. I want to let in some air so they don't fry inside the hoophouse, but I don't want the heavy winds to get in and damage them. Would just opening a little bit on the top on one or both ends work to let in just a little bit of air, or would it be detrimental no matter how much opening I give???

6/6/2007 8:03:07 PM

Leicester, NY

I have found that opening both ends often leads to a wind tunnel effect and doesn't help much. You could open one end, but if winds are swirling, you might end up with a parachute and the whole thing blows away. I’m just guessing on that, never had that happen to me, lol! I would uncap it. Open up the top extensively to maintain wind protection and let the heat out. If it starts getting too hot in there, cool it down with some misting.

6/6/2007 9:16:43 PM

Hayes,Virginia

Hey Tacotac can you get your hands on some argiculture wrap.
if you can you make a quick wind breaker with fence post and wrap.or fence post and tarps.
I use the wrap all the time here,it gets to hot in the hoop houses 90s here the next few days.
living close to the bay wind is always a issue.

Joe is right on the money about the wind tunnel effect.wouldn't go that route.
good luck

6/6/2007 9:39:34 PM

Beach Park, IL.

Could you explain more about the wind tunnel effect??

6/6/2007 10:54:13 PM

Hudsonville, Michigan ([email protected])

Taco:

When wind is forced between inanimate objects it must speed up. i.e. when a 10mph wind is forced between two buildings the volume of the gas must now be forced through a smaller space and thus the 10mph becomes much higher. When we put up windbreaks in our patches we have to be careful of the aerodynamics - how the wind will curl around the break and fill the space behind. If you open up both ends and the wind is blowing just right you may be directing the wind right at your plant.(Depends on the wind direction.) Definitely open the top of your houses in anything over 70 degrees F. I sometimes remove half of the remay on my houses this time of year and use the remaining side on the windward side of the plant. That way no heat is trapped but hopefully the wind is forced over the top of the plant. This is the worst time of year for wind damage...plants are not rooted down at the nodes yet and high winds will hit for the next couple of weeks. Also, bury vines as soon as you can to anchor the plant against wind damage...
Good luck. We are getting much the same as you are today. I spent last night putting up a series of windbreaks.

6/7/2007 7:14:09 AM

Leicester, NY

If one could always open up the hoophouse ends perpendicular to the winds, things would be fine. Otherwise, it seems the winds blow right though unimpeded. If it’s better for you to open up the ends, just put some wind protection (perhaps some silt fencing) near opening. That works fine.

6/7/2007 7:38:52 AM

Beach Park, IL.

Thanks. I know the hoop house goes east-west, and the winds are mostly coming from the south. Don't know if that will help or not.

6/7/2007 8:53:06 AM

Little-TON - Colorado

Im hoping that Eddy the Iceman releases his plane for those hoop house that can withstand the winds......

We have had gusts hitting 65-70 MPH...... It's rotten when the wind takes out the hoop house and the hoop house takes out the pumpkin.

6/7/2007 12:53:11 PM

Beach Park, IL.

OH MY!! That would be terrible!! So far everything is going ok in my hoop house. I have a summer class that starts at 8 am, and is about 5 hrs. long, but next week is my last week. I feel good that I am at home now to keep an eye on everything. I had left maybe a 3-4 inch opening on each end, and it doesn't seem to be affecting them, thank goodness. A little warm in there, when I got home I coiled the soaked hose around them and turned it on low to keep them wet and cool, as one seedling was weeping just a bit. We have well water, so it should be nice and cold for them.

6/7/2007 2:28:50 PM

Mount Prospect,illinois

Now they are talking 80-90mph wind gusts tonight in the Chicago area!!! Hold on to your hats!!! Never had that level of winds before around here.

6/7/2007 6:55:09 PM

Littleton, Colo

You folks watch NASCAR ?? See the roof hatches on top of the cars?? Just hit me !! Open the top of your hoop house just like to the top of the race cars !! Yhe Biz

6/7/2007 11:47:17 PM

Littleton, Colo

Sorry folks...I ment 'The Biz"

6/7/2007 11:51:07 PM

Midwest

I agree with Ed (Mr.D&Me). With hoop houses, there are several issues that become troublesome. like temperature,the 'tunnel' effect and blowing down in strong winds. Lot's of people use them though and learn from experience to contruct them perpendicular to the prevailing west-east wind. For me, an open-air cold frame works great. It breaks the wind, is open to the air and shields the plants from bugs.

6/8/2007 2:34:48 PM