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Greene County, Pa.

I was wondering what kind of plastic should i buy for my hoophouses. Should it be clear?

BuddyG

1/16/2004 10:14:20 AM

Montoursville, PA

Buddy........We have greenhouse suppliers in Pa. Check your local "hoop" house professional greenhouse managers. Mail order is well represented by: Charley's Greenhouse & Garden.

I think a plastic that is UV Protected is more important for several years use. Remember you are using it for a very short period of time. I would think heavy mills like at least 6 mill and UV protected. After that price only. I expect to get three years out of covered frames using non-treated for UV el-cheep'o hardware store stuff.

1/16/2004 10:36:36 AM

Wood River, Nebraska

BuddyG, the white plumbing type holds it's shape better than the grey PVC used for electrical instalations. The grey PVC distorts easily at lower temperatures than the white.

1/16/2004 11:18:50 AM

I bought 6 mm plastic at the local hardware store last year. It comes in a big roll. However, Tom B suggested to me to just go to a local greenhouse. They frequently re-plastic, and you can just ask them for their old stuff. That's what I plan on doing one of these days.

1/16/2004 1:17:18 PM

Columbus Ohio

I bought my plastic from www.gothicgreenhouses.com
They have a good variety of UV protected plastics and ship quickly.
I have used mine 2 years and I think I will get atleast another 3 or 4 out of it.
John

1/16/2004 2:35:09 PM

Walkerton Ont

i use plasic that was only 3 mill last year, It worked well, it was warm in there, this year i am using 6 mil plastic

1/16/2004 3:03:52 PM

[email protected]

I used clear UV stabilized 6 mil greenhouse grade poly for our greenhouse. But I didn't have enough to do the smaller cloches with it. So I picked up smaller clear 6 mil plastic sheeting from Home Depot for the cloches. They looked the same at first, but clouded over slightly after a couple months. Only this past week, with all the cold & windy weather, did I notice that one of the cloche covers has ripped all to pieces. The other one is still intact, but it "feels" like it could go any time now.

I'll use the same garbage to recover the cloches.again this year. But I wouldn't use it for more permanant uses.

I think your decision must be made based on how long you want the covers to last.

http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/

You can get good plastic from many sources. But this place has a "resource center". Navigate to it & look for "Greenhouse Calculators". There is some very useful information there.

Steve

1/17/2004 5:30:04 AM

Greene County, Pa.

Thanks for all your help....

BuddyG

1/17/2004 8:56:45 AM

Joliet, IL

tremor,
they do have nice products at the littlegreenhouse
site. i was using their portable dome 6'x 10'
greenhouses for ideas on how to construct a solid
easy-put-together-take-apart hoop house with good
ventilation so i could have the confidence of it holding
up in severe weather. after seeing how nicely they
have made it, i thought that after doing my takes i will
treat myself and buy one and then copy it with my
own supplies. then i found out a was getting $1000
more than i thought in a tax refund and i said what the
hell and bought 3 of them. i will post pictures in the
spring when they are up and give some product review
whether they seem worth the money or not. $280 each
is pricey, but what the hell, i only live once and i
am already thinking how nice and warm that soil will be
all spring long. now i expect to here some posts saying
how silly i am for spending that type of money.
and i would have to agree. damn pumpkins.

1/17/2004 11:34:36 PM

Puyallup, WA

BuddyG,
I buy 6 mil from Home Depot $39.95 for a 20' X 100'.
The reason I buy the "cheap stuff" is because I cut holes in the sides for the secondarys to grow out. This allows me to keep most of the plant "under plastic" for additional two weeks. That is important if one has "wind issues" as we do the first two weeks in June.

1/18/2004 12:14:18 AM

[email protected]

Shazzy, I agree they have nice stuff for us "enthusiasts". Plus it's sized for noncommercial customers. In a prior life I had to build several 30+' wide commercial hoop houses. Not fun. And the hardware & accessories wouldn't make sense for us. Be careful to ventilate properly. I overheated the plants last year when the sun peaked out unexpectedly. I have a nice louvered fan from Grainger. Darn thing was about $189 when new but was never used & we were going to toss it.
I still need the thermostat & believe I'll get off for about $45.00 for a wet environment model.

Stan, I agree with Home Depot plastic for cloches. It would be a shame to cut the good stuff for ventilation.

1/18/2004 7:26:27 AM

Montoursville, PA

Shazzy.........I love it! Use your talents to your finest satisfaction. Opinions are like an "a doubble scrible hole". Every one has one. Your's is the only one that counts!!! :)

1/18/2004 10:55:14 AM