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Northern Alabama

Hey all, I took the year off growing and am coming back to see a bunch of awesome fruit grown this year and it’s got me ready to think about next year. I’ve finally decided to go to a hoop house to have a little more control over my fruit conditions due to plant after plant going down for the last 4 years in a row due to hail, storms, excess rain and growth splits, and insects. I’m working on putting my hoop house together and I have room for two plants and plan on doing plastic over the top to control watering better and screen on the sides for airflow . Being in Alabama, shade is a must and I have some 30% shade netting already and was wondering if anybody had used shade netting over top of plastic and if enough sunlight gets through or if that is too much shade. I am working on a large hoop that attaches to the netting so I can pull it back on shady days already but I’m mainly concerned about sunny days where the shade and plastic compounding may block too much. Anyone with any info or input would help.

10/9/2025 12:32:58 PM

Grittyville, WA

I think up to 50% shade is ok. Good luck. I am not sure what the absolute optimum would be but a setup like that is worth a try, should give u better results. Its similar to what I am doing for my tomato hut. I don't know if some other setup might be better.

10/10/2025 4:22:03 AM

Bethlehem CT

That should work for you, I know other growers use that technique. The greenhouse plastic just blocks a small percentage of usable light. https://www.bigpumpkins.com/Diary/DiaryViewOne.asp?eid=333111

10/10/2025 7:17:48 AM

Syracuse, NY

To all whom read this:
If it were up to me, I'd have about 5 grand to
1. Create a GH out of PVC pipe for an area of 32 feet wide X 200 feet long,
massively-reinforced and with these 3 coverings:
1. Plain ol' window screen - Nylon;
2. Floating row cover @ .55 oz./sq. yard with 90% light transmission and
3. Clear GH plastic that would definitely be able to withstand more than one season,
as it'd be the outermost cover and probably the hardest to put on/remove.
These layers would be removed in reverse throughout the season, where the screen might stay on the whole time.
Initially, all three would retain all heat for late frosts and early-on winds that mellow out over the summer,
as well as the fact that the watering is minimal early-on and its need increases as time passes.
Plastic comes off, FRC and screen will retain lesser heat and provide maximum insect and hail protection and such;
Heat starts building up too much, still need protections, FRC comes off and I doubt screen would present any heat
retention/light transmission issues from there-on and watering is supplemented by Ma Nature. I have never had a problem
with too much sun. Maybe it's my angle to it, lol.
Then the alarm clock goes off, lol. Just my thoughts. eric g

10/10/2025 10:16:14 PM