Hoop House Winter Farming

Growing plants during winter season can be easier and effective with hoop houses.

These high tunnels are ideal to grow crops without worrying about the constant changing of temperature or weather condition.

Hoop house winter farming can be a great option to cultivate any vegetable or plant even during winter season. As compared to growing in an open area, hoop houses can secure your plants from different pests and temperature. In most cases, transplants and seeds are grown in the soil rather than in pots or tables.

Creating Hoop Houses for Winter Farming

If you want a gardening activity beyond the ordinary growing season, getting more facts about hot bed or cold frame is a must. Cold frames are similar to mini-greenhouses that are effective in heating your garden bed. Hoop houses, just like greenhouses are created with frame. These are built with arched supports with clear plastic to get solar energy. To create hoop houses, you need to look for a location. Make sure that you get at least 10x10 feet space. Then, measure the rebar posts and sink them. You also need to attach the ridge pipe to its corresponding connector. You also need to use slide plastic for its frame.

Things to Consider

Hoop houses winter farming will be more comfortable and effective if you have a perfect place to grow your crops. To have an ideal spot for your crops, you need to consider its costs. You also need to ensure that your hoop houses are built with durable materials. You can also place an east-west sitting to provide an adequate sun exposure. Before making your own hoop houses for winter farming, some states require a building permit. This is often observed if you have a cemented hoop houses. If you have a temporary structure, then you don’t need a building permit.

Benefits of Hoop Houses

One of the main benefits of these hoop houses is disease control. Since they are equipped with plastic cover, it serves as an obstacle against evaporation of soil moisture. Early morning ventilation also helps in reducing relative humidity. It means that your crops are dry day and night. With its low humidity, the leaves of the plant remain dry and that impedes the incidence of spreading diseases. These hoop houses also allow a grower to plant and harvest even if it is raining.

Possible Crops for Hoop Houses Winter Farming

Most farmers are free to pick any crop they want. In most cases, they prefer to cultivate tomatoes, summer squash, muskmelons, cucumbers, pepper, leafy green crops and broccoli. Other farmers also decide to grow different herbs, vegetables and fruits. You can grow any plant you desire. It is just a matter on how you take good care of your crops.

1 Comment

  • Sydney said on December 11, 2012
    I want to start market gardening and a poultry project in Zimbabwe. What i require is the technical knowledge: which vegetables can be grown during which month, fertilizing, capital requirements,etc.

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