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Greenhouses & Garden Structures

what to do with the hfgh untill next fall?

16 years ago

after overwintering all the plants with only losing one cane type of plant how do I protect this green house here in central virginia during the summer?

should I keep the exaust fan running all the time now?

should I remove the panels?

just cover it up with a tarp?

I don't have a shade cloth and I didn't need to use one this spring. I have had the exhaust fan set to about 85 and I have hit the upper 80's a couple of times ouside and the inside temp has only been above 90 one time.

if I remove the roof vents only will that cause any wind problems later on when the strong thunder storms show up?

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Comments (3)

greenhouser
16 years ago
I cover my small HFGH with a shade over and leave the vents only open a few inches. I've about taken all the plants out of it for the summer. I'll wash it inside and out with Palmolive soap before covering it to protect the polycarb. When storms are due I shut the vents and door.
oakhill (zone 9A, Calif.)
16 years ago
An 80% shade cloth cover, to not only reduce the heat load but also extend the life of your polycarbonate, would probably be less expensive than running electrical exhaust fans all summer. Leave the door open unless there are storms coming. Removing and later reinstalling the poly panels could cause problems with the fittings over time.
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troykd
16 years ago
I'm in SE Virginia (Williamsburg). Last summer I left the doors open and had a shade cloth over my 10x12 (I think it's 70%). Even with the exhaust fan and intake running it would still get hot sometimes. I've added a circulating fan at about the 7' level on a shelf which feels like it's making a difference. For a change, I'm growing 3 rows of corn on the South side of the GH to provide shade at the height of summer.

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