I agree...humanity is the cause of a lot of problems in this country...but not your raised bed bird issue. If your asking about humidity, the real garden experts will need to answer.

Sorry...I couldn't resist...

Actually, if you keep some humanity around your plants, it could probably chase the birds away!

Sorry about that typo, haha.

I think it depends on what is being eaten and when. Last year I covered my winter squash beds to protect from squash and cucumber bugs. I kept the Agribon on until mid-July. I'm in NH and our summer was kind of dry. If birds are getting seedlings, I think Agribon or similar garden fabric would help.

I have a high tunnel where I've ended up growing great peppers and tomatoes even though it was originally meant for late fall and early winter veggies. We roll the sides up in summer and keep the double front doors open but it still gets very hot under the plastic roof - easily 100 some days. So I think it's over 100 degree temps that would be a problem for some of your veggies if the structure is completely enclosed. Mine usually heats up by 10am and by noon is unbearable. Yet the only completely closed end is on the east. I do have birds flying in and out but not a lot. Since rain doesn't fall on the plants, I have to water and still use a sprinkler. Because sides are open, humidity is not a problem. I think my high tunnel is 16 x 24, wood structure covered in 6mm greenhouse plastic.

I would use Agribon instead of plastic on 4x4 beds. There are designs where the low tunnel can have a hinged side. Otherwise, you'll have trouble harvesting. A neighbor who uses bird netting on blueberry bushes has to check daily for birds that get caught in the netting. At a permaculture farm, I saw a strawberry bed built like a cold frame but sides and top was wire so birds etc couldn't get at the berries.

I have seen spinning reflective tape/spinners used to scare birds but haven't used it. We have a lot of birds including wild turkeys but they don't seem to bother the plants. Perhaps you have something else eating things?

Did you consider to use nets instead of plastic? I grow my cucumbers and peppers in screen house and cover almost everything else with tulle over hoops.

I think the answer to your question is airflow or lack thereof. Think about the last time you were in a "big" greenhouse, notice the "big" fans along one end? Keep the air moving and you'll definitely control moisture issues. Are you willing to put a humidistat in to turn a fan on and off? I know a lot of folks who have purchased small greenhouses, set them up, planted things and did not have any automatic provision to vent heat or moisture. The cost of the greenhouse and labor to erect were wasted. Useful in the fall perhaps to extend growing season.

I would suggest going with netting, three 4X4 areas wouldn't be that expensive or difficult to protect. Additional benefit would be some protection from sun scald, etc. also watering and observation would be easy.

I agree with the netting and I use that on one of my raised beds. It keeps birds and rodents(which can do far more damage) out and it's cheap. The greenhouse idea is ok if you want to keep growing your fall crops into the winter, but too hot for summer.

I also use a summer weight cover that I found on gardeners.com. I use this on my kale. It protects from insects and everything else, and it breathes very well, so no heat buildup. The only pain is that it needs to be removed for harvest and watering. It is permeable enough to allow rain to pass through it though.

Big differences between a greenhouse and hoop house/ tunnels. And many different fabrics are available to use on hoops/tunnels other than plastic. Plastic is the last resort and only for cold weather use. Others have mentioned screening and there is also bird netting, insect barrier fabric, tulle, various weights of Agribond and other brands of fiberglass row covers, etc. Search 'hoop house' here for all sorts of discussions about building them and coverings used. Humidity isn't the primary issue, trapped heat is the primary concern and must be avoided.

Dave

Ryan - you can cover the hoops with plastic in the winter and netting in the summer.

BTW it would be helpful if you told people where you are so they don't recommend things which don't apply to you.

Here is what my hoop house structure looks like, with the three beds. You guys think the Agribon would be better than the greenhouse plastic during the summer? Is the Agribon durable enough to keep out rodents and other mammals?

Could it be used to cover the hoop house?

Thanks.

I am in zone 7A.

Keeping out rodents and other mammals is a very different thing then keeping out birds as you originally posted.

Agribon works fine for birds.

But no Agribon won't keep out all rodents and mammals but then neither would plastic. Even screening and fencing won't always work for them as long as they can climb it or go under it.

So what specific rodents and/or mammals are the problem?

Dave

Well, I am not really sure what ate all my plants. Would you know if these look like the work of birds?

http://forums2.gardenweb.com/discussions/3956967/what-the-heck-happened-to-my-garden

There are no tracks of any mammals in the garden, but I do see a groundhog roam the yard from time to time.