What I Use for My Hoop House Cover...and Why?

I was asked a question about a hoop house cover and what type to use. The answer is going to depend on what your overall goal is but it will be different for different types of plants. I you have more tropical plants then you will want a clear plastic to let more light and heat in. If you have landscape plants then you will want a white plastic that blocks sun and keeps the plants cold during the winter. I use a 50% shade cloth which is actual a plastic film that blocks about 1/2 the sunlight that hits it. I leave the ends of my hoop house open so that the heat can't build up inside. This prevents fast early frosts and freezing temps from killing my landscape plants but allows them to freeze more gradually and adapt to the colder temperatures more slowly.

Products I Use Frequently:

[MikeKincaid]

Hey guys, this was a huge issue for me in the beginning when trying to decide what type of plastic to go with for my hoop house covering. Hopefully you can learn from my experiences and choose the right plastic from the start.

[tommyknockerparanormalinc]

Very cool, thank you.
I was thinking of building a hoop house, partially underground, as soon as the ground thaws to finish my digging i started, but now Im realizing I really need a greenhouse for my tropical fruit trees as I live in frigid Canada. Thanks so much for the helpful info. My Two new Rhodies I got, survived a brutal winter out here, but look rough, Ill make just a little hoop cold frame for them.

[GardenObsessions]

Mike Kincaid I just wanted to give you an update on the two figs I told you about. Strawberry verte and raspberry latte. I have four cuttings and want you to know that your method is outstanding. Day 20 and I can see some thick roots through the cups. I know I know you said patience but I couldn’t help myself. I know you said you didn’t have those varieties but since I have four cuttings as soon as they get big enough I’ll send you a cutting from each or maybe the two plants I have I haven’t decided how much room we will have when we move to a new place. Thanks for everything!

[MRBILLEB]

Wow! I have learned so much. Where were you 40 years ago when I received my basic horticulture degree. You can make a great teacher all around.

[grahamallen]

Good advice thanks Mike. I have a greenhouse but would love to have a hoop house as well but not enough room in my very small garden! All the best, Graham🇬🇧🇬🇧

[RedRabbitOfficial]

Great info, been thinking about this topic. Could not figured out which one to go with greenhouse or hoop house.

[terrygaedchens]

Your perforated sheath air venting, sounds like an effective temperature control option. Worth investing $ and energy into.

[camicri]

Great explanation! Thanks Mike I never looked into it and didn't know the difference! Good to see you as well! Have a great weekend! Hugs! 💜🌱
P.s. miss Johnny! 😆

[rosefl]

Tnks for the info. You made it so easy to understand.

[michaelosteen]

are you planning on doing a video on how you built your hoop house? If not, can you tell me which direction to face the longsides? How you have your shade cloth mounted on the top without using a hip board? Where you can buy 50% white shade cloth woven material? All I see is knitted shade cloth which allows water to pass through it? Member and currently working on making my propagation frame you designed. Great video! Thanks, Mike.

[doloresenriquez]

Hi Mike, love your videos, moved to Troutdale a couple years ago and have learned so much about growing and propagating which I totally love. My question for is I want a greenhouse to grow vegetables during the winter months but the winds are very strong here. Any suggestions on how to build one that will withstands these winds?
Thanks

[MrBNaylor]

I think my question would be, what’s best for trying to start from seed and or for propagating? I have a small little green house four foot tall, 3 feet deep and four feet wide and has clear plastic on top that can open and close for a lid. However, this offers no protection from direct sun and would fry my new cuttings (I believe)? Could I just get some 55% white plastic to use as over head protection when doing propagation? Great video Mike. Spring is here and thanks for all the work that you do, very inspired by your videos. Cheers

[gardennorthwest]

Good info Mike!
I wonder if your Gazebo Lady has an existing wooden frame? Rigid panels -- Fiberglass, polycarbonate, double acrylic etc., might look pretty sweet.

[luke-nt]

Mike, you mentioned how you keep your rhododendrons in your hoop house winter and summer and how you deal with the temperature changes. My question: how old are your rhododendrons before they leave the hoop house and you permanently plant them in the ground?

[dorothyfu]

Mike: Regarding you cold frame, I always wondered whether the direction of your tunnel is important to you. If so, is your tunnel aligned North-South, or East-West? And for what reason? Did you have it installed? Or did you do it yourself?

[CurrentWay]

Great stuff, Mike! I am inspired and just started rose & hydrangea cuttings.. What bottom layer material do you use for hoop house? Appears woven, and weed barrier. And, how often do you have to replace the ground fabric - and plastic on your hoop house. Thank you! amazing work.

[drewberrynews]

I agree with you in principal however with a bit of planning your hoop house you may be able to create a hybrid, something between a hoop house and a green house with modern ideas. Your advise on deciding on want you want inside is critical before planning your build

[RealDealNeal]

Not sure if this is the right place to put a question. However, I live in a townhouse and would like start propagating, but I don't have land. Garage is to cold in the winter here in Illinois. So I have a basement. Will shelves and shop lights do? Just trying to get petunias through the IL winter.

[reneeward]

Is your hoop house made with pvc or metal pipe? How wide is your hoop house and how far apart are the supports? Thanks for all your videos.!

[jimsgardenproject]

You say you’ve branched out to some other things. So do you also have a greenhouse? If not, where do you store the more cold tender plants