Greenhouse Maintenance, WP Migration

How Sweet! We skinned a greenhouse for use in fall production.

Posted on by Farmer
This past Monday we pulled plastic over Greenhouse #5 and are ready to hand dig the beds and amend with vermicompost. Our worms have been making some beautiful compost so our plan is to layoff the rows then add in compost to those rows.
This is my first time trying to document us covering a greenhouse because normally we are much too busy making sure the plastic doesn’t blow away.  We are using a double poly layer for this greenhouse because it insulates the greenhouse better in extreme hot and cold temperatures.  A double poly greenhouse has two layers of plastic using air blown in from the outdoors as insulation between the layers of plastic.  An “Inflation Fan” is used, that constantly runs, keeping air filled in between the layers of plastic.  We tried using a single poly layer on the greenhouse where we are currently growing sweet bell peppers and are noticing a lot of sun scalding that we didn’t have when growing peppers in our other greenhouses with a double poly layer.  We are not certain the problem with our peppers is because of higher summer temperatures due to global warming or because we don’t have a double poly layer on this greenhouse.
The first process of covering our greenhouse is to prep the site and gather all the tools required for covering so we are not hunting for tools or parts once the plastic has been pulled.  Once you pull the plastic it should be secured as quickly as possible because a gust of wind can cause the plastic to end up in the trees. Plastic is a big investment.  We locate all the tools and get the site ready the day prior to skinning the greenhouse because we like to skin the greenhouse early in the morning before the afternoon winds pick up. The tools gathered and ready include: the jig, plastic, rope for pulling the plastic, 1 inch x 3 inch x4 foot for securing the plastic to be pulled, drill with drywall screw bit, drywall screws for securing the boards and plastic, enough kwic-clips for securing the plastic to the greenhouse frame, channel pliers (in case you need to undo the clips, 2 rubber mallets (for ensuring the clips are securely fastened to the greenhouse), push broom for pushing the first layer of plastic along so that it does not drop in-between the bows. Gloves for the folks pulling the plastic, a ladder for the person making sure there is tension on the roll of plastic as it is being pulled, a scaffold at the end for the person pulling the plastic, probably miscellaneous things I am forgetting.
The jig, used for hoisting up the roll of plastic, in front of Greenhouse #5. (The jig broke while raising the roll of plastic for our second layer, and nearly killed Justin, because he was standing underneath the roll of plastic supporting it with his hands as we cranked it up. The next time, before attempting to cover another greenhouse, we need to be sure the pulleys are lubed and in working condition.)
The jig, used for hoisting up the roll of plastic, in front of Greenhouse #5. (The jig broke while raising the roll of plastic for our second layer, and nearly killed Justin, because he was standing underneath the roll of plastic supporting it with his hands as we cranked it up. The next time, before attempting to cover another greenhouse, we need to be sure the pulleys are lubed and in working condition.)
Positioning the plastic roll before pulling our first layer of greenhouse plastic. Notice Carl had to climb up the jig because the cranks weren’t working correctly. We try to get the plastic above the greenhouse so that we can have two people at the opposite end pulling the plastic.
Positioning the plastic roll before pulling our first layer of greenhouse plastic. Notice Carl had to climb up the jig because the cranks weren’t working correctly. We try to get the plastic above the greenhouse so that we can have two people at the opposite end pulling the plastic.
The praying mantis is a beneficial insect for us and we are thankful that they are all over the farm!
The praying mantis is a beneficial insect for us and we are thankful that they chose this farm for their home!
Ready to pull our second layer of plastic. Danielle on the ladder to keep tension on the roll of plastic as it is being pulled. I’m holding the ladder for Danielle just so she doesn’t fall because our ground is not very level. Townes, the tallest of us all, will be using the push broom to keep the plastic from falling in between the bows as it is being pulled, and Tony holding down the plastic so it doesn’t fly away.
Ready to pull our first layer of plastic. Danielle on the ladder to keep tension on the roll of plastic as it is being pulled. I’m holding the ladder for Danielle just so she doesn’t fall because our ground is not very level. Townes, the tallest of us all, will be using the push broom to keep the plastic from falling in between the bows as it is being pulled, and finally Tony holding Danielle and the jig steady while Carl and Justin pull the plastic.
Carl pulling our second layer of plastic.
Carl pulling our second layer of plastic.
Carl and Justin pulling our second layer of plastic. It takes a lot of strength to pull the plastic over a 96 foot distance so yes; it does take two people to pull the plastic.
Carl and Justin pulling our second layer of plastic. It takes a lot of strength to pull the plastic over a 96 foot distance so yes; it does take two people to pull the plastic.
Townes using the push broom in keeping the plastic moving by pushing it up over the bows so that the plastic doesn’t drop down in between the bows. Once we begin pulling the plastic, you want to keep momentum up, which is why you don’t want the plastic getting stuck between the bows.
Townes using the push broom in keeping the plastic moving by pushing it up over the bows so that the plastic doesn’t drop down in between the bows. Once we begin pulling the plastic, you want to keep momentum up, which is why you don’t want the plastic getting stuck between the bows.
Tony keeping the jig steady all the while keeping Danielle and her ladder from falling over. He is a born gymnast!
Tony keeping the jig steady all the while keeping Danielle and her ladder from falling over. He is a born gymnast!
Tony holding the plastic. Once the plastic is pulled and stretched you don’t want to let go should a gust of wind arise. We learned that covering G2 almost loosing the plastic with a gust of wind. We put a few temporary Kwic-Clips along both sides and the ends to hold the first layer of plastic down until the second layer has been pulled.
Tony holding the plastic. Once the plastic is pulled and stretched you don’t want to let go should a gust of wind arise. We learned that covering G2 almost loosing the plastic with a gust of wind. We put a few temporary Kwic-Clips along both sides and the ends to hold the first layer of plastic down until the second layer has been pulled.
Once both layers of plastic are pulled, Kwic-Clips are put in place to secure the layers of plastic to the greenhouse frame. My camera had gone missing while we were installing these but we have a few photographs of this step on Tony’s camera and I hope to upload them soon.
Carl installing a Kwic-Clips to temporary secure the layers of plastic at the end of the greenhouse. We use 48 Kwic-Clips per side because they are roughly 2 feet long.
Carl installing a Kwic-Clips to secure the layers of plastic at the end of the greenhouse. We use 48 Kwic-Clips per side because they are roughly 2 feet long.
2011 MHO Farm Crew enjoying a beer. Thanks Marion! The farm crew helped Marion and Dean put up trusses and sheathing for their roof, so in return, Marion generously gave the farm crew a 6 pack of beer that we enjoyed Friday afternoon. From left to right: Danielle, Julie, Townes, Carl, Tony, Justin
2011 MHO Farm Crew enjoying a beer. Thanks Marion! The farm crew helped Marion and Dean put up trusses and sheathing for their roof, so in return, Marion generously gave the farm crew a 6 pack of beer that we enjoyed Friday afternoon. From left to right: Danielle, Julie, Townes, Carl, Tony, Justin
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