[Market-farming] snow load management on hoophouses

Daniel Botkin dbotkin at valinet.com
Fri Feb 15 06:42:54 EST 2008


I thought the gothic arch hoophouses were supposed to be self-shedding of 
snow? Apparently this is not always so...

Our 65' quonset style hoophouse was a freebie so I took it and resolved to 
be occasionally up nights in wet blizzards clearing dangerous snow loads. I 
use a homemade 15' snow rake covered (soft edges) with old socks. And yes, 
dry snow sheers right away, whereas wet, sticky or freezing stuff tends to 
glom on! Timing is everything...

All the crushed hoophouses I've had the sad opportunity to observe collapsed 
downward from sheer weight of wet snow. Just to hedge the bet, I also 
installed stout, locust posts inside the house every 8' along the central 
purlin "spine" to guard somewhat against downward collapse by excessive 
weight. These posts have also been very useful in building elevated interior 
benches, arbors, etc.

Hang in there everybody!

Daniel
Laughing Dog Farm
Western Mass, (zone 4/5) 




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