Question 1

1. What is included in the kit?

Accepted Answer

The kit includes the following:Galvanized steel arcs, purlins, and roll-up barsChannel and spring for attaching plastic6 mil UV-protected greenhouse plastic for canopy and endwallsTwo manual ventilation cranks to roll up sides50’ roll of repair tapePost pounderWindrope w/ eyescrewsHardwareShopping List for wood, screws, and door (parts easily found at a hardware store)Instructions with YouTube video accessDrawingsOperating Manual (advice on how to properly maintain a hoophouse)

Question 2

2. Do you provide instructions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Very detailed instructions are provided via email, along with Drawings and access to a YouTube video.

Question 3

3. What kind of plastic do you provide?

Accepted Answer

We use the highest grade of 6-mil UV-protected greenhouse plastic, which has a 4-year factory guarantee. We have found that most plastic lasts much longer than that. The guarantee is not for tears due to human error or animals that may claw at the plastic, tearing it. The guarantee is also not for acts of God like tornadoes, earthquakes, or snowloads that are greater than 30 lbs/psf. Snowloads greater than that should be cleared by the owner before the steel gives way, damaging the plastic.

Question 4

4. What gauge is the steel you use?

Accepted Answer

We use both 14 and 16 gauge steel depending on the width and height of the structure. Most standard kits are 14 gauge.

Question 5

5. Do you install? What is the cost for installation?

Accepted Answer

We do install. Cost depends on the size of the structure, distance from our facility, type of soil, and number of days necessary to complete the job. Call for a quote.

Question 6

6. What kind of tools are needed to build a hoophouse

Accepted Answer

The better the tools you have to use, the quicker and easier the job will be. We recommend:Sledgehammer, regular hammerWrenchLaddersLevelMeasuring tapePower drill and an impact drill with a variety of bitsSawzall for cutting metalFraming nail gun (not necessary, but useful for framing endwalls)

Question 7

7. How long does the plastic last?

Accepted Answer

The plastic has a 4-year factory warranty against failure not due to human error or acts of God. Human error also includes animals gaining access to the structure and tearing into the plastic with their claws or teeth. Acts of God would include things like tornadoes, earthquakes, or snowloads that are greater than 30 lbs/psf. Snowloads greater than that should be cleared by the owner before the steel gives way, damaging the plastic. We have seen plastic last for 10 years on the end walls. Canopy plastic will last longer than 4 years as well if it is installed fairly tight so the wind does not whip it around, causing more wear and tear than needed.

Question 8

8. What is the biggest risk to a hoophouse?

Accepted Answer

Wind and snowload are the biggest risks to a hoophouse. Our experience also shows that animals like cats and dogs can present a risk as they like to stay nice and warm in the winter and will try to claw their way through the plastic walls. Cats also like to climb the sides and sit on the top. So, in order to protect from those things, we recommend earth anchors be installed to prevent the hoophouse from becoming airborne in high winds. We recommend heavy snowloads be cleared from the top of Quonset style hoophouses and have provided instructions on how to do that in our Operations Manual. We recommend sprays that are repugnant to animals be used regularly to keep them from wanting to claw their way inside or on top of the structures.

Question 9

9. Why do you need roll-up sides?

Accepted Answer

Unless you plan to use fans and shuttered vents, roll-up sides are necessary for proper airflow. Plants will suffer without airflow. We have designed vents in the top end walls of all our kits as well as roll-up sides, which are standard on all our structures. This allows for the proper airflow that will allow plants to grow well in a more natural environment.

Question 10

10. Is it possible to grow year-round in a hoophouse?

Accepted Answer

Yes. By following recommended planting dates and using floating row covers, hoophouses have been used to grow year round in places like Maine where the temperatures and snow make it almost impossible to grow anything in winter months. If they can grow year-round in Maine, they can probably grow year-round most anywhere else.

Question 11

11. Why Choose Roberts Ranch?

Accepted Answer

When comparing our hoophouses with other companies’ products, it is important to understand just exactly what you are getting. What is actually included in the kit and what is an upgrade or an option? Roll-up sides are standard with all our structures. Are hand cranks provided? If so, what kind? Ours will roll up a 90’ bar with ease. What is the gauge of the pipe? Is the kit NRCS approved? Ours are. Has it been engineered? We also provide all the hardware that is difficult to find and needful to keep the channel attached to the wood and steel frames in high wind situations. What is the distance between arcs? Ours are all 4’OC. Why is that important? It provides more stability than arcs that are further apart. When comparing apples to apples, you will find our kits include more than other kits and have excellent quality at a very affordable price, which will save you a lot of money and frustration in the long run.

Frequently asked questions