[Private_Cluck]

We are in zone 8b (southeast Texas) and we ordered 40% black. It has not been installed yet.

[2010]

So you went with black for winter and summer? I am sorry I am just new . So I just need to order black and save money by not getting white I guess. Thank you for your advice

[Private_Cluck]

Sorry for any confusion. We will use only the one shade cloth (40% black). It will be installed once and not removed. That is, used for years until we have to replace it due to wear and tear. It has not been installed yet because we are still constructing the high tunnel.

[2010]

Thank you..I guess since you are down in Texas you do not have to worry about heating in the winter time or do you? If so, what do you use? Thanks

[Private_Cluck]

When the high tunnel is complete, we do not plan on any supplemental heating for winter. Night-time temps here rarely get below mid-20s and usually range from high-20s to mid-30s.

[2010]

Isnt those temps to cold for your plants though? That was what I was thinking about. Or are you just going to grown things in your house that cold area dose not hurt them that bad

[JerseyGiantChick]

Same advice here with same zone, did not Deep South Homestead test white and black? They did not like the white and exchanged it for black?

[Southensimplicityhomestead]

We have a 20×40 from growers as well. We didn’t level the ground. It went up really well. Ground had a slight slip to it. We also use a 40% shade close. We grow in zone 7b I removed for the winter. Will put it back on in the spring. Hope this helps

[Southensimplicityhomestead]

Black shade cloth is the best.

[2010]

Thank you for your reply..What do you do about heating your greenhouse? Do you have high walls or low walls?

[CB79]

We are in 7B. Couple few things to note here:

I’d recommend installing windows that open/close automatically. Even with the shade cloth the temperatures can still rise over 100. You’ll want to allow that heat to vent out.

We decided to go with 50% black shade cloth. We needed (3) 6’ x 12’ to cover our 10’ x 20’ Planta greenhouse.

We anchored the shade cloth but left enough slack to allow those windows to open even though they were covered. We didn’t want to risk having the integrity of the shade cloth by cutting the material.

There’s no cloth on now. Not sure that a white cloth would do much for us over the winter.

We are supplementing heat with a Phoenix Biogreen unit (also cools). This is not an ideal solution as it is 240W electric. We’re looking for a solar-powered / affordable alternative but haven’t found one yet. Would love to hear any recommendations…

We don’t have enough room to place large water-filled black barrels.

We decide to build a paver-covered base/foundation (there is a slight slope here.

This is an experimental year for us. We know we will be able to grow cold-weather crops into next year but not sure about some of our other favorites. That said, I know we have a couple peppers and a red tomato out there today…

[2010]

Thank you for your info. I am new and have so many questions!! So I need white and black ? Black for the winter? White for summer?

[2010]

Thank you

[2010]

When you install the greenhouse does it have to be on level ground?

[2010]

great ideal! thank you