Any form of climate, element, or weather event may have an adverse effect on greenhouses, but hurricanes are particularly terrifying and damaging.
Greenhouse designs require a compact structure to maximize light exposure for plants, which presents challenges when facing severe weather. Powerful winds and debris from hurricanes can compromise structural integrity, damage coverings, and delay production and profits significantly.
Several variables affect the wind forces acting on a greenhouse, such as the direction of the wind, the building's exposure, the height of the structure, and the design of any open entrances or vents. When the wind blows over a greenhouse, it pushes the air toward the windward side and away from the leeward end. A combination of them may cause the structure to break apart or topple over.
It is essential for greenhouse operators to recognize wind-related risks and take proactive measures to mitigate them. While storm disasters are unavoidable, building a hurricane-proof greenhouse and adopting the right strategies can help you safeguard the most valuable resource: your crops.
Hurricane Season Tips for Greenhouses
1. Think Ahead Before Planning Greenhouse’s Location
Consider both the amount of sunshine it will get and the possibility of protection from hurricanes as you plan the placement of your greenhouse. The ideal position for a greenhouse is perpendicular to the wind, so that airflow may pass over its roof instead of entering it.
When positioning a greenhouse in a windy area, ensure that the most exposed side faces sideways, not towards the front or back. For example, a corner location surrounded by fencing or walls on two sides offers excellent protection, contingent on the wind direction in your garden. Additionally, hedges and conifer trees can offer substantial windbreaks.
2. Be Level and Fastened to the Ground
A poorly leveled greenhouse can lead to significant vulnerabilities. When it lacks a proper foundation, panels, and glass tend to loosen, compromising their protection. This issue worsens in windy or rainy conditions. Select a hurricane-proof greenhouse that offers top-notch construction and ensure you assemble it straight, level, and stable.
With the aim of securing greenhouse structures and improving greenhouse storm readiness, you may use bolts instead of clips to attach them to the foundation. The clips will usually work, but bolting the greenhouse down may be worth the trouble in extreme circumstances. It goes without saying that the base itself must be as firmly fastened to the ground as feasible. This can be achieved by using screws, washers, and rawl plugs at each corner or by employing coach bolts that expand into the ground when tightened.
3. Conduct Regular Maintenance of Greenhouse Components
Greenhouse maintenance before storms is necessary if you want your investment not to go to waste. In addition to using only the best materials when constructing your greenhouse, owners should closely monitor any parts that might eventually wear out and need replacement.
This includes steel supports, wooden frames, hoops, foundation fixings, and coverings. Small holes or gaps in the covering can quickly escalate under even modest wind pressure, potentially leading to failure when conditions worsen.
Naturally, hurricanes may disrupt structural integrity and even cause supports to collapse. Because of this, it is essential to set a schedule for the inspection and maintenance of greenhouse buildings. There is no other way to ensure the long-term stability of your greenhouse than by taking this precautionary measure.
4. Apply Impact-Resistant Glass and Secure the Glass Panes
The typical image of a greenhouse is a flimsy building with a pitched roof and walls of transparent cast acrylics or polycarbonate. We still see the biggest demand for this kind of greenhouse, but new materials have made them storm-proof.
Resilient materials for the structure's exterior, such as plastic or glass, are among the options. Alternatively, you could opt for a metal frame instead of a wooden one. Extreme weather, such as hurricanes or heavy snowfall, is less prone to harm metal frames.
If your greenhouse's glass panes lack a waterproof seal, applying silicone sealant to the edges of each pane is advisable. Additionally, inspect the existing sealant in older greenhouses for wear and replacement needs. Alongside the usual wire clips, adding silicone sealant will enhance the glass's stability and diminish vibrations during windy conditions.
5. Protect High Tunnels and Check Vents
In addition to natural degradation, hoop houses, high tunnels, and other plastic greenhouses may have their wind resistance rapidly reduced by loose covers and side vents. When the plastic covering of a greenhouse comes loose, which happens more often than you may think, it is very important to secure it as firmly as possible to the ground and frames. This may occur unexpectedly shortly after the installation or replacement of new plastic covers, particularly if they have been solarized.
A similar logic may be used for ventilating systems in greenhouses. Once inside a greenhouse’s structure, the wind's effective force is two times what it is outside. The outside wind exerts a pushing or lifting force on the structure while the inside of the structure is buffeted by a wind that tries to dislodge the roof and walls. For this reason, it's important to shut or tighten all greenhouse openings including vents, louvers, and doors while they're not in use.
6. Forecast Incoming Hurricanes
Anticipating wind damage and preparing plants for hurricane season act as your best defense. Regularly check weather forecasts and wind speeds. Consider installing a weather app and activating alerts for sudden wind events like tornadoes, hurricanes, or severe storms.
This foresight enables you to prepare for high winds long before they arrive. On anticipated windy days, reinforce plastic coverings or close glass ventilation systems until the winds subside. When alerts signal impending hurricanes, you can quickly secure coverings and shut vents.
Because of the convenience of being able to operate various greenhouse processes from a distance, many experienced growers are turning to smartphone technology. You can monitor and operate vents, doors, and other elements from anywhere with just a tap.
In scenarios where winds are strong or warnings are issued, such technology streamlines the process of securing your greenhouse quickly and effectively, ensuring its safety.
7. For Those Moments When Your Greenhouse Hurricane Preparation Isn’t Working…
The truth that every greenhouse grower has to confront is that you can't completely shield your greenhouse from hurricanes. Even the most well-prepared and skilled greenhouse gardeners have their structures damaged by hurricanes; no greenhouse wind protection strategies can be well-rounded and prevent this!
Then, what kind of defense is ideal for protecting greenhouses during hurricanes? The answer is to insure your greenhouse! No matter how careful you are, wind damage may still occur. Greenhouse insurance coverage can help you recover all the money you lose due to wind damage, whether it's the destruction of your greenhouse or just some damage that slows down your crop harvesting.
We must acknowledge the enormous forces produced by extreme weather, even if we cannot yet harness their energy. You may preserve your crop and agricultural business if you are aware of greenhouse wind protection strategies and prepare properly before the hurricane period. By adhering to our recommendations, you can ensure that your greenhouse and all of the crops within it have the best possible ability to thrive in adverse weather conditions.
