"A tornado destroyed a tomato greenhouse in Belgium. On the afternoon of January 3, a tornado occurred between Saint-Catherine-Weaver and Putte, Belgium. At least two growers were seriously affected." Many people must have paid attention to it recently This news. This also gives us a wake-up call on what we can do to reduce some losses in our greenhouses when facing extreme weather.

How to protect your greenhouse from extreme weather

To protect your plants year-round, your greenhouse needs to be able to withstand a variety of weather and environmental conditions. Of the four seasons, winter is often the most dangerous, and as we enter the depths of winter, you need to be prepared accordingly. Whether you have a small sloped greenhouse or a luxury greenhouse, let us share with you how to protect your greenhouse from extreme weather. With these tips, you can keep your greenhouse standing and ensure it stays in good condition for as long as possible.

Keep your greenhouse safe

Greenhouses have unique structures that present challenges not encountered in other buildings. Whenever severe weather is expected to come (whether it's heavy rain or a snowstorm), you should start making preparations to ensure the safety of your greenhouse. How you specifically prepare for severe weather depends on the type of weather you endure and the types of materials you use to build your greenhouse.

Rigid cladding (wood, metal, glass and polycarbonate)

For greenhouses that use hard materials such as glass, polycarbonate, wood, etc., you will need to develop a comprehensive preparation plan. In addition to added protective measures, the plan should also include preventive maintenance. For example, you need to be prepared to repair or replace loose and damaged sections of cladding to prevent wind and water from entering your greenhouse. Allowing wind to penetrate your greenhouse (especially during severe weather) can be extremely damaging to the greenhouse's internal climate and may stunt or kill your plants. If your greenhouse has roof vents, make sure they are closed and cannot be opened during high winds. Open vents are easily damaged and, with enough pressure, can become disconnected from the greenhouse and cause damage to the frame. Blinds should be closed on windy days.

Dual polymer cladding

When you expect high winds or hail, you will want to open the aerator vents slightly and double-check your greenhouse fans to make sure they are working properly. If the polyethylene is not tight enough, severe weather can put a lot of stress on your greenhouse. This additional stress can create anomalies in the material such as pits, pools, pinholes, and premature aging due to this intense wear. Be sure to reset your inflator vents as soon as the extreme weather has passed. This step will help you avoid stretching your covering in the long term.

General preparation

There are many more ways to prepare any type of greenhouse after considering the specific cladding type. Preparation can be as simple as making sure the fasteners don't loosen over time, otherwise strong winds could blow off the cladding. It is also important to check the integrity of fasteners on structural components such as ties, trusses, braces, purlins, etc. Next, secure all vents and door blinds to help prevent outside air from entering the greenhouse. Keeping air out of the greenhouse also helps the structure withstand strong winds and reduces structural stress.

Finally, when considering how to protect your greenhouse from winter weather extremes, you need to ensure that your greenhouse reaches the right temperature well in advance to prevent a drastic drop in the climate. This is especially important if your structure is not heated or is heated intermittently. If your conservatory has energy curtains, raise them so the heat can reach all the way to the roof. If your greenhouse uses a heater, make sure the thermostat is set to the appropriate temperature for your plants. These precautions will help you during heavy snow accumulation, as snow that does not melt can quickly become very heavy. After a heavy snowfall, be sure to clear the snow. If these measures are not taken, your greenhouse may not be able to support the weight and may collapse after a heavy snowfall.

Monitor hazards on your property

Because you are so focused on the center of the operation (the greenhouse itself), it can be easy to lose sight of the surroundings of your property. Make sure you are aware of any potential hazards in or around your property that could cause further complications for your greenhouse. Extreme weather can greatly exacerbate these hazards and pose a threat to your greenhouse. This is also a good opportunity to inspect the outside of the greenhouse to make sure it has not suffered general wear or damage from recent weather.

Before severe weather hits, walk around the greenhouse and remove any debris or objects that the wind may pick up and throw towards the building, potentially damaging the greenhouse's cladding. Likewise, be sure to store any chemicals or fertilizers in a safe location so weather doesn't damage them.

rehearse often

Inclement weather is a year-round risk to your greenhouse, so training and practice should be a year-round practice for your staff. Due to the unique layout of each business property, no two severe weather preparedness plans are the same; however, the following areas should still be a priority:

Assign which members of the team are responsible for maintenance, inspections and liaising with local authorities.

Organize and conduct drills for the severe weather the greenhouse may face. Vary the circumstances of each drill to gauge employee readiness and conduct occasional unannounced drills.

Provide your local first responders and fire departments with training opportunities at your facility to help them practice operating procedures while becoming familiar with the layout of your property.

Create a regular cadence for backing up your data and files.

If your greenhouse employees work different shifts, conduct drills at different times of the day to ensure each shift is properly trained and prepared for inclement weather.

No matter how bad the weather is in your area, stay proactive. Maintain annual communication with your insurance company to evaluate whether your greenhouse has appropriate insurance coverage to protect against severe weather. Some policies, such as flood insurance, may have a waiting period before the policy becomes effective, so don't wait until severe weather is forecast in your area to check your policy.

As always, stay safe and monitor local weather experts, OSHA and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for more weather-related information.