Want your crops to thrive even when temperatures drop?

Wondering how to protect your structure from snow, ice, and cold winds?

Preparing your high tunnel before winter hits is essential to ensure long-term durability and productivity.

In this article, you’ll learn exactly how to prep and maintain your gothic hoop house for the colder months—from cleaning and cover maintenance to insulation and snow management. We’ll also explore why the gothic design is ideal for growers facing harsh winter climates and how it supports year-round growing.

Is Your Gothic Hoop House Ready for Winter?

Winter weather can be tough on high tunnels, but a little preparation goes a long way. A properly maintained gothic hoop house can withstand heavy snow loads, maintain consistent temperatures, and protect your crops through the coldest months.

Before the first frost, take time to assess your setup. Cleaning, tightening, and insulating now can prevent costly repairs and ensure your plants stay healthy all season long.

Step 1: Clean Your Gothic Hoop House Inside and Out

Begin by clearing out any plant debris that could harbor insects like aphids or fungal pathogens like downy mildew.. It will be more of a challenge to circulate fresh air during the winter months, so washing interior walls, benches, and walkways with a gentle disinfectant to remove algae and mildew will set you up for cleaner winter production. Clean off any dust accumulation on the inside of your plastic, and if side curtains have grown mildew during the warm season, take this opportunity to scrub it off to improve light transmission—clean plastic allows more sunlight to reach your plants – all the more important during winter when the sun is lower in the sky. Also, thoroughly weed your hoop house now – certain weeds like chickweed can be very difficult to kill in the winter, but it’s important that you keep them from producing seed.

Step 2: Inspect the Frame and Connections

The hoop house is designed with a peaked roof that naturally sheds snow, but its performance depends on structural integrity. Glance at every nut and bolt and tighten any that are loose. 

Replace damaged parts before the snow arrives. Reinforcing your structure now prevents midwinter breakdowns when repairs are hardest to make.

Step 3: Examine and Maintain the Cover

A strong, well-secured cover keeps your plants protected from wind, frost, and snow. Inspect your film for holes, loose edges, or worn spots. Repair any holes by cleaning the area thoroughly, drying it well (a hair dryer works well for this), and patching with high-quality greenhouse repair tape. Confirm that your inflation system (if you use double poly layers) is running smoothly.

Keep the cover tight—sagging or flapping plastic can cause wear and reduce insulation. Clean it regularly to maintain light penetration and prevent heat loss.

Step 4: Add Insulation and Seal Drafts

When it comes to retaining heat, every detail matters. Seal any gaps near doors, vents, or baseboards. Maintain adequate soil moisture through the winter, which is able to soak up and retain more heat.

For added warmth retention where it matters, use row covers or floating fabric over crops to trap heat and protect from overnight temperature dips. A well-insulated hoop house will prevent soil from freezing and allow you to produce cold-tolerant crops even through the coldest months.

Step 5: Manage Snow and Ice Buildup

The steep roof of a gothic hoop house helps snow slide off naturally—but during heavy storms, buildup can still occur. Latent heat in the structure retained in moist soil can help to create a thin melted layer between the plastic and snow. When snow does not slide off, tapping the underside of the plastic can cause snow to shed. Snow rakes are effective, but be careful not to puncture the cover with sharp edges. With two people “flossing” a rope back and forth down the length of the house can also help to undercut snow and cause it to slide off. If you have installed gutters on your hoop house, remove them before the snow falls.

In snowy months, enough snow may accumulate at the base of your hoop house that new snow is not able to slide off. Keep the space around the perimeter of the tunnel clear, so that you may access it with equipment, if snow must be cleared away.

🌱 Keep Your Gothic Hoop House Winter-Ready All Year Long

Taking time to prepare now means fewer headaches later—and a structure that continues performing season after season. With regular cleaning, structural checks, and proper insulation, your gothic hoop house will stay strong through the harshest winter conditions.

Reach out to our team today to learn more about maintenance supplies, design options, and expert advice to keep your operation growing all year long.