What Is a Rainout Shelter?
A rainout shelter is a structure with a vinyl roof designed to protect crops from rain, facilitating stable harvests. These shelters range from simple frame pipe constructions covered with vinyl sheets to more complex house-type designs. They are widely available from various manufacturers and can be easily purchased through mail order or at home centers. Commonly, rainout shelters cover an area of about 2 tsubo, making them suitable for both commercial farming and individual vegetable gardening due to their ease of assembly.
Uses of Rainout Shelters
Rainout shelters are primarily used for crops sensitive to rainfall, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, grapes, and other fruit crops. They protect these crops by providing a plastic sheet barrier against the rain, requiring careful consideration of the shelter’s height and width to ensure effective protection.
Characteristics of Rainout Shelters
Advantages
These shelters safeguard crops from wind, rain, and direct sunlight, significantly reducing the risk of cracking, mildew, and seedling blight. They are particularly beneficial in the cultivation of tomatoes and watermelons, helping stabilize production, enhance yield, and improve quality. Simple rainout shelters allow for moderate sunlight and airflow while blocking rain, aiding in temperature and humidity control. Additionally, house-type rainout shelters can serve dual purposes as both shelters and greenhouses, providing flexibility in crop management across seasons.
Disadvantages
The vinyl sheeting, while functional, is not highly durable and requires regular replacement to prevent damage to the crops from leaks. Before installation, it is essential to inspect the vinyl for any holes, tears, or significant wear that could compromise its effectiveness.
Construction of Rainout Shelters
1. Simple Type
This variant consists of a frame made from rust-resistant pipes and a transparent vinyl sheet, typically around 0.1 mm thick. The structure is lightweight, allowing for easy assembly by a single individual. The shelter is secured by inserting the support posts into the ground, connecting them to the arch-shaped top post, and covering them with vinyl secured by special clips.
2. House-Type
The house-type rainout shelter features a door and a comprehensive frame covered with vinyl sheets on the ceiling and sides. Its mobility prevents continuous crop damage, and its design supports year-round use, functioning as a shelter in warmer months and a greenhouse during cooler periods. Assembly is similar to the simple type, with additional steps for door installation and securing the plastic sheets.
How to Choose a Rainout Shelter
The choice between simple and greenhouse-type shelters depends on the crop’s needs and the desired protection level. Greenhouse-type shelters are preferable for safeguarding against birds and insects. It’s important to select a “Rainout Shelter Set” that fits the crop dimensions and is straightforward to assemble.
Vegetables and fruits such as tomatoes, cucumbers, green peppers, eggplants, and various melons and berries are well-suited for cultivation under rainout shelters, with specific designs available to accommodate climbing plants like grapevines.
Other Information on Rainout Shelters
Lifespan of Rainout Shelter
The lifespan of rainout shelters varies, with agricultural vinyl sheets typically lasting 1 to 2 years, and agricultural PO sheets extending up to 3 to 5 years. The vinyl’s flexibility and transparency may degrade over time due to environmental factors, necessitating periodic replacement. Additionally, it is advisable to remove the vinyl sheeting in anticipation of typhoons to prevent damage from strong winds.