Hoop house questions from a hot desert

[Gallo del Cielo]

Hello! I'm here in Tucson, AZ (zone 9b) and I'm planning to build a 12' X 20' hoop house, made from bent galvanized pipe. I'm building the structure primarily to shade an aquaponics system in the summer and keep it warmer in the winter. It will also cover a good portion of my existing garden to keep out the hordes of wild birds we have here as well as to moderate temperatures in the summer and winter. My plan was to cover the structure with 40% aluminet shade cloth for most of the year (March through October), then remove the shade cloth and cover it with plastic (perhaps PE) for the remainder (November through February), when periodic freezes can happen. My initial impulse was to use wiggle wire to attach the shade cloth and plastic as it seemed it would cause less damage from repeated applications and removal. Does anyone have experience with how well the coverings will hold up to such treatment or have other suggestions? Thanks in advance!

 

[Chickie'sMomaInNH]

sounds like a very tough environment to try and grow shade loving plants down there. i'm not familiar with the use of that shade netting but that does sound like a good plan. i have seen a few local nurseries up in this area that use something similar to shade their hosta and other less sun tolerant plants and most just have it stretched across the area they want covered. or stretched similar to a sail on a ship or over a flat topped arbor.