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Addison IL.

its me curvy again and Im wondering how to build inexpensive hoop houses for my plants and what to do with them once they are built venilation and weather stuff so can anyone offer advice to me limited budjet single mother buckets rejected on to hoop houses now I need to know can they keep the plants safe and happy please include materials used and any tips thaks sorry to bug everyone want to get this right thanks again curvy 1

4/27/2005 6:05:50 PM

Bristol, ME (stunner906@roadrunner.com)

This may be helpful...

http://www.mainepumpkins.com/hoophouse.html

4/27/2005 6:13:17 PM

Addison IL.

thanks will look

4/27/2005 6:16:45 PM

Deer Park WA

Curvy, I use 4 ten foot 3/4 inch PVC pipes cut one to 6 foot, then take six 1/4 inch X 4 foot pieces of rebar or pipe and pound 3 of them in the ground 3 three feet apart and the other row 6 feet across from the first and again 3 feet apart. Slide the PVC over the rebar you will have three hoops 3 feet apart x 6 feet across. Next duct tape the 6 foot piece underneath and centered between the 3 hoops at each intersection. Cover with 4 or 6 mill plastic like you get at home depot for 20 bucks (20 X 100 foot roll). I cut the plastic at 6' X 14" so I have 2" over lap on each side of the hoop house I cover this with soil to hold it in place. For the doors I cut a piece the shape of the opening and again 2 feet taller than the opening and cover the bottem with dirt and use jumbo size paper clips to told clamp it over the PVC. I know sounds complicated but its really not, you can use the houses framing over and over just replace the plastic every season. I will try and post a picture up soon of ours, or you can check in my 2004 diary and there should be a picture or two there. Good Luck!

4/28/2005 1:00:48 AM

Brighton, MI

Frank you can make really fast and real cheap hoop houses. All you need is 3 things. #1, 3/4inch black plastic underground sprinkler hose. 100 length is around $13. #2, think clear plastic enough to cover several hoop houses, 5 feet long x 6 feet wide x 2 feet tall. #3, 1 inch x 2 inch binder clips (get at office supply store, www.staple.com item # 831610. Cut the plastic hose into 10 foot lengths and stick each end into the ground about 6 inches, so it makes a half hoop in the ground, place the plant between to of them. cover with plastic & clamp the plastic on with the binder clamps. you can open it up un warm days. if you need longer just add another hoop. If it get to cold just put a trouble light under the hoop for warmth. All you need to do is keep the frost off the plant but adding warmth helps it grow. Good luck.

5/2/2005 6:36:27 PM

Addison IL.

built hoophouse using canopy tents from dollarstore set them up without the tops put those aside did not add bottom poles so canopy tent stands 4and a half feet from the peek secured to ground with steaks and covered whole structure with 3mil plastic ground itself is covered in black plastic garden is surronded by fence to keep dogs out will expand as plants grow. clip plastic to poles with gatorclamps and staked plastic down with spikes all the way around allowing for drainage. surronded outter fence with snow fence to cut down wind my 20 by 40 homemade whatever gets warm fast under sun but bad when weather turns cold temp drops winds high yesterday structure and plastic held its own now to get past the danger of frost and Im home free will get lamp to clip on canopy roof posts see if it helps at night every idea is welcome thanks

5/2/2005 9:15:12 PM