How do you like my hoops? I hunted around for ideas on how to best design this system, and I think what I ended up doing is rather unique.
- 1-ft long pieces of 3/4" PVC pipe are used to make sleeves inside the raised beds (it looks cleaner than putting them on the outside, and I made the sleeves extra long to give maximum stability to the hoops);
- there is a screw at the bottom of each sleeve to make sure each hoop sits at the exact same position in order to easily make all hoops the same height (the hole in the sleeve was pre-drilled before installing);
- the hoops are made of 1/2" flexible PEX pipe and slide easily into the sleeves without much wobbling;
- plastic or frost cloth can be put on top and clipped to the hoops - it is so late already that I probably don't even need to do this for spring, but I'll be ready for fall, gosh darn it!
This project was on my April to-do list and I just finished it last week-end. It was a pain due to having to dig all the dirt out of the way to install each sleeve, but it was worth it. It is why I haven't got around to seeding most of my veggies yet (which is on my May to-do list which isn't posted yet! I am behind in my gardening this year... you get the idea...)
For more information on raised bed vegetable gardening, check out these posts:
- When to start planting vegetable seeds in Calgary
- Vegetable gardening in Calgary 101
- Vegetable gardening tips - notes from Square Foot Gardening
- What you need to know about building raised bed vegetable gardens
- resources specific to growing vegetables in Calgary
- preparing and amending vegetable garden soil
They look great! I can't wait to hear how they work out for a late fall or early spring crop.
I have some spinach coming up that I planted in the fall. Just waiting to see how long the carrots and lettuce take to pop up.
Posted by: Paula H. | May 09, 2012 at 07:20 AM
That is much tidier than what I have going on (flimsy metal rods that are all different heights) - but whatever works, right? This will extend your season by at least a couple of months.
Posted by: Megan | May 09, 2012 at 08:23 AM
I think that's PEX, not PVC.
Posted by: plantman | May 09, 2012 at 11:24 AM
Thanks Paula and Megan! Yes, whatever works! I got my spinach, lettuce and carrots seeded this morning - hooray!
And thanks for the correction Plantman. I guess the flexible stuff is actually PEX but the sleeves are PVC (non-flexible). Oops, I didn't pay attention to that detail (hubby did the shopping)! I made the correction in the post above to be more clear.
Janice
Posted by: Calgary Garden Coach | May 09, 2012 at 12:02 PM
Brilliant design, BTW.
Posted by: plantman | May 11, 2012 at 01:48 PM
Thank you! I'm very happy with it!
Posted by: Calgary Garden Coach | May 12, 2012 at 01:38 PM
Nice hoop house!!! i did my research before i built my raised bed this year and ended up using the same method for my hoop house.... i also agree that it's too late for spring plastic but i'm still going to prepare just incase. what methods are you thinking of using for the Poly/shade cloth installation? it's still up in the air for me.... any ideas?
Posted by: Raised Bed Head | June 07, 2012 at 12:54 PM
I was thinking of just using some large clothespeg-style clips to attach the plastic/cloth to the hoops.... unless you have any better ideas?
Janice
Posted by: Calgary Garden Coach | June 08, 2012 at 03:41 PM
Wow...It's really an amazing idea. I have never done gardening but after reading this article and your conversations. I would also like to grow crops in my small garden.
Posted by: silicone tubing | August 31, 2012 at 12:05 AM
It's really an amazing idea. I liked it very much. PVC pipes are just amazing stuff. Your hard work is worth it in my eyes.
Posted by: plastic feet | September 07, 2012 at 01:00 AM