Super simple hoop house DIY

SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
Okay so I planted my raised bed for my fall garden earlier today in a new hoop house. Figured I'd share the design since it's super simple.

Needs:
If doing raised bed enough 2x4 to make the frame. I did mine 6x10' but going back I wouldn't make it wider than 4' for ease of working.
Soil to fill the raised bed
PVC (one 10' piece per hoop, one hoop every 5 feet)
Screws
Earth Anchors
550 cord

If putting over existing garden bed:
PVC (one 10' piece per hoop, one hoop every 5 feet)
Screws
Earth Anchors
550 cord

1. Screw 2x4's together at corners if making raised bed. Recommend reinforcing with additional 2x4's cut into stakes driven in at the corners and screwed into the main frame.... fill with soil of choice.
2. Stick PVC into ground down to the bottom edge of 2x4's
3. Screw PVC into 2x4's every 5-6' (2 screws at each end just in case). The easiest way is do the first side without bending the PVC then bend it into place and get the second side....don't try to hold it in place bent and screw in the first side.
4. Run cover of choice over frame (I use floating row cover)
5. Bunch ends together and tie in place.
6. Screw auger style anchors into ground. One at each end and alternating sides for each hoop (see the zig zag pattern on my 550 cord in background of IMG_6948)
7. Tie bunched up ends to earth augers.
8. Zig zag 550 cord as shown and pull tight but not so tight you collapse the frame.
 

Attachments

SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
Going back over this I will probably cut 2x4's into stakes and add one to each corner both to reinforce the joint and help with wind.
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
xtsho

xtsho

Well-Known Member
Cool. I've made a few small ones. In fact I still have the pvc behind the shed. I'm doing another one to cover 2 of my raised beds.

And yes 6 ft is a little wide to get to the middle but doable. I made mine 4 x 10. You might want to get one of those garden pads for kneeling on if you don't already have one. The knees can take a beating when thinning small seedlings as you kneel across the raised bed.
 
xtsho

xtsho

Well-Known Member
SpawnOfVader said:
For the drip irrigation out there I'm using this timer:

Amazon.com : Orbit 21004 B-hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer with Wi-Fi Hub, Compatible with Alexa : Garden & Outdoor

Amazon.com : Orbit 21004 B-hyve Smart Hose Faucet Timer with Wi-Fi Hub, Compatible with Alexa : Garden & Outdoor
www.amazon.com

I picked it up because there is an integration for Home Assistant and I'll be able to link it up with my central smart home controller.... also remote monitoring/control and automatic rain delay.
Click to expand...
If you don't know about it already dripworks.com is a great place to get anything you need if you're setting up an irrigation system.
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
xtsho said:
Cool. I've made a few small ones. In fact I still have the pvc behind the shed. I'm doing another one to cover 2 of my raised beds.

And yes 6 ft is a little wide to get to the middle but doable. I made mine 4 x 10. You might want to get one of those garden pads for kneeling on if you don't already have one. The knees can take a beating when thinning small seedlings as you kneel across the raised bed.
Click to expand...
I actually just shoved a stepping stone in the exact middle...if I step out to that I can work the entire bed.

I use dripworks or dripdepot for my irrigation supplies- that was the highest reviewed "smart" timer for under $100. I wanted to be able to integrate it with the rest of my smart home stuff.
 
MustangStudFarm

MustangStudFarm

Well-Known Member
SpawnOfVader said:
Okay so I planted my raised bed for my fall garden earlier today in a new hoop house. Figured I'd share the design since it's super simple.

Needs:
If doing raised bed enough 2x4 to make the frame. I did mine 6x10' but going back I wouldn't make it wider than 4' for ease of working.
Soil to fill the raised bed
PVC (one 10' piece per hoop, one hoop every 5 feet)
Screws
Earth Anchors
550 cord

If putting over existing garden bed:
PVC (one 10' piece per hoop, one hoop every 5 feet)
Screws
Earth Anchors
550 cord

1. Screw 2x4's together at corners if making raised bed. Recommend reinforcing with additional 2x4's cut into stakes driven in at the corners and screwed into the main frame.... fill with soil of choice.
2. Stick PVC into ground down to the bottom edge of 2x4's
3. Screw PVC into 2x4's every 5-6' (2 screws at each end just in case). The easiest way is do the first side without bending the PVC then bend it into place and get the second side....don't try to hold it in place bent and screw in the first side.
4. Run cover of choice over frame (I use floating row cover)
5. Bunch ends together and tie in place.
6. Screw auger style anchors into ground. One at each end and alternating sides for each hoop (see the zig zag pattern on my 550 cord in background of IMG_6948)
7. Tie bunched up ends to earth augers.
8. Zig zag 550 cord as shown and pull tight but not so tight you collapse the frame.
Click to expand...
I planned on getting a 20'x60' greenhouse before next year. I'm looking at this Bootstrap Farmer package that is all metal and supposed to be a very good DIY kit. My brother has a friend that operates heavy machinery and he offered to run a D6N dozer($1,200/day rent) to help clear land here. I have 2 1/2 acres but it's all trees lol. I've seen you around and I thought that I would jump in this conversation, you seem cool.
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
MustangStudFarm said:
I planned on getting a 20'x60' greenhouse before next year. I'm looking at this Bootstrap Farmer package that is all metal and supposed to be a very good DIY kit. My brother has a friend that operates heavy machinery and he offered to run a D6N dozer($1,200/day rent) to help clear land here. I have 2 1/2 acres but it's all trees lol. I've seen you around and I thought that I would jump in this conversation, you seem cool.
Click to expand...
Got a link to what you’re looking at? Thanks!

There’s a ton of old hoop houses around here and the frames are generally solid... it’s just a matter of tracking down one for sale and dismantling it/replacing the cloth and wiggle wire
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
MustangStudFarm said:
I planned on getting a 20'x60' greenhouse before next year. I'm looking at this Bootstrap Farmer package that is all metal and supposed to be a very good DIY kit. My brother has a friend that operates heavy machinery and he offered to run a D6N dozer($1,200/day rent) to help clear land here. I have 2 1/2 acres but it's all trees lol. I've seen you around and I thought that I would jump in this conversation, you seem cool.
Click to expand...
I’m getting lucky- the land I’m leasing is on a friends property. It’s almost all wooded except they used to breed and train dogs... there are a bunch of cleared plots where their empty kennels are. Once I disassemble that I’ve got cleared/private land with power and well/spring water.
 
MustangStudFarm

MustangStudFarm

Well-Known Member
SpawnOfVader said:
Got a link to what you’re looking at? Thanks!

There’s a ton of old hoop houses around here and the frames are generally solid... it’s just a matter of tracking down one for sale and dismantling it/replacing the cloth and wiggle wire
Click to expand...
You are probably right about piecing one together, but the kit that I'm looking at is $5k and it's the "All Metal" kit. Sorry, I meant to post a link earlier. https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/pages/greenhouse-kits
 
MustangStudFarm

MustangStudFarm

Well-Known Member
SpawnOfVader said:
I’m getting lucky- the land I’m leasing is on a friends property. It’s almost all wooded except they used to breed and train dogs... there are a bunch of cleared plots where their empty kennels are. Once I disassemble that I’ve got cleared/private land with power and well/spring water.
Click to expand...
Right on. I tried my legal limit here in Okla and everything was going great, but then I noticed that I was getting bud rot and corn earworms. I think that having a greenhouse would help with the botrytis at least, but that was the biggest problem I had. Still, it's going to be a good haul. I would love to put this in a 600gal pot, it's in 100gal right now.
DSC01526.JPGDSC01527.JPGDSC01528.JPGDSC01529.JPG
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
MustangStudFarm said:
Right on. I tried my legal limit here in Okla and everything was going great, but then I noticed that I was getting bud rot and corn earworms. I think that having a greenhouse would help with the botrytis at least, but that was the biggest problem I had. Still, it's going to be a good haul. I would love to put this in a 600gal pot, it's in 100gal right now.
View attachment 4704287View attachment 4704289View attachment 4704290View attachment 4704291
Click to expand...
Very pretty! I've been doing my personal inside with LEDs because I'm right in the middle of a neighborhood but I'm definitely going to a greenhouse setup when I go commercial (hopefully in 3-6 months depending).

I'm going to save that link!!! That is actually a REALLY good deal for what it is. I just wouldn't buy any of the add-ons, retrofitting for a double layer and using an inline fan for inflating is pretty simple...no need to PAY them for it.

I'd add one of these on and for 8k + shipping/tax and you've got a badass auto light dep greenhouse.

Add a second layer of poly cloth, fan to inflate it, some sort of HVAC/Evap cooler, and black poly for the floor to prevent too much dust in the air and you've got a badass sealed unit.

www.humboldtlightdep.com

Auto Light Dep Retrofit Kit — Humboldt Light Dep

Upgrade your existing greenhouse by quickly attaching our Auto Light Dep Retrofit Kit & be on your way to harvesting multiple times a year! A great inexpensive way to get started with light dep!
www.humboldtlightdep.com www.humboldtlightdep.com
 
JimmiP

JimmiP

Well-Known Member
Just thought I would mention Farm Plastic Supply, they have everything a person needs to make a great hoop house or greenhouse and great prices too. The plastic, wiggle wire and lock channel were delivered to me the day after I ordered them. I would also recommend getting their IRAC plastic as it keeps condensation from dripping onto your plants.
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
JimmiP said:
Just thought I would mention Farm Plastic Supply, they have everything a person needs to make a great hoop house or greenhouse and great prices too. The plastic, wiggle wire and lock channel were delivered to me the day after I ordered them. I would also recommend getting their IRAC plastic as it keeps condensation from dripping onto your plants.
Click to expand...
I'll check them out! I had debated getting bending my own square tubing and going true DIY but I've got investors for the cost of buying my commercial setup and labor-to-cost ratio just doesn't make it worthwhile for me right now.
 
JimmiP

JimmiP

Well-Known Member
SpawnOfVader said:
I'll check them out! I had debated getting bending my own square tubing and going true DIY but I've got investors for the cost of buying my commercial setup and labor-to-cost ratio just doesn't make it worthwhile for me right now.
Click to expand...
We used 1.5 inch cellular core dwv PVC for the hoop house. During the deracho storm back in August it was exposed to sustained 70+ mph winds for about two hours and it barely even wiggled. Just some food for thought. PVC is cheaper than metal should anything disastrous should ever happen.
Also, farm plastic supply has everything including blackout plastic/ panda film, clips ect.
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
JimmiP said:
We used 1.5 inch cellular core dwv PVC for the hoop house. During the deracho storm back in August it was exposed to sustained 70+ mph winds for about two hours and it barely even wiggled. Just some food for thought. PVC is cheaper than metal should anything disastrous should ever happen.
Also, farm plastic supply has everything including blackout plastic/ panda film, clips ect.
Click to expand...
What size is it? I'm looking at going to about 20x60 per hoop house. (FYI I'm in the middle or Tornado alley so that kind of wind is a semi-regular occurrence here)

Definitely worth looking into- I do PVC for my small tunnels/row cover. Never really considered it for my light DEP hoop house...
 
JimmiP

JimmiP

Well-Known Member
Mine is 24'x16'x10'. And yeah we went through a lot of high wind here in Illinois this season too. I was worried during the first storm with 45mph wind. And boy oh boy I was all puckered up down below during the deracho. But now I don't worry at all. I actually enjoy hanging out, drinking beer and getting high in there during thunderstorms.
I should also note the hoop house has roll up sides and up until now the ends have been covered in bug screens and weed barrier fabric to help keep pollen and bugs out and to allow as much airflow as possible. Today I had frost on the roof skin so I will be installing plastic on the ends as well to retain more heat throughout the night.
 
JimmiP

JimmiP

Well-Known Member
Also I will be increasing the size next year by moving the end walls. As soon as we got done building it I realized I wanted more space. And it is so full now it gets hard to move around and work in there.
 
SpawnOfVader

SpawnOfVader

Well-Known Member
MustangStudFarm said:
You are probably right about piecing one together, but the kit that I'm looking at is $5k and it's the "All Metal" kit. Sorry, I meant to post a link earlier. https://www.bootstrapfarmer.com/pages/greenhouse-kits
Click to expand...
so I just talked to my buddy who is a consultant for big agricultural operations (including cannabis ones) all across the south and he went over that link you sent. He said it looks super solid BUT countered with this company:

zimmermanshightunnels.com

Home

Do You Need A High Tunnel or Greenhouse Project We Can Help With? Contact Us Zimmerman's Welding Zimmerman’s Welding is a family-owned business that manufactures hoophouses and greenhouses for the horticultural industry and for various farms. Zimmerman’s was started in
zimmermanshightunnels.com zimmermanshightunnels.com

He has personal experience with them/recommends them to customers and their 30x72' is the same price as a 20x60' from bootstrap farmer.
 
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