From

Location

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Date Posted

Middle TN

We are expecting some nice weather this weekend so I thought it might be a good time to start working on a hoop house. Ive seen sizes from 3 ft to 16 ft and several different cover materials. Some have a wooden frame at the base, some appear to stick directly into the ground. What do ya'll suggest for a newbie? Im thinking bigger is better, is that correct?
Tammy

3/2/2010 10:44:52 AM

Corryton, TN

TT It kind of depends when you hope to plant outside. In 08 I hoped to go to a weigh-off in Aug so I planted outside about Apr 10 in a 4X8 simple PVC and plastic house and I needed it. In 09 I targeted Sept-Oct weigh-offs, planted May 10 outside and didn't need any.

3/2/2010 11:59:48 AM

Middle TN

Im hoping to start early, our county fair is in Aug. and Id like to have something to enter.
Tammy

3/2/2010 12:58:09 PM

Corryton, TN

Sounds like you will need a house or two. If memory serves me from the time you file & soak the seeds to the time they start to vine is "about" 30 days then look out. The size of the house will depend on when you want/need to pull it.

3/2/2010 2:44:37 PM

Boise City, Oklahoma, USA

I think Don Young starts end of March (3rd to 4th week) for the Iowa State Fair in mid August. It also depends on when you can get a set (and hot weather can cause grief)

3/2/2010 3:49:35 PM

Las Cruces NM

and hot weather can cause grief -- a big second there! Keep in mind that the southern sun puts out heat even in winter (north just gets light :P ) so you do have to monitor the temps in the tent as in not too hot or cold.

3/2/2010 7:53:21 PM

Rhode Island

for those that do not have great carpentry skills sometimes a bunch of old door with plenty of windows put together in a large box type greenhouse works well.
just be sure you hindge an area so it can be opened and closed as needed.

3/2/2010 10:00:10 PM

Crossett Arkansas

I was at Little Rock last week end and saw a cold frame made from a cattle pannel. I should of taken a picture of it. Looked like they cut the panel in half and then bent it into a hoop, stuck it in the ground and put plastic over it. Super easy and super fast !!

3/3/2010 9:16:50 AM

Ohio

coop, I use something similar to cattle pannel for my hoop houses.
But here is a site where a guys makes a hoop out of cattle pannel.
http://www.ericsprojects.com/?page_id=228

3/3/2010 3:07:55 PM

Crossett Arkansas

Can't get much easier than that Brooks ! The one at Little Rock was about 3' tall. It was made like a cold frame. Never crossed my mind to use them til I saw that one I've already built small cold frames out of wood, but next year I'll use cattle panels.

3/3/2010 3:33:03 PM

Rhode Island

you can also make a cheep pvc pipe igloo thats easy to set up and break down

3/3/2010 4:28:34 PM

Breslau, Ontario, Canada

This is the style Hoophouse I have used since the beginning. Easy to build and cheap.

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

I also like that I can just unroll the sides and clip them in to vent it during the day. Later on in May/June I cut the top open down the middle until they outgrow the hoophouse.
You can see them in my 2008/2009 diary

3/3/2010 5:55:20 PM

Middle TN

Im so thankful for BP's wonderful members! Thank you for sharing your ideas and tips :) I'll post pics in my diary when we get them finished.

3/3/2010 7:47:42 PM