Step by step guide to build a mini greenhouse for a raised bed garden.
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9 Responses to How to Build a Hoophouse Mini Greenhouse
Wind is an important concern. This week I’e seen days of winds as high as 50mph; today is in the 30mph range. I have never had a problem with the PVC hoops pulling out or blowing away. I have had the entire hoop structure lean away from vertical without the center support board in place. The biggest issue is torn plastic, but with snug clamping the structure stays rigid and can withstand very strong wind. If the plastic is loose it blows and snaps in the wind and is susceptible to tearing.
The hoophouses in raised beds did a good job of keeping rabbits out when closed. Bird netting over my trees, raspberries, and strawberries has been effective at keeping animals away. I had to erect a tall fence around my entire garden to keep the deer out. Good luck and have fun with it.
Some plants are started inside earlier and transplanted. Others are sown from seed directly in the bed. It depends on the plant. I built the hoop house in February to begin heating up frozen soil, but it was still too early to plant or sow. After about a month of warming up, I was able to sow cool season seeds like radish, spinach, broccoli, and kale. The hoses were still frozen so I watered with a water can. I used other hoophouses to warm soil and plant tomato plants almost a month early too.
Do you start your plants in the greenhouse from seed or plantlings? Also, how do you water the plants in there without the water freezing? ( I assume it still freezes in February in Colorado).
Wind is an important concern. This week I’e seen days of winds as high as 50mph; today is in the 30mph range. I have never had a problem with the PVC hoops pulling out or blowing away. I have had the entire hoop structure lean away from vertical without the center support board in place. The biggest issue is torn plastic, but with snug clamping the structure stays rigid and can withstand very strong wind. If the plastic is loose it blows and snaps in the wind and is susceptible to tearing.
GardenerScott
May 25, 2013 at 4:12 am
How well does it stand against wind? That would be my main concern.
residentcharlie
May 25, 2013 at 4:12 am
Thanks, Bernice. Have fun with it!
GardenerScott
May 25, 2013 at 4:18 am
This is the clearest and least expensive method I’ve seen. Thanks!
Bernice Foster
May 25, 2013 at 4:48 am
The hoophouses in raised beds did a good job of keeping rabbits out when closed. Bird netting over my trees, raspberries, and strawberries has been effective at keeping animals away. I had to erect a tall fence around my entire garden to keep the deer out. Good luck and have fun with it.
GardenerScott
May 25, 2013 at 5:18 am
We’ll need to do this except put deer netting or chicken wire or something to keep out deer and rabbits.
TheFrugal Gardener
May 25, 2013 at 5:39 am
Some plants are started inside earlier and transplanted. Others are sown from seed directly in the bed. It depends on the plant. I built the hoop house in February to begin heating up frozen soil, but it was still too early to plant or sow. After about a month of warming up, I was able to sow cool season seeds like radish, spinach, broccoli, and kale. The hoses were still frozen so I watered with a water can. I used other hoophouses to warm soil and plant tomato plants almost a month early too.
GardenerScott
May 25, 2013 at 6:15 am
Do you start your plants in the greenhouse from seed or plantlings? Also, how do you water the plants in there without the water freezing? ( I assume it still freezes in February in Colorado).
shyshaie
May 25, 2013 at 7:11 am
Very informative! I’ll be building this in my garden!
neverquietagain
May 25, 2013 at 7:41 am