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My Garden Hoop Project

Posted at 11:22 AM on September 20, 2009

I posted a discussion thread on the Modern Victory Garden's forum asking the best spacing for garden hoops. While I know I live in Texas and have about a zero percentage chance of snow in the winter (don't be jealous), but we do get some freezing rain and some nights that it will drip just at the freezing level. I am thinking a little protection would not hurt.

I am also thinking that these will also help me at of the times of the year. Such as in the late spring when the birds are attacking all of my tomato plants, a little bird netting would not hurt. Also in the summer in the blazing heat (we have 60 days over 100 degrees in the past 3 months) a little light shade cloth will go a long way.

I am starting this a little early, as I know that while the weather is a little warmer, the PVC will bend a little easier. When PVC is cold, it doesn't really bend, and really tends to shatter! Pieces of PVC flying at your eyes is never a good thing.

HERE IS THE PLAN:

○ Drive 2 foot rebar into the ground just on the inner edge of the raised beds
○ Every Four Feet, based on the advice received above.
○ Carefully bend the 8 foot pieces of the into place.

I put in one to see if this will work "as planned" and seems to be good. Here is a quick picture of it.

I will post the finished product next weekend, when I pick up the rest of the supplies and get them into place.

Until Next Time!!

Categories: General, To Do List, Construction Projects

2 Comments

Reply kitsapfreedomgardener

10:42 PM on September 21, 2009

Those look great! I think you will find them so useful for all the reasons you mentioned. I use netting on mine during the spring/summer growing season to keep birds and my dog/cat out of the seed beds. In the winter months I protect semi hardy items to extend the harvest period. The only use I do not make of them is shade netting as I am in a location where I am trying to gain more sun and heat rather than deflect it.

Reply Mike

09:47 AM on October 23, 2009

Excellent idea. Covering your plants to protect from freezing rain and wind will make a big difference. The nice thing about covered rows during the colder months is that they retain a lot of heat that would normally be lost.