Creating a hinged hoophouse for your raised bed garden is an excellent way to extend your growing season, protect your plants from harsh weather conditions, and keep pests at bay. This detailed guide will walk you through the process of building a hinged hoophouse, ensuring that even beginners can follow along and achieve great results.
Materials Needed:
- PVC pipes (1/2 inch diameter)
- Heavy-duty plastic sheeting (6 mil)
- Hinges
- Screws (stainless steel)
- Wooden planks (for the raised bed frame)
- Pipe clamps
- UV-resistant zip ties
- Tools: Drill, saw, measuring tape, staple gun
Step 1: Prepare Your Raised Bed
If you haven’t already, construct your raised bed using wooden planks. Ensure it’s sturdy and well-positioned in your garden, ideally in a spot that receives ample sunlight. The size of your raised bed will dictate the dimensions of your hoophouse, so plan accordingly.
Step 2: Measure and Cut PVC Pipes
Measure the length of your raised bed and cut PVC pipes to create hoops that will span across the width of the bed. The number of hoops will depend on the length of your bed; aim for a hoop every 2-3 feet. Bend the pipes gently and insert the ends into the soil on either side of the bed, or attach them to the wooden frame with pipe clamps to form arches.
