Building a mini hoop tunnel is a warm process with three easy steps .
1. Insert the hoops
In my raised beds , I stick in the end of my telegram , metal , or polyvinyl chloride hoops 9 to 12 inches into the dirt . If you are building mini hoop tunnels in an in - ground garden where the soil may be compacted , use 1 - understructure rebar stake to secure the hoops . thump the stakes into the soil , and slip the end of the PVC hoops over them .
2. Cover the hoops
Drape the cover over the hoops , making indisputable it is long enough to cover the entire tunnel , including the ends . This is especially important if you are trying to keep dirt ball or large pests away from your vegetable or protect plant from frost or cold-blooded weather . If you are building a summer shade cloth burrow , however , the textile does n’t need to cover the integral burrow .
3. Secure the covers
It is essential to insure covers to the hoop so that they do n’t gasconade off in windy or stormy weather . I use snap clamp ( fancy ) to contain covering fire on my alloy and premature ventricular contraction hoop . you may expend other types of clinch or clips , or count the bottom of the masking down with rocks or piece of lumber . For wire hoops I use binder clip to secure the covert , and I count down the sides and ends with stones .
4 great uses for a mini hoop tunnel
A mini basketball hoop tunnel is a various social organisation that is quick and comfortable to work up . Here are four ways to put it to use .
1. Frost protection
Use insulating covers to protect spring - plant crops from frost or to extend the crop of cool - season vegetable in autumn .
2. Winter harvesting
traverse cold - hardy crops like spinach , kale , leeks , and winter pelf with a poly - cover burrow to harvest into winter .
3. Pest protection
To protect vegetables from worm and big pests in spring , summer , and autumn , ice-cream soda worm - barrier fabrics , lightweight row covers , or dame netting on hoop .
4. Summer shading
It can be hard to establish serial crops in mid to late summer when the weather is spicy and ironic . pall wraith cloth on hoops over carrots , lucre , broccoli , and lettuce to promote good germination and reduce transplant stress . Remove shading once seed germinate or a duo of day after transfer to encourage ready , hefty growth .
Niki Jabbour , the accolade - win writer ofGrowing Under CoverandThe Year - Round Vegetable Gardener , lives and garden in Halifax , Nova Scotia .
Photos , except where noted : Carol Collins
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Dramm Bypass Pruner , disregard up to 5/8 - inch in diam , Stainless Steel Blade , Blue
Fine horticulture take in a commission for item purchased through links on this site , including Amazon Associates and other affiliate advertising computer program .
Fiskars 15 " PowerGear Loppers — Sharp Steel Blade Bush and Tree Trimmer
Get our latest tips , how - to articles , and instructional videos sent to your inbox .
Signing you up …
Related Articles
Protect Your Veggies With Mini Hoop Tunnels
Get a Jump Start on Spring Planting
What Vegetables to Plant for Fall and When to Plant Them
Hoop House–Style Raised Bed Frost Protection
get together Fine horticulture for a free engaging live webinar featuring Dr. Janna Beckerman , a renowned works diagnostician as well as professor emerita at Purdue University and the ornamental technical handler …
When I make out a particular sand dollar cactus ( Astrophytum asterias ) at the Philadelphia Flower Show a few month ago , I knew I was in trouble . With a delightful color practice …
When we only prioritize plants we need over plants our landscape painting need , each season is meet with a never - cease list of chore : pruning , pinching , watering , treating , amend , and fertilizing , with …
Subscribe today and save up to 47%
Video
Touring an Eco-friendly, Shady Backyard Retreat
You must be careful when you enroll the backyard of garden graphic designer Jeff Epping — not because you ’re likely to trip on something , but because you might be dive - bombed by a pair …
4 Midsummer Favorites From a Plant Breeder’s Garden
Episode 181: Plants You Can’t Kill
Episode 180: Plants with Big, Bold Foliage
4 Steps to Remove Invasive Plants in Your Yard
All Access members get more
sign on up for afree trialand get access to ALL our regional content , plus the rest of the fellow member - only substance library .
initiate Free Trial
Get all over site admission to expert advice , regional capacity , and more , plus the mark cartridge .
Start your FREE test
Already a member?enter
Photo: Niki Jabbour
