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Originally Posted On: https://fencingstaples.com/the-best-way-to-build-a-hoop-garden/
Are you interested in building a hoop garden? In this article we will go through the easiest process of building one and getting the most out of your money.
What is a Hoop Garden?
A hoop garden, also known as a hoop house or bean tunnel, is a tubular structure in which crops grow directly in the soil but sheltered by the structure. It allows crops to grow up through the soil and climb the structure like a trellis. It is a great idea to grow a crop and we highly recommend you try it out for yourself! The hoop house, also called a high tunnel, has become over the last decade a valuable tool for organic farmers across the United States. Constructed from a tubular steel frame covered in heavy-duty plastic, it’s a type of passive solar greenhouse in which crops grow directly in the soil but are sheltered by the structure. With no artificial lighting or temperature controls, a hoop house is relatively inexpensive to buy and operate.
Read more about hoop houses here: Hoop Houses 101 – Rodale Institute
A Hoop Garden Provides Protection
A hoop garden provides protection from wildlife and weather. You can either put a protective covering over the top of your tunnel or leave it open, but if you would like more protection from weather or wildlife then we highly recommend you put a cover over the top of your tunnel. The cover will provide protection by keeping your crops enclosed in the structure. It will keep your crops protected from weather such as snow, wind, and rain. It will also protect from wildlife such as deer, rabbits, and birds that most definitely want a bite of that food!
Materials you May Need for Building a Hoop Garden
The materials that we personally used for our hoop garden were cattle panels, 2×4’s, zip ties and Cat’s Claw Fasteners. These are all materials we had laying around on our farm. What is awesome about building your own hoop garden is that you can personalize it to your own needs. You can use PVC pipes, metal, or wood for the structure. Whichever meets your own needs. You may also cover your structure to make your own greenhouse for more protection. If you want that extra protection, then you may want to get a row cover. Make sure you choose your row cover wisely and for your weather climate. They make many different row covers for many different weather climates.
I wanted to give you a little more information about Cat’s Claw Fasteners here in this section. These revolutionary fence fasteners allow for fast, easy installation and repositioning of wires and panels on one or more posts. Unlike traditional fencing screws, Cat’s Claw fasteners can be reused and can accommodate endless tension variations and easy adjustments during severe temperature changes, even on older posts. Having advanced fence post screws provides you with more flexibility when building an enclosure for your livestock or garden, including the ability to secure fencing no matter the material or age of your posts. Discover the many benefits of Cat’s Claw fasteners by ordering today!
Instructions on Building a Hoop Garden
What we did first was make a raised garden bed. We took our 2×4’s and screwed them together by going six feet across and twelve feet long. We then took our cattle panels and fastened them to the 2×4’s with our Cat’s Claw Fasteners. Then we took the zip ties and connected the panels all together over top each other to create the tunnel. Afterwards we raked our soil and dug our holes for our crops. Over time while our beans were growing, we guided the crop up the panels like a trellis. We planted our crops along the inside and outside of our 2×4’s and the crop grew along the panels. Once our crop was fully grown, we were able to walk through our hoop garden and pick our beans straight off the panels. The crop had completely shaded the ground underneath and we quite literally had it “made in the shade”.
With Cat’s Claw Fasteners these revolutionary fence fasteners allow for fast, easy installation and repositioning of wires and panels on one or more posts. Unlike traditional fencing screws, Cat’s Claw fasteners can be reused and can accommodate endless tension variations and easy adjustments during severe temperature changes, even on older posts. Having advanced fence post screws provides you with more flexibility when building an enclosure for your livestock or garden, including the ability to secure fencing no matter the material or age of your posts. Discover the many benefits of Cat’s Claw fasteners by ordering today!
Learn more about Cat’s Claw Fasteners here: Cat’s Claw Fasteners | Fence Fasteners & Post Screws (fencingstaples.com)
