We've also had a lot of rain the past couple of weeks so that's kept me indoors as well. Looking at the plants this morning I've realized two things, one: even mother nature sometimes overwaters (a few of the squash varieties have very yellow leaves) and two: I really need some hoop frames to better control temp and some of this excessive water we're getting. It needs to be a bit warmer and dryer.
So my question to those of you using material for hoop frames, what do you like best? I'm pretty handy with a sewing machine so I was thinking I could make sleeves for the pvc pipe to slide through or is that overkill? Are clips better? What do you say?
PS: Looks like good news with the toms... they're putting out new growth and are starting to look a little better. I was wondering there for a while. Bad news? Lost the cucumbers but I sort of thought I might. It's really too cold for them still. They need to go out the same time as the peppers and basil, etc. I still have a few from starts growing under lights so I should be okay. They could be potted up though. Also hope it stays dry long enough today to reseed the carrots that were duds and didn't come up on the first round of planting.
6 comments:
On the hoop covers I used clips but would have loved to have had sleeves if I was at all handy with a sewing machine. If you do go with sleeves could you share how you will do it... with photos too :-)
Liisa
Liisa, Sure I'll post a tutorial on sewing for the garden! It'll be a first but I don't imagine it'll be too hard.
Jenn - I really liked Dan's poly tunnel construction, and will probably use velcro on mine as well. I too, could use a tutorial in sewing!
My hoop covers use a combination of jumbo binder clips and now cheap plastic laundry clips. While I love Dan's construction, mine cost less than $30 and a moron like me could build it.
EG, Can you point me in the direction of this mysterious "Dan" of which you all speak? Thanks!
Sinfonian, I saw your hoops! and the sad state of the toms... sorry you had those cages secured in there so well. Hope everything recovers. Looks like you got pretty pummeled by that last storm we had.
Jenn,
I used sheer curtains over my hoops last summer. I slipped the tubing (3/4" irrigation) through the larger hem and sewed another for the other end. I used clips (cut pieces of tubing split with the pvc cutter). With our winds, I think the hems helped a lot. Once in a while though it would pull the whole hoop out of the bed, so it's not foolproof...
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