Cloche hoops - advice appreciated

[Python15]

If you use pole or canes at the bottom for the first say 2ft then the pipe for hoops

Pi tells us that for each unit of width (diameter) we need about 1.6 time to make a Hoop (1/2 circle)

so roughly 1.5 times the width of your rows so 1m would need 1.5 m (ish)

I like the sound of this idea and it would probably work well with piping which is a bit "floppier". I will let you know how this works out.

[Bigmallly]

Python, before you go to the extremes of buying a job lot, I would get a length say 6ft, push 2 canes into the ground 3ft apart then push the pipe onto the canes & test the rigidity, once you put the netting on, it will be a lot heavier so take that into consideration...........maybe hang a small weight from the centre of the pipe & see how it reacts.

[Python15]

Thanks for the advice Big Mally. I actually had no intention of "buying" the tubing, it's something I may be able to pick up "gratis" from work but I agree, thorough testing is the way forward

[bravo2zero]

blue pipe is all I use and mine have lasted for years but I do store them in man cave when not in use. they are set in the ground with some galvanised metal ive scrounged from work. pipe length is six foot to cover a bed 4 foot wide giving enough room for lowish growing brassicas and carrots. hoops at six foot gives me enough room to weigh down the edges with rebar. when buying mesh budget for 1.5mts for knot and height of hoop x2 and length of so a bed 4mts long you need mesh 7mts long. as for distance between hoop about 2ft is about right and a 10ft cane lashed to apex helps with stability.

[glyn]

this will be my first proper year with brasicas and looking for some advice on hoop height please,i have bought a roll of mdpe pipe for the hoops, what height should i allow for them ? i will have a mixed bed of cabbage,cauli,sprouts and calabrese and a seperate bed with psb and dwarf kale

[Bigmallly]

I have seen cabbages/caulis grow to around 3ft tall & Sprouts/PSB/Kale to 4ft-5ft. This should give you a rough guide.

[Kristen]

How wide is your netting? My hoops are slightly less than the width of my roll of (Scaffolders Debris Netting) for that very reason - although it is a little tight when the Brussels are fully grown/

[Elfeda]

I am planning to do 3 different pipe/condute cloaches for

1.Aubergines, peppers ( 1.0 m height)
2.Okra (1.5m high)
3.Cucumbers and other vines like lablab beans. (1m -2m high)


I found this cheaper , but not sure ths 32 mm one is usable for the above purpose.

and what else I would need? stakes or MPDE pipe?


I have no beds, so what is the best way to use mpde pipe/ waste pipes?

I have 1 big scaffolding pipe and planning to collect 3 more ( if no one grab it before I get extra hand to carry them to site), then 32 mm pipes/40mm would make good hoops?

want to avoid buying new/used polytunnels or greenhouse , and make flexi cloaches like this to get more space and less waste.

btw, this is very good thread, thanks for all good info shared.

Also I have a wooden structure like walk in cold frame (to cover with plastic on top and sides. I would like to extend it)