Blog: Alaska Gardening Roundtable
Looking for a less expensive "greenhouse" than what the box stores offer?
Published Thursday, May 28, 2009
Last evening my husband kindly reminding me that in order for him to put the engine back in our car, that has been in the garage for over a year, I must find a place to plant all those tomatoes and peppers I started way back in March. I just reminded him that I need a place to plant them, soon. Many of the varieties I have are heat loving plants that need a warm place to grow and fruit. For many of you, like ourselves, you do not have upwards of $600 extra dollars to spend on a greenhouse kit from Home Depot or Lowe's. Greenhouse kits are tempting to think about purchasing, because you know that you will have a bumper crop of (your favorite veggie), if you had one. There is an alternative!
These amazing alternatives to greenhouses are called hoop houses. The thought of having a "greenhouse" that will raise our USDA plant hardiness zoning from 3 to 4 or more and extend our growing season is so exciting. Last night I went out shopping to check out the prices in town for the materials. You can build your own 12'x14' hoop house for around $250 using all new materials. This does not include time and labor. Have a barbecue and invite some friends over because it will take at least two people to bend the PVC pipe into place until it is secured.
If you are thinking, "what can I grow inside a hoophouse?" I've calculated that if you were to plant 60 tomato plants with an average of 50 pounds of tomatoes per plant, you could possibly harvest 3,000 pounds worth of tomatoes. If put to good use, it will pay off in the long-run.
Let me tell you, I cannot wait to build my own. I will post pictures and updates when we finish.
Here are a couple links explaining hoophouses and how to construct them. From the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, complete building instructions for a small hoophouse: http://www.bae.ncsu.edu/programs/extension/publicat/postharv/green/small_greenhouse.pdf
Home Sweet Hoophouse or How to Change Gardening Zones without Leaving Your Own Backyard: http://www.kitchengardeners.org/hoophouse.html
Heidi Livengood
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