Comments on: How to Build an Inexpensive Hoop-Style Greenhouse

By: Theresa

Theresa — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:41:21 +0000

Thank you thank you thank you!!! I needed this and to build a greenhouse and I was getting pretty frustrated with the cost of the metal hoops and even finding them without buying a whole kit!!!! My plants thank you and my family thanks you!!!

By: Judith van Praag

Judith van Praag — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:22:28 +0000

Thank you for this great comprehensive post, just what we need!

By: Lynn

Lynn — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 19:54:17 +0000

WOW I’m inspired. Just recently divorced and don’t have much money. I’ve got a little bitty purchased greenhouse that I spent far more on and is a pain to put up have to be a rocket scientist have have multiple helpers to assemble.

I also liked the ideas about utilizing this with small modifications for inexpensive poultry housing as well. When you start looking at $12K greenhouses it becomes cost prohibitive and offsets any potential savings from growing your own food. Costs of barns and buildings for small livestock also becomes prohibitive.

Thank you Dave.

By: A Texas-Style Hoop Frame PVC Pipe GreenHouse | Alberta Home Gardening

A Texas-Style Hoop Frame PVC Pipe GreenHouse | Alberta Home Gardening — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:03:08 +0000

[...] I’d share Big Jim’s pictures and tell you about some of the modifications he made to my Inexpensive Hoop-Frame PVC Pipe Greenhouse. So first the [...]

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 04:58:05 +0000

This greenhouse should be fine even in the wind as long as you anchor it. Pound some long wooden stakes along the inside edges and fasten the stakes to the frame. This will keep the wind from picking up the whole structure. And as long as your poly is tight and attached securely, the wind won’t be able to rip that away either.

By: Teresa Rawle

Teresa Rawle — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 02:06:03 +0000

I think your design looks great. I’ve been drooling over greenhouse catalogs and thinking it would be years before I could afford to get one. Now I’m thinking that maybe my husband and I can actually build one a lot like yours. My only question is, I live in Payson, Utah where we get microbursts just about every spring and sometimes more often. The winds can get up to 60 to 80 miles an hour, but usually only last a few minutes. Trees are usually uprooted all over the place and we have to replace roof shingles constantly (it seems like). Anyway, if you have any ideas about handling those nasty little winds I would be very appreciative. I don’t want to see my future greenhouse sailing across the field the next wind storm we get. Thanks so much!

Sincerely,
8daisy8

By: big jim

big jim — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:14:13 +0000

When I found your plans for an inexpensive greenhouse I knew it was for me. I read every comment and researched all the sources you recommended for covering etc. I finally decided on the 12X32 version with some revisions.

Since I am 6′4 I needed more height so I added 2 ft to the hoops. I also decided on the plywood ends and I added some extra internal bracing there. One other major change–I bought elec conduit clamps to fasten the hoops to the base. Much, much easier to use than the strapping material. I chose plastic covering over the mesh due to high cost differences and no apparent guarantee that the mesh would last longer–not counting hailstorms. I live in N. central Texas and hail is a possibility. I also spent closer to $650 rather than the $400 you originally estimated but it is still a bargain. Now to the planting and growing.

big jim

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 02:15:20 +0000

You can use either, but I find the 20 is more flexible and less likely to break as it gets brittle with time.

By: Joe DAgostino

Joe DAgostino — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 01:57:24 +0000

you have made it very simple and user friendly. I didn’t notice anywhere what the thickness of the pvc pipe is. I assume it is the thicker walled, schedule 40 material. Please confirm. Thank you.

By: Dave

Dave — Sat, 06 Feb 2010 19:55:15 +0000

a few questions and also a reply to post 42/43?
the pvc pipe should flex in winds and absorb any sudden wind loads
shifts/shocks. im more concerned about the amount of heavy snow
we get here. and the odd mild days then rapid cold snaps where we get
temperatures that dip down to -38′c. and high winds.

id like to find a way to heat the green house to make it fully functional
through the entire winter months here in ontario,canada.

my idea was to build a small wood frame structure with single pane
glass windows (wood frame around the windows already) and build
a small structure at one end, and use an old wood stove for heating.
a few fans to blow the heat around. condensation might not be a bad thing, a little dampness and humidity might be a good thing.

any ideas on this?

coehill.dave @ gmail.com