How to Build a PVC Hoophouse
Select a suitably sized patch of relatively flat ground for your greenhouse., Using a tape measure, lay out a rectangle 16 feet (4.9 m) by 40 feet (12.2 m) on the ground to define the base of your greenhouse., Lay out planting beds inside this...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Select a suitably sized patch of relatively flat ground for your greenhouse.
Be sure there are no trees, buildings, or other objects that will cast a shadow on the greenhouse for a significant portion of the day. -
Step 2: Using a tape measure
You'll probably want the 40 foot (12.2 m) dimension to run as close to east-west as you can, so the plants will get the maximum possible exposure to the sun.
Measure the distance between opposite corners to make sure you have square corners.
If the corners are square, the diagonal measurements will be equal (43 feet in this case).
Push or hammer a 3 foot (0.9 m) piece of rebar into the ground at each corner, leaving about one foot protruding from the ground. , You may want to consider making raised beds from planks or concrete blocks.
In any case, you should perform any cultivation, tilling, addition of soil amendments, etc. at this time. , With the help of a friend, bend a 20 foot (6.1 m) length of PVC pipe into an arch, and slide the ends over the "front" pair of rebar stakes.
Be careful not to let go until both ends are slid all the way down the stakes; it's very springy stuff and could injure someone. ,, Repeat this process until you reach the "back" of the greenhouse. ,, Make sure you locate the ends of the wire on the underside of the spine and so there are no sharp points sticking up that might tear the plastic sheet.
You should now have something that resembles the skeleton of a beached whale. ,,,,, Tuck the plastic sheet into the corner where the ribs of the greenhouse meet the ground, and be careful not to allow wrinkles to form in the sheet between the ribs. ,, The tops of the 4x4's should extend slightly above the point where they cross the front and back ribs of the greenhouse, so dig the holes accordingly. ,, You may want drill pilot holes so you don't split the 1x2 or break the screws. , Use the same technique to secure the excess plastic hanging over the ends of the spine, by screwing another 1x2 between the tops of the uprights. , In any case, assemble suitably-sized rectangles of 1x2's, reinforcing the corners of the door with triangles of 1/4" plywood.
Wrap the frames in plastic, and attach them to the uprights using standard door hinges.
Attach a sliding bolt latch to the side opposite the hinges. ,, -
Step 3: lay out a rectangle 16 feet (4.9 m) by 40 feet (12.2 m) on the ground to define the base of your greenhouse.
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Step 4: Lay out planting beds inside this rectangle
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Step 5: leaving a walkway down the center of the 40 foot (12.2 m) dimension.
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Step 6: Choose one of the 16 foot (4.9 m) ends to be the "front" of your greenhouse
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Step 7: where the door will be located.
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Step 8: Repeat the previous step with the "back" pair of stakes and another piece of PVC.
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Step 9: Insert pairs of 3 foot (0.9 m) rebar pieces into the ground on opposite sides of the greenhouse every 5 feet (1.5 m) down each long side of your rectangle from the "front" pair
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Step 10: and (again with the help of a friend) slide another length of PVC over the two new stakes.
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Step 11: Make three 40 foot (12.2 m) pieces of PVC by gluing together pairs of 20 foot (6.1 m) pipes using PVC joint compound.
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Step 12: Center a 40 foot (12.2 m) pipe down the underside of the series of arches to form a "spine" for the greenhouse
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Step 13: using stainless steel wire to make an "X" around each intersection.
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Step 14: Duct tape a 40 foot (12.2 m) pipe along the the long edge of your plastic sheet
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Step 15: then roll it up in a few turns of the sheet (like you're making a scroll) and duct tape it securely in place.
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Step 16: Repeat the previous step with the third 40 foot (12.2 m) piece of PVC along the opposite edge of the plastic sheet
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Step 17: roll it up
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Step 18: and duct tape it securely.
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Step 19: Lay the assembly against one of the long sides of your skeleton
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Step 20: and with the help of a friend or two
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Step 21: walk one side of the plastic sheet with PVC attached over the top of the arches to form the "skin" of your greenhouse.
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Step 22: Once you have the skin stretched over the skeleton
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Step 23: make sure it's centered
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Step 24: so there's an equal amount of excess material lying on each side of the greenhouse.
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Step 25: Pile sand
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Step 26: or loose soil over the flap of excess material (and the attached PVC pipe) along the whole length of one side of the greenhouse.
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Step 27: Once one side of the sheet is thoroughly weighted down
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Step 28: go to the other side of the greenhouse
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Step 29: pull the plastic sheet down tight
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Step 30: and bury the excess material there the same way
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Step 31: making sure to keep the sheet as snug and wrinkle-free as possible.
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Step 32: Plant a pressure-treated 4x4 vertically about 2 feet (0.6 m) to either side of the spine of the greenhouse at each end to form uprights.
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Step 33: Attach the front and back uprights to their adjacent rib using conduit clamps or plumbers strapping & wood screws.
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Step 34: Pull the plastic sheet around the ends of the greenhouse and secure it to the uprights by wrapping a 1x2 in the excess plastic at each side
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Step 35: pulling it tight
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Step 36: and attaching it to the uprights with wood screws driven through the plastic and the 1x2 and into the 4x4.
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Step 37: Repeat the previous step at the front and back of the greenhouse.
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Step 38: It's up to you whether you want to put doors on both ends of the greenhouse
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Step 39: or a door on one end and a window on the other.
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Step 40: Seal up any gaps or tears in the plastic skin using duct tape and pieces of plastic sheet.
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Step 41: Add your chosen plants
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Step 42: and enjoy!
Detailed Guide
Be sure there are no trees, buildings, or other objects that will cast a shadow on the greenhouse for a significant portion of the day.
You'll probably want the 40 foot (12.2 m) dimension to run as close to east-west as you can, so the plants will get the maximum possible exposure to the sun.
Measure the distance between opposite corners to make sure you have square corners.
If the corners are square, the diagonal measurements will be equal (43 feet in this case).
Push or hammer a 3 foot (0.9 m) piece of rebar into the ground at each corner, leaving about one foot protruding from the ground. , You may want to consider making raised beds from planks or concrete blocks.
In any case, you should perform any cultivation, tilling, addition of soil amendments, etc. at this time. , With the help of a friend, bend a 20 foot (6.1 m) length of PVC pipe into an arch, and slide the ends over the "front" pair of rebar stakes.
Be careful not to let go until both ends are slid all the way down the stakes; it's very springy stuff and could injure someone. ,, Repeat this process until you reach the "back" of the greenhouse. ,, Make sure you locate the ends of the wire on the underside of the spine and so there are no sharp points sticking up that might tear the plastic sheet.
You should now have something that resembles the skeleton of a beached whale. ,,,,, Tuck the plastic sheet into the corner where the ribs of the greenhouse meet the ground, and be careful not to allow wrinkles to form in the sheet between the ribs. ,, The tops of the 4x4's should extend slightly above the point where they cross the front and back ribs of the greenhouse, so dig the holes accordingly. ,, You may want drill pilot holes so you don't split the 1x2 or break the screws. , Use the same technique to secure the excess plastic hanging over the ends of the spine, by screwing another 1x2 between the tops of the uprights. , In any case, assemble suitably-sized rectangles of 1x2's, reinforcing the corners of the door with triangles of 1/4" plywood.
Wrap the frames in plastic, and attach them to the uprights using standard door hinges.
Attach a sliding bolt latch to the side opposite the hinges. ,,
About the Author
Jack Jones
Professional writer focused on creating easy-to-follow cooking tutorials.
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