Hoop there it is! Adding low tunnels to our garden beds

We (ok just Chad, under Nath's direction) recently added low tunnels to several of our new raised beds and are very happy with the results so we wanted to share out some useful information and tips and tricks if you'd like to build your own!

What Are Low Tunnels?

Low tunnels are simple structures made of hoops and a cover, typically plastic or fabric, that are used to protect plants in garden beds. These mini greenhouses are highly effective for extending the growing season, protecting plants from harsh weather conditions, and improving overall plant health.

Benefits of Using Low Tunnels

1. Extended Growing Season: Low tunnels help to extend the growing season by creating a microclimate that is a few degrees warmer than the outside environment. This allows gardeners to start planting earlier in the spring and continue harvesting later into the fall.

2. Frost Protection: One of the primary reasons gardeners use low tunnels is to protect plants from frost. By covering the plants, the tunnels provide a barrier against cold temperatures, ensuring that the plants remain healthy and productive.

3. Pest Control: Low tunnels act as a physical barrier against pests such as insects, birds, and small animals that can damage crops. This reduces the need for chemical pesticides, making the garden eco-friendlier.

4. Weather Shield: Harsh weather conditions such as heavy rain, strong winds, and hail can damage plants. Low tunnels offer protection against these elements, ensuring that plants grow in a stable and controlled environment.

5. Improved Plant Health: By creating a consistent environment with controlled temperatures and humidity levels, low tunnels help to reduce stress on plants. This results in healthier, more vigorous growth and higher yields.

How to Set Up a Low Tunnel

Materials Needed

- Hoops: We used 1/2-inch PVC pipe from Home Depot with 1/2-inch fasteners. Metal rods, or flexible garden stakes can also be used.

- Cover: We used clear plastic sheeting commonly used for painting projects. Row cover fabric, or greenhouse film are other alternatives.

- Anchors: To secure the cover and hoops in place, you'll need clips, stakes, or heavy objects. We purchased purpose-built clips from Amazon for this.

Steps

1. Determine desired height and cut pipe: Our pipe came in 10-foot lengths. For most our beds an 8-foot length gave us the desired height, but we used 9 feet for our bed with some tall kale in it.

2. Install Hoops: Space the hoops evenly along the length of the garden bed (we went with 2 feet spacing), inserting the ends into the fasteners. Chad found it helpful to lightly secure the fasteners first on both sides of the bed, insert the hoops on both sides and then tighten securely. Because we get snow, we also installed a horizontal pipe at the apex of each hoop, securing them together with zip ties to help with snow load and to prevent the cover from falling through.

Be careful when inserting the hoops! Chad had a fastener slip out and the under-tension hoop smacked him soundly in the face and gave him a fat lip! Who knew gardening could be so dangerous!

8-foot hoops with horizontal pipe for snow load

3. Cover the Hoops: Drape the cover material over the hoops, ensuring that it reaches the ground on both sides.

4. Secure the Cover: Use clips, stakes, or weights to anchor the cover to the ground, ensuring it remains in place during windy conditions.  If using clips, it may be tempting to stretch it tight for aesthetics like we first did, but leaving some slack between the individual hoops allows the structure to better resist wind. For the ends we gathered all the cover material in a bundle and wrapped a tarp cover around it for easy access.

Final Thoughts

Low tunnels are an excellent investment for any gardener looking to enhance their garden bed's productivity and protect their plants. They are easy to set up, cost-effective, and provide numerous benefits that can make a significant difference in your gardening success. So, why not give low tunnels a try and see the difference they can make in your garden?

9-foot hoops over the kale bed

Happy gardening! 🌱🏡