Comments
Caca5ta1n OP t1_jbksv4s wrote
Considering building a diy greenhouse with either pvc pipes or cattle panels, but not sure if either is better or worse given the weight of winter snow. Curious if I can learn from anyone else's experiences.
IamSauerKraut t1_jblf2lu wrote
Don't use the 1" bendable PVC. Sure, it is less expensive than the 2" but it does not hold up well. I've done 2" with a fairly steep roof angle covered in the thick Poly - which does filter some of the sun but it worked ok. Not as good as glass on wood, but I could build it larger at a slightly lower cost.
IamSauerKraut t1_jblf6za wrote
If you have a gardener in Gardiner, will it grow?
DeceptivelyBreezy t1_jblkjii wrote
When I built a similar but smaller “hoop house”, I got the longest rebar I could find, then got PVC tubes that were about a foot shorter than the rebar. For each hoop, I jammed one end of the rebar in the ground, then threaded the rest through a PVC tube, then jammed the other end of the rebar into the ground. I used another piece of rebar as the top ridge line, and used zip ties to attach the hoops to the ridge line. It worked pretty well — the biggest problem was remembering to leave the door flap open for ventilation on sunny days!
Getheavystayheavy t1_jbntxuo wrote
Can speak from personal experience having experienced several greenhouse collapses over the years. 3/4 pvc will definitely collapse in winter so will 2” and cattle panel style. The 2” pipe @ 20’ length can be made to survive if spaced at 3’ and you put in 2x4 posts at ridge under every hoop every winter all the way into may(had one collapse in April before). If you have any money for this project the best option for DIY is johnnys seed co gothic greenhouse benders, comes with instruction book. Mine is 14x68 and I never remove snow from top or sides. Sometimes the snow is 7’ tall up against it and it works perfect.
occultv0lt t1_jbkzll5 wrote
Don't do one like in the picture, it won't hold upto the snow. You need a gothic arch (although some take the plastic off each year, I don't have experience with that). If you bend your gothic arch it will be just a little more work but well worth it, this is an example of the kind of arch I mean https://www.farmersfriend.com/p/gothic-caterpillar-tunnel
I would not trust pvc pipes, I would personally look at trying to source some chainlink fence posts and use a pipe bender on them, you can set in your limits on a board so that all your bends are repeatable.
Worth looking into the NRCS who do a season extension grant for poly tunnels, go talk to your local extension and you may be able to get one for free but they have rules that you will need to be up on.
Personally when I build my next one I will probably use wood and frame it out, then use polycarbonate instead of plastic film and would be more interested in a Chinese/arctic style greenhouse (southern side exposure with northern side covered up and used for a thermal mass etc).