Some time ago I came across this link about Eliot Coleman’s latest and greatest invention for doing what he does best – extending the growing season. Using relatively cheap materials (electrical conduit, sand bags, row cover and plastic) and a really simple design (you can put one up in about 20 minutes), he has come up with a design for low tunnels that replicates most of the function of a hoop house at a fraction of the costs. So when the “Quick Hoops Bender” showed up on the Johnny’s website we quickly got to work trying out his new model.
We decided to test the quick hoops on the new plot we prepared last weekend, which we prepped and planted with cold hardy crops that will either mature for a mid-winter harvest (spinach, chard, etc.) or over-winter for a harvest early next spring (carrots, onions, etc.)
After bending the half-inch electrical conduit we sunk each end into the ground every five feet down the length of our beds (25 feet). With a little muscle we were able to fit three 2 foot wide beds between the ends of each hoop. Then we rolled out our row cover fabric (Agribon AG-19 in our case), fit it snugly over the top of the hoops and secured it in place by resting sand bags along side of each hoop. It worked great!
In about a month we’ll supplement the row cover fabric with 4-mil greenhouse plastic which will take us into the really cold months. We’ll see how well the conduit – and the crops – stand up the cold and snow. Check back later this winter and hopefully we’ll have some pictures of a bountiful winter harvest!
UPDATE: While the Quick Hoops Bender is available through the Johnny’s website it was actually developed by Lost Creek Greenhouse Systems. Thanks to Loy from Lost Creek for filling us in (see comments below).
3 Comments
Hi Guys,
I’m a graduate student in a master’s of business program (sustainable track!) at the university of oregon. i’m doing a final project on the economic viability of urban farming.
can you tell me roughly how much an urban farmer can make say with a quarter acre or so? there’s a 9 month growing season here as well, different from cleveland i know! (i’m from erie pa.)
any info much appreciated!
best, katie
Peter,
QUOTE ” So when the “Quick Hoops Bender” showed up on the Johnny’s website we quickly got to work trying out his new model.”
Just to set the record straight and Eliot would be the first to confirm the record. The Quick Hoop bender you refer to at Johnnys Selected Seeds is our product http://www.lostcreek.net . Invented by myself years ago and has been on the market for several years. We offer Quick Hoop benders to bend hoops for hoop houses also. After talking to Eliot by phone months ago I sent him a sample for his and Johnnys evaluation , to say the least they were thrilled with our bending tools. After their evaulation Johnnys ask for a three year exclusive on the two row cover models and I agreed. Eliots endorsement of our product can be veiwed at http://www.lostcreek.net
Best,
Loy
Loy -
Thanks for letting us know and congrats on developing such an effective and easy to use product!
- Peter