Make a Row Cover Hoop House

Many leafy spring and fall crops are frost tolerant into the 20s, but if you're dealing with lower temperatures, you need to give them little extra warmth under the protection of a row cover. Depending on their thickness, these blankets give 4 to 8 degrees of extra protection on freezing nights...

Winter greens are cold hardy but may need some extra warmth on really cold nights. Use row cover.

Many leafy spring and fall crops are frost tolerant into the 20s, but if you're dealing with lower temperatures, you need to give them little extra warmth under the protection of a row cover. Depending on their thickness, these blankets give 4 to 8 degrees of extra protection on freezing nights, which can make a real difference when you're planting early in the year or trying to extend the growing season.

What's more, on sunny days row covers trap heat to encourage more growth—which means more harvest of lettuce, spinach, kale, and other hardy crops. But that's not all: As the weather warms, a row cover can also protect tomatoes, peppers, and other summer vegetables from unexpected late frosts.

Although frost blankets and floating row covers can simply drape on top of garden plants, they are most effective when supported by PVC hoops. As part of a row cover hoop house, the sides of the fabric can be anchored to the soil to trap air in the resulting tunnel, creating an insulating air space.

Make your own row-cover hoop house using a few simple materials

Lay out your design to suit your garden. Remember that while the PVC pipe is flexible, it doesn't flex a lot, so your frame will need to be fairly short and wide. Farm-style spun-bond row cover material is available at farm and homesteading supply stores, and frost blankets can be found at most home improvement stores. Both are available in many lengths and widths and can be cut to size. If don't find the exact size you need, you can stitch pieces together. We used 1/2″ rebar and 1″ PVC pipe, but you can use other sizes as long as the PVC pipe has a slightly larger diameter than the rebar.

Materials

  • Flexible PVC pipe
  • Rebar stakes
  • Spun-bond row cover material or frost blankets
  • Twist ties or twine
  • Bricks
Secure the edges and ends of the row cover to the ground.
Use bricks, other heavy material, or pins to secure the floating row cover to the ground. If unsecured, even light winds will pick the row cover up and carry it off to another part of your yard.
Step 1. Lay out your design with the hoops approximately 2 feet apart to avoid sagging. Measure the lengths of PVC pipe you’ll need and cut the pipe using a PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw.
Step 1. Lay out your design with the hoops approximately 2 feet apart to avoid sagging. Measure the lengths of PVC pipe you’ll need and cut the pipe using a PVC pipe cutter or hacksaw.
Step 2. Hammer the rebar into the ground at the crossbar points according to your design, leaving approximately 4 to 6 inches sticking out of the ground.
Step 2. Hammer the rebar into the ground at the crossbar points according to your design, leaving approximately 4 to 6 inches sticking out of the ground.
Step 3. Slip the lengths of PVC pipe over the rebar stakes, gently bending the pipe to create arcs, or hoops, that are secured on both sides.
Step 3. Slip the lengths of PVC pipe over the rebar stakes, gently bending the pipe to create arcs, or hoops, that are secured on both sides.
Step 4. For added support, run a length of PVC pipe across the top of the hoops and secure it to the tops of the arcs using twist ties or twine.
Step 4. For added support, run a length of PVC pipe across the top of the hoops and secure it to the tops of the arcs using twist ties or twine.
Step 5. Drape the row cover over the PVC structure. Secure it to the ground using bricks or other heavy material you have on hand.
Step 5. Drape the row cover over the PVC structure. Secure it to the ground using bricks or other heavy material you have on hand