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Make your own garden hoops with tree branch cuttings.
Estimated time frame: This project took me about an afternoon.
Supplies:
Wood cuttings 6 feet in length or more
zip ties
polypropylene rope (optional)
1.2 oz felted row cover
In effort to extend the season last fall, I created a row cover using some sturdy-ish looking wire and a felted canvas purchased the previous spring. However, the dilapidated hoops for the winter row covers were pretty pathetic this year. They did offer some protection, but they didn't hold up to the snow.
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| Dilapidated Row Covers |
This wouldn't do, but making substantial purchases are also not an option for me. After watching a YouTube video on making wicker fencing using fresh wood cuttings, I realized I had the supplies necessary to complete the project: suitable cuttings from a bush, polypropylene rope, and zip ties.
I realized later that one could use zip ties for the whole project without the rope, but this is how I made them this year.
Also, one caveat to this method is the covers can get caught on the small twigs, creating holes in the canvas, so care must be taken when arranging the cover so as to not harm it.
Do not place fine mesh insect netting over these hoops, as it will damage the fine-weave on the netting.
However, larger-weave bird netting and felted row covers should be fine for these hoops. The larger-weave bird netting will keep birds from damaging your seedlings in early spring when food is scarce and these tender vegetables look very appealing.
For those interested, affordable 10' wide netting for a standard 4' garden bed can be found here.
For winter, I recommend 1.2 oz felted row covers are best to protect your plants from wind and frost. Click here to view the covers I purchased.
An Amorpha fruticosa bush was planted at the northeast end of my garden. It is a legumous shrub useful for adding nitrogen to the soil. Every year, it gets cut down to make way for new growth.
This bush had just over 30 branches which are just over 1 inch thick at the base. These would make 15 or 16 hoops. The branches are sturdy, but still have some flexibility to them, especially at the ends.
You can use maple, witch hazel, willow, or any branches with similar strength and flexibility, however, they should be fresh cut. If they dry out, they will be too brittle to manage.
After cutting them at the base, most of the smaller sticks at the end should be removed. My son wanted to help, so he completed this step.
Then braid the remaining ends together and tie them with polypropylene rope. This rope doesn't degrade so quickly in the sun. You could also use zip ties.
Sort the branches by length. For the longer branches, use two, and positioned each such that the bases are at the end of the hoop with the braided tips joined at the center. For shorter branches, join 3 together, with the 3rd added at the hoop's center to give proper length and strength to the middle of the hoop.
Measure so that the center is 60" from the ends or the whole hoop measures about 10', and join with several zip ties at the center and along the length of the hoop. Cut off the zip tie ends for a finished look. Trim any sticks that stick out.
The hoops should be spaced about 5' apart in the garden to give enough support to the felted canvas.
Place the hoop ends in the soil several inches deep at either side of the bed so that the hoops stand up.
If adding the cover right away, place the cover over the hoops, and twist the ends together into a knot. Secure it with a rubber band or other instrument.
Place rocks or boards over the cover edges to secure. There you have it- low tunnels to protect your plants in winter.
Happy Gardening!
Click here to get yourself some zip ties. So useful!
Click here to view the felted row covers that protected my plants in winter, and allowed me to eat delicious, fresh salads in March and April, before transplants can grow for spring planting.
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