High Tunnel Hoop House Construction for New Mexico


Round 606

Revised by Del Jimenez

Higher of Agronomical, Consumer and Ecology Sciences , New Mexico State University


Writer: Agriculture Specialist, Rural Agricultural Comeback and Public Affairs Project (RAIPAP), New United mexican states Country University. (Print Friendly PDF)

Loftier tunnel hoop houses are a type of greenhouse structure. They are built on the basis and are large enough to walk into. For oestrus, they rely on passive solar heating. They are practical and economical to build.

Hoop houses, common cold frames, and high tunnels are all types of greenhouses with similar designs. The hoop firm gets its proper name from its shape, although houses tin can be synthetic with straight lines using elbows to get the desired shape for a building. The shape of a hoop house sheds water and snow from its exterior while allowing sunlight in to provide heat.

Houses of this category are made with aluminum or plastic PVC pipes as hoops that are covered with a single layer of polymer plastic covering. A second layer can be added for better insulation.

Photograph of a completed high tunnel hoop house structure.

Reasons to Build a Loftier Tunnel Hoop House

High tunnel hoop houses are self-contained ecosystems, and the environment within tin can be manipulated to a meet crop's need. High tunnel hoop houses can extend the growing season since you can plant early, and the collection of heat units (such equally growing degree days) with the establish is higher, resulting in earlier harvesting and a longer growing flavour. Planting in late summertime and early fall allows you to produce and harvest throughout the winter months when using the correct crops at the correct time. Planting in a protected environment guards the crop from bad weather condition and low temperatures and allows you to control the ingather's quality.

Factors to Consider Earlier Building a Loftier Tunnel Hoop House

High tunnel hoop houses are relatively cheap to construct, costing around $2.50 per square pes, with depression maintenance once constructed. They are easy to build and adapt to small or big land units to meet the needs of gardeners and farmers alike.

Since plants need sunlight to grow, light penetration should be a concern in structure design. Abound lights tin can be used, only these require an electric source. In areas where air current and snow are common, consider the load limitations the construction must have to endure stress. The acme of the hoop firm can be adjusted by lengthening the rib pipes then that you can walk and work inside comfortably; therefore, you should think most meridian before construction starts.

Selecting a Site for a Loftier Tunnel Hoop Firm

Select a site that is moderately level with good drainage and good soil if you plan to plant directly into the soil. A site can be modified past soil fill so that structure is on a pad. Select a site in an open up area where trees and other obstacles will not touch on sunday penetration or create shadows (Effigy 1).

Figure 1: Photograph of a leveled piece of land for a high tunnel hoop house.

Effigy ane. Preparing land for a high tunnel hoop firm.

Consider the surrounding area so the structure will be protected against loftier winds and heavy snows to assistance extend its life. Water will exist needed in the loftier tunnel, and electricity may be an choice y'all may want to consider. Security and protection confronting vandalism of the high tunnel hoop house and crop may likewise be a factor to consider when selecting a site.

Orientation of the High Tunnel Hoop House

In the Southwest, positioning your high tunnel in a north–s direction is preferable considering air currents come from a south or southwest direction and will help ventilate the hot air buildup inside the high tunnel hoop house on hot days. The east–westward orientation favors sun penetration since the sunday tracks from e to west, going directly over the hoop house for maximum low-cal penetration.

Painting Wooden Materials

Before showtime construction, paint all wooden edifice materials with a durable exterior-type paint (Figure 2). This will help protect the wooden materials and extend the life of the hoop firm.

Figure 2: Photograph of people painting the wooden components of the hoop house.

Figure two. Painting all wooden materials for a high tunnel hoop house.

Laying Out the Loftier Tunnel Hoop House

Begin past choosing the size of a high tunnel hoop business firm that meets your needs. Then square off the corners of the high tunnel hoop house using the Pythagorean Theorem:

A2 + Btwo = C2

(length of building)² + (width of edifice)² = (hypotenuse of building)²

A (32 ft)² + B (14 ft)² = (1,024 ft + 196 ft) = 1,220 ft

√one,220 = 34.92

C = 34.92 ft or 34 ft 11 in.

Photograph of Pythagorean Theorem.

Measure out out two of the hoop house walls (one long and i short, corresponding to the length and width of the triangle example) and use stakes or similar materials to marker the three corners. Then measure the hypotenuse between the two outside corners. Adapt the corner markers as needed so the hypotenuse measurement is correct. Then marker the quaternary and final corner, and measure and adjust the other hypotenuse.

Setting Stakes

After squaring the corners of the high tunnel hoop house, set four stakes in the ground using 1/2-in. rebar 24 in. long. Bulldoze these stakes 12 in. into the footing at a xxx-degree angle from vertical. The tops of the stakes should point inwards toward the hoop firm interior. Half of the stake volition at present be underground and half volition be above the soil. Identify a cord around the 4 corners to outline the hoop house'southward foundation.

Along both lengths of the high tunnel hoop firm and within the cord, drive 24-in. rebar stakes every four ft autonomously, 12 in. deep, at a thirty-degree angle, until y'all reach the desired length of building (Figure 3).

Figure 3. Photograph of people using string and rebar to mark the outline of the hoop house.

Figure iii. Placing the rebar stakes and marking the outline of the hoop house.

Setting the Plastic PVC Pipe Hoops

The standard length for PVC pipe is 20 ft. With a 12-foot-broad hoop house, the pinnacle in the center is approximately 6 ane/ii ft. On a sixteen-pes-wide hoop firm, the height is approximately v 1/2 ft.

Adding an actress 5-ft length of pipage to each rib will increase the height and width of a hoop house. With 25-ft, ribs your loftier tunnel hoop house volition be about 8 one/ii ft high at a 14-ft width.

It is recommended that you add the actress length to the ends of a 20-ft pipe because, when the pipage is aptitude, the stress is non as severe on the glued joint.

There are various diameters of PVC pipes that tin can be used for the hoops; 1 in., 1 ane/2 in., and 2 in. are the about mutual.

Nosotros recommend using 2-in. PVC because it holds up well to winds bravado fifty mph and the occasional snow 10 in. thick on the plastic. Use new plastic pipe for construction because weathered pipe volition be brittle and break when bending. In one case the pipes for the hoops have been bent and weathered, the pipage will retain its aptitude shape and can be reused for some other hoop house project.

When the rebar stakes are set, information technology'due south fourth dimension to identify the PVC pipage (Figure 4). This is achieved by placing one end of the pipe over one of the rebar stakes, so bending the piping to identify the contrary end of the pipe on the pale on the opposite side (Effigy five). If the rebar stakes are perpendicular to the ground, it is very difficult to place the pipe on the spike. That is why stakes should be placed at a 30-degree angle.

Figure 4. Photograph of people laying out the PVC pipes for the frame.

Effigy 4. Laying out the plastic PVC pipage for the hoops for the high tunnel hoop house.

Figure 5: Photograph of people bending the PVC pipes and setting them on the rebar.

Figure five. Angle the PVC pipage for the high tunnel hoop house.

Installing the Wooden Baseboards

Baseboards are installed to give the hoop house stability, and are where the plastic covering is fastened. The baseboards should be i in. × iv in. boards, butted and fastened together by 12-in. caryatid pieces to equal 32 ft. On the exterior of the hoops along the base of the hoop house, place the baseboard using ii-in. drywall screws attached to the 2-in. PVC pipes. Make sure the screws and caryatid pieces are faced toward the within when installing the baseboard.

When both sides are in place, drive iii 24-in. rebar stakes aptitude in a "J" design along each side. These are hooked over the bottom baseboard to provide stability during loftier winds. Likewise identify another ane in. × 4 in. × 32 ft batten board 5 1/2 ft from the ground along each outside side to improve stability. Use an I-beam level to ensure that the crossbar boards are level along the length of the hoop firm (Figures half dozen and 7).

Figure 6: Photograph of people using an I-beam level to level the side braces.

Effigy 6. Using an I-beam level to ensure the side braces are level.

Figure 7: Photograph of all the bent PVC pipes forming the skeleton of the hoop house.

Figure 7. High tunnel hoop house structure going upward, with base of operations and side batten boards.

Installing 3/iv-IN. PVC Pipe Inside

At that place are three 3/4-in. PVC pipes running the length of the within of the high tunnel hoop business firm that will exist used for stability, and tin can be used to install sprinklers or baste irrigation in one case your firm is completed. These PVC pipes volition be placed on the 1 in. × 4 in. × 32 ft side batten boards that were installed in the previous step. Use 3/4-in. conduit saddles to hold the pipes to the wood. Use two-in. screws to attach the woods to the ii-in. PVC rib pipe. The 3rd 3/iv-in. pipage and batten board will exist put in the center inside of the high tunnel (Figure viii).

Figure 8: Photograph of people attaching PVC pipe to the top batten board.

Figure eight. Attaching 3/four-in. water pipage lines to the batten boards.

Adding End Walls

Stretch a string at ground level along the bottom of the first hoop and find the center, which volition exist used equally a guide to construct the entrance. Measure along the string two ft in each direction from the center indicate. Mark these spots and dig a hole 6 in. around and eighteen in. deep. Identify a two in. × 4 in. × x ft board into each hole, and bending the top so that the woods fits under the hoop (Figure 9); cut the lath to length if needed. Level the 2×iv in both directions, making certain there are 48 in. from the center of the hoop to the forest. Fill up in the holes with dirt, and secure the top with a iv-in. drywall screw running through the piping into the wood.

Figure 9: Photograph of people framing the end of the hoop house.

Figure nine. Construction of end wall on high tunnel hoop house.

When the uprights are fix, frame the bottom and the middle from the door frame to the two-in. plastic rib pipe using 2×4s cut to size; refer to Figures 10 and eleven for examples. Then construct a door using 2×4s to fit into the door frame and attach with door hinges. This is done at both ends of the high tunnel hoop firm frame (Figures 12 and xiii).

Figure 10: Photograph of people framing the end of the hoop house.

Figure x. Framing of end wall on high tunnel hoop house.

Figure 11: Photograph of the hoop house with PVC pipes and batten boards installed.

Figure eleven. High tunnel hoop house construction.

Figure 12: Photograph of people constructing a door frame for the hoop house end.

Figure 12. Making a door frame for the high tunnel hoop business firm.

Figure 13: Photograph of high tunnel hoop house structure with door frame installed.

Figure 13. High tunnel hoop business firm structure with door frame installed.

Attaching Polyethylene Plastic Roofing to End Walls

Greenhouse polyethylene plastic moving-picture show is a durable and inexpensive manner to cover your greenhouse. It offers UV protection, and can last for upwards to 12 years if cared for correctly. Information technology will likewise retain a lot of heat and humidity for year-circular growing. The moving-picture show comes in rolls 100 ft long and 12–54 ft wide. For the hoop business firm, use 6 mil plastic film 24 ft × 100 ft.

Cutting the plastic to the appropriate size (Effigy xiv); the pieces should exist cutting several inches larger than the terminate walls and so you have plastic to pull on while stretching information technology over the ends.

Figure 14: Photograph of people laying out the UV protectant plastic cover that will cover the high tunnel hoop house.

Figure fourteen. Laying out the UV protectant plastic cover that will encompass the high tunnel hoop house.

Starting in the middle of your end walls, attach the greenhouse plastic to the frame, always keeping the plastic stretched taut (Figures xv and 16). Sandwich the plastic covering between a 1/four in. × ii in. × 10 ft long furring strip and the frame of the building. The furring strip will be placed on the outside of the finish wall's frame pipe (Figure 17). Once the plastic is in place between the furring strip and the pipe rib, proceed to adhere the plastic cover onto the 2-in. plastic pipe ribs using screws 10 in. apart. You may desire to pre-drill a 1/4-in. pigsty in the furring strip every 10 in. earlier attaching the wood strips to the plastic pipe.

Now that the plastic is attached to the terminate walls, proceed to cutting out the door in the door frame.

Figure 15: Photograph of people attaching UV protectant plastic to the end wall on the high tunnel hoop house.

Figure 15. Attaching UV protectant plastic to the stop wall on the high tunnel hoop house.

Figure 16: Photograph of people attaching UV protectant plastic to the end wall on the high tunnel hoop house.

Figure 16. Attaching UV protectant plastic to the finish wall on the high tunnel hoop business firm.

Figure 17: Photograph of a person using a drill to attach the plastic between the furring strip and PVC pipe.

Figure 17. Use a furring strip to attach the UV protectant plastic to end wall on the loftier tunnel hoop house.

Attaching Polyethylene Plastic Roofing Over High Tunnel Hoop House Frame

Cut a slice of plastic that is around two feet longer than the full length of the hoop house; this will requite you lot extra plastic to pull on while stretching the plastic over the frame. Pull your greenhouse plastic over your high tunnel hoop firm frame. Be very conscientious that the plastic does not claw onto annihilation when pulling it over.

Start from the middle and work your way outward, pulling the plastic tight while attaching your plastic comprehend to the outside batten board (Figure 18). Once fastened, go to the opposite side and attach your plastic cover to your other outside batten lath.

Figure 18: Photograph of people attaching UV protectant plastic over the high tunnel hoop house.

Figure 18. Attaching UV protectant plastic over the high tunnel hoop house.

At present that your plastic encompass is fastened, pull your plastic down and out and attach it to the baseboard (Figure xix). Keep to the opposite side and repeat.

On the terminate rib pipes, pull the plastic cover out and sandwich the plastic between a 1/4 in. × two in. × 10 ft long furring strip and the rib piping. Trim excess plastic off your edifice.

Figure 19: Photograph of people attaching UV protectant plastic to the high tunnel hoop house baseboards.

Effigy xix. Attaching UV protectant plastic to the high tunnel hoop business firm baseboards.

Hoop House Structure Textile List and Estimated Costs (every bit of 3/2019)

Particular

Toll per ($)

Quantity

Total cost ($)

Plastic PVC pipes, 2 in. × 20 ft

22.00

x

220.00

Plastic PVC pipes, 3/four in. × xx ft

viii.00

5

40.00

2-hole conduit straps

0.25

28

7.00

Rebar, 1/2 in. × 24 in.

two.75

xviii standard

viii J-hooks

71.fifty

Glue and primer set up

25.00

i

25.00

Drywall screws

ane in. (box of 150)

ii in. (box of 150)

3 in. (box of 150)

4 in. (box of 150)

7.fifty

7.50

7.fifty

8.fifty

2

2

two

1

fifteen.00

15.00

15.00

8.50

Wooden boards

1 in. × four in. × 10 ft

1 in. × 4 in. × 12 ft

viii.50

9.00

21

seven

178.50

63.00

Plastic film cover (half dozen-mil), 24 ft × 100 ft

330.00

1

330.00

Wooden studs, 2 in. × 4 in. × 10 ft

four.50

25

112.50

Hinges

2.50

4

10.00

Latches

iii.50

2

7.00

Paint

25.00

ii

50.00

Roller brush

ten.00

one

10.00

Total Toll

1,178.00

Conclusion

A high tunnel hoop business firm is a practical tool that is affordable to construct and practical to use, and can extend the growing season and perhaps improve income for an operation. By choosing selective low-profile fruits and vegetables that withstand cold temperatures, it is possible to grow most of the year without using heating equipment and electricity. These structures, with special plastic covers, tin can keep inside temperatures 4–6°F warmer than outside temperatures, and with a row encompass made from specially improved webbings over the crop, another iv–6°F increment can be obtained. With these structures, you can make the farming of food crops affordable, assisting, and fun all year long.

For Farther Reading

H-149: Marketing Alternatives for Small- to Medium-sized Family Farms and Ranches
https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/H149/welcome.html

H-252: Hoop Firm Vegetable Product
https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_h/H252/welcome.html

CR-556: Greenhouse Vegetable Production
https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR556/welcome.html

CR-687: Managing Organic Thing in Farm and Garden Soils
https://aces.nmsu.edu/pubs/_circulars/CR687/welcome.html


Photos of the hoop house structure were taken at a Taos Pueblo workshop.


Original authors: Del Jimenez, Agronomical Specialist, Rural Agricultural Improvement and Public Affairs Projection (RAIPAP); Ron Walser, Fruit Specialist, RAIPAP; and Reynaldo Torres, Agricultural Agent, Taos Canton Extension Servi ce.


Photo of Del Jimenez

Del Jimenez received his B.S. from the Academy of Arizona in fauna science, agronomy, and horticulture and his M.A. in agriculture and Extension education from New United mexican states State University. Del now works for NMSU's Cooperative Extension Service as an Agronomics Specialist working with limited-resource farmers and ranchers implementing sustainable farming and ranching programs appropriate for their needs.


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Revised October 2019 Las Cruces, NM