Low Tunnel - Easy DIY Hoop Bender

A simple way to bend 1/2" metal 10' EMT conduit pipe for season extension. Definitely more elegant ways to do this for sure, but this is quick, low tech and works pretty darn well considering the time and effort involved.

Edible Acres is a full service permaculture nursery located in the Finger Lakes area of NY state. We grow all layers of perennial food forest systems and provide super hardy, edible, useful, medicinal, easy to propagate, perennial plants for sale locally or for shipping around the country…
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[dorgannancy]

I bought 2 sizes of benders from Johnny's Seeds but your diy method looks easier. No need to find place to mount bender.
I use insect netting over my hoops during summer but it is delicate and can snag on the galvanized pipes. I found a great solution by slipping inexpensive 3/4" black irrigation tubing over the 1/2" metal pipe. It looks great and can be left outside year round

[ceedee]

just rewatched, such fantastic instructions

[fourdayhomestead]

Great info. For a double layer of poly, pipe insulation or pool noodles can hold the 1st layer on, while 2nd layer is held with office clips (this double layer worked for my over wintered roots in zone 4)

[josephdemeo]

I just started watching your channel, while Im only 19 and live at home still, Ill def be coming back and watching these videos when I have my own garden and backyard. Great videos!

[cpnotill]

Awesome way to bend the hoops Sean. I already had a hoop bender which is mounted to a piece of plywood. When needed I put onto some sawhorses and bend away. One thing I do is tie a lightweight cordage in the middle of each hoop and onto the next hoop then stake at end of row of hoops. This supports the remay or plastic I use so as to prevent the sag so that the wind has less to catch onto. Always look forward to your videos! 🌱👍

[edibleacres]

Please comment here with ideas on ways to improve this, tips or methods to get better results, or links to videos of other folks showing alternative ways to bend these pipes. I recognize fully this is probably the most rough sketch way to get the job done, and a great way to start, but definitely not the best method available...
Happy bending!

[angelad.]

Gosh, this is an example of how I love living not too far from your area. You make a video on a subject that I am thinking about and voila!! Love it! They are pricier here in Canada but still reasonable for this purpose. FYI to everyone, it you want bug free brassicas, use these all season with a mesh that keeps the bugs off. It lets water and light through and your veg will be awesome!

[Frantic]

How clever! I've wanted to make some of those, but I couldn't figure out how to hold the ends. THANK YOU!

[fourdayhomestead]

I checked on the cost of a hoop bender, but I wouldn't need one for the small projects I have planned. Glad you posted this.

[kirstenwhitworth]

I use two hoops at right angles to one another to create an "igloo" for tender shrubs (like artichokes) It works very well in my climate.

[jessicacarpio]

Excellent tutoriel. Love the sketchy pvc clips. Thank you for sharing

[renaissancewomanfarm]

I helped my neighbor with this task. He used the galvanized metal tubes that are used as chain link top rail. Same principle but he did the plywood method. We found that when the going got tough on the back side and he jerked the metal, it would get a crimp, so slow and steady worked better. I have not tried it, but have read, that with the smaller tubing like the EMT it won't kink if you fill it with sand first. I suppose that will depend on how much time you want to take and how perfect do you need them to be. We do have a local hardware store that rents the tube benders, but they are size specific.

[birchmoonfarm]

Brilliant!! I really appreciate your cost effective processes. Thank you for sharing! I feel like a lot of what we do on our homestead is trial and error, so it is nice to get tips from others that are doing it too.

[stevehatcher]

I use the grey plastic PVC conduit tubing. Do have to use rebar to anchor them. They bend to your dimension when you place them onto the rebar. And I've been using the binder clips for the past 5-6 years too! Used plastic from local farms too. Farms with huge high tunnels replace their plastic after too many rips and tears from windstorms and winter ice. A 200+ foot long and 50 foot wide piece of plastic, even full of big tears and holes, has many usable sections I can cut to fit my low tunnels.

[louisecamm]

You are so fantasticly diy!!!! Love love love it. Super creative

[Bayplaces]

Thanks! This inspired me to make a pipe bending jig out of a scrap sheet of siding and leftover screws. It's making consistently good hoops. Most pre-made options are sold out and this felt resourceful.

[revolutionfarm]

This is such useful information, thank you, Sean. I look forward to watching how you attach the poly, hopefully in a video from you soon!

[TruthPrevail]

Wow what a simple and effective idea it is. Thank you for sharing with us. Those binder clips and PVC pipe are brilliant DIY concept. Thank you.👍

[SmallGardenQuest]

Great project! I always strive to have renewable materials in my garden and having metal hoops will definitely go in the right direction. Now I just need to visit my local store. Thanks!

[colinmcglone]

I appreciate all of your videos. You are very knowledgeable, practical, and approachable. I’ve already learned and applied so much that you’ve taught me. God bless you.