Finally, A Better Poly Low Tunnel For Season Extension Success!

*************

Say goodbye to ordinary poly low tunnels, and say hello to the ultimate season extension success! Join Curtis Stone as shares the secrets behind a better and more effective poly low tunnel. Discover innovative techniques, tips, and tricks that will take your season extension game to new heights. Don't miss out on this game-changing episode packed with invaluable knowledge for every serious farmer and gardener!

*************

About Curtis Stone:

Curtis is one of the world’s most highly sought-after small farming educators. His book, The Urban Farmer, offers a new way to think about farming𑁋 one where quality of life and profitability coexist. Today, Curtis spends most of his time building his 40-acre off-grid homestead in British Columbia. He leverages his relationships with other experts to bring diverse content into the homes of gardeners and aspiring small farmers from around the world. Learn more at FromTheField.TV.

**************

*************

Music and Footage commonly used on this channel:

[stevecinelli]

That's all I use in Palmer, AK. I use 2' rebar, on 5 ft centers, and 3/4" plastic electrical conduit (it's made with UV stabilizers). a 10 ft stick covers two 30" beds perfectly, and it doesn't have to be bent like a metal conduit. Just poke the conduit over the the tops of the rebars. I used cheap 6 mil builders plastic. Works fine. I also use these spring clamps to hold the plastic down. You can find these spring clamps at Harbor Freight or online. this plastic conduit works good on two beds, but don't be tempted to put two sticks together and cover more. No bueno. I tried it and the plastic conduit isn't strong enough. I have my low tunnels already set up for spring. I did not cover them as we get bad winds in winter. Once 1-March and our thawing weather returns I'll clamp plastic over the hoops and get ready for my way early spring planting.

[jbearmcdougall]

I'm just starting out with a about 1 acre, I've got a polytunnel and a garden for outdoor cropping....I live in Northern Ireland, I watch your video's all the time...

[eddieslittlestack]

Ok that’s pretty! 2:06 The hoops are pretty & the rows of veggies are pretty.

[cowboyyoga]

Thanks Curtis! Perfect timing that I found this video. Monday had plans to buy rope and plastic. So now it will be strap and plastic. ))) Thanks for the video!

[sushiyamaster]

Thanks to you Curtis I am turning beds as we speak for an early spring start. A video on how to harvest properly around low tunnels would be welcome. Thanks for all your help.

[robertdiffin]

You might consider terminating the strapping at the 45 degree hoop, and connecting that 45 degree hoop to the rebar stake with a strong rubber strap or even strong bungee cord (this will maintain a constant pressure on the entire assembly).

[MikeV]

I wonder if paracord would work as well?

[YouCantEatTheGrass]

Great solution, plus it will be so much cleaner to store when not being used

[chantalgardner]

I will be updating the new low tunnels. I love it. Thank you so much for sharing.

[JSHomesteader]

What a fantastic idea. By the way, your videos are my new go-to reference for my Fall, Winter and Spring gardening. Such amazing content. Congratulations on such great work!

[asdfjkl]

Interested to see what happens when they get some snow load. My cat tunnel had issues this summer with wind causing the first hoop to slide/collapse in despite the strapping being wrapped around it. Ended up using a tech screw through the strap into the hoop to stop the slippage.

[jesus.maryandjoseph]

Great idea! One question… How do you water your plants? My assumption is that you must have an irrigation for automatic watering set in place? I don’t have an irrigation system, so this set up wouldn’t work well for us, as we would have to be removing the plastic cover frequently to water the plants. For those with an irrigation system, this would be wonderful!

[StaarveyFarm]

Definately better, you could go one step further - I am going to try it on my caterpillar tunnel - is to use 2 or 3 black strap - a centre one like yours and the other 2 a bit further down giving a bit more stifening to 'roof' - and the straps are quite cheap. I don't get any snow - just lots of wind !!

[yearofthegarden]

curtis, you can make them cat tunnels by taking S hooks and pressing them onto the rebar on each hoop, then run the string over. the extra plastic that drapes onto the ground will gutter with water and generally keep the sides down

[gkey]

That's a great idea. Where did you find those that long spool of strapping?

[lcrread]

This method is so much better! Thanks, Curtis.

[terrordactyl]

That Richard Perkins farm is killer as well thanks for the suggestions.

[DeerParkFarmstead]

I really dig that tune Curtis. Good chops.

Perhaps a ratchet style strap holder would be even better as the soil may adjust the hoops & spikes. Just a thought.

[gavinmatthews]

I know you have probably thought of this, but what about running 12-19mm poly irrigation line down the ridge line with over head irrigation would save you taking the plastic off every time to water?

[barryhh]

If you weld a piece of steel plate say 6 x 4 abut 8 to 10 inches down on the re-bar so it is buried well into the ground and face it parallel to the hoops they will be much harder to move but still be easy to pull out.