You've probably seen one or three of my mini greenhouse plans videos. The most recent one talks about the complete fail of the plastic cover in the middle of winter. Here are the photos that show my attempt at repair before the complete breakdown of the covering.
My big mistake 4 months prior to the fail was to put screws through the top of the PVC pipes, and then lay plastic sheeting over the screw heads. Who knew that the metal screw head would eventually puncture through the plastic, starting as all holes do, small.
Prior to the small hole caused by the screw, all was good in the mini greenhouse. These rosemary plants had over-wintered well. Not so well after the plastic ripped though.
My attempt at repair was to use packing tape over the screw head and the splitting plastic. I knew it was not a 100% guaranteed repair, as it was cold out when I applied the tape. I don't think other tape would have worked either. The glue on tape is not cold friendly.
That small hole grew through the winter, with the weight of heavy wet snow, and lots of wind. Then we had even more wind and that caused the complete tearing of the mini greenhouse cover. Darn. It sat for a while before I was ready to walk over and deal with it. Besides, there was still 18" of snow on the ground. I knew all the plants inside the hoop house were toast.
Going forward I will use UV rated greenhouse plastic, I've seen some that is reinforced with netting in the plastic. AND I will screw the screws into the PVC starting underneath it, through the wood crossbeam, then into the pipe. If you have some old storm windows on hand, you can make a neat cold frame with them.
In the meantime, check the video where we walk through the fail:
David Cruz
How about trying pool foam noodles that you can cut and wrap around the metal piece that support the plastic tarp and hide the screws?
Joe
Eric my wife and I enjoy all o
Eric, my wife and I enjoy all of your videos and your humor. We have been gardening for well over forty years and doing raised beds for well over thirty years. I make my beds out of rough cut Hemlock, 8" high by 4'x 12' . After expermenting many years for a suitable covering, I use ½" x 10' PVC conduit from Lowes and ½" rebar cut into 24"pieces driven 5 to a side on the outside of the bed. When you arch these across, the top will be over 36"high. I then fasten a ½" piece of conduit across the top using cable ties in a criss cross pattern. I purchased green house plastic from the Greenhouse Megastore on line. To fasten it to the PVC frame they sell snap clamps which you can cut to length usually 3". We live in up state NY and this new setup has survived many a wind storm . I have also built a 12' x 34' hoop house using the same principal. We really appreciate your time and much effort in reaching all of us interested viewers. Also, a thank you to your special videographer. Have a great day.
Eric
wow Joe, thanks for the info and kind words. I have seen some hoop house designs using rebar, neat. Hemlock is all over the woods here, the loggers usually don't harvest it because its not worth their time. interesting. thx!
Eric
Yes David, those foam pool noodles would work great. Yet another use for those things. Thanks for sharing!
Rich J
I was thinking the foam pipe Insulation. It's already slit open.