7 www.SmallFarmCanada.ca welded them together using 6013 Lincoln rods. Cross members were needed between the hoops for stability. I attached them on an angle from the top of one hoop to middle on the second and then the bottom of the third hoop. I welded washers on the hoops and cross members for attachment points which were then married up with 5/16” bolts. The first three hoops are about five feet apart, the cross members are a 20 foot piece cut in half, so 10 feet long. The other non-supported hoops are about 10 feet apart. COVERING MATERIAL Again, the Boss jumped in to research plastic including what to get and where to buy it. She was able to track down MIDLAND COVERS who supplies UV protected plastic for greenhouses. Not cheap, but this would allow usage of the same plastic for more than one season as opposed to an unprotected vapor barrier type plastic which would disintegrate within the season. The hoops were used, although not finished but finished enough to be garden ready and they proved their worth. After the extended season the hoops were removed and totally repainted and put back up. In March the plastic will go back up, held in place with clamps around the hoops and planks along the bottom with the ends simply folded at each end, weighted with concrete blocks. This keeps the plastic in place and secure. The Boss was content (for now) that this should satisfy her gardening ambitions as in year one the hoops provided a good return. Here’s to looking forward! Of course, as we go, we will have to tweak the build because that’s what small farming is all about to us – a beautiful experiment. If you want it longer, make more hoops. The extra is cut off and added as the bottom brace. TIP: WE USE FOUR 6” CLAMPS PER HOOP TO ATTACH THE PLASTIC. Your Small Farm & Homesteading Store www.BerryHill.ca I 1-800-668-0372 Canadian Family Owned Since 1946 TWO-WHEEL TRACTORS One tractor to power over 75 attachments. Attachments sold separately. Browse & build your perfect combination today.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTQyMDk=