Low Tunnel Construction
Hello! A short while ago, I shared a video here about the multiple uses of low tunnels. Overtime, we have employed them not only in the spring to protect annuals from frosts, but also in the fall and winter for a variety of purposes. Be sure to check out that video here.
For those of you interested in constructing some low tunnels, here are video instructions. You might consider building some of these in the fall to protect new perennial plantings in cold climates, or to serve as shelter for bulbs that you’d like to bloom a little earlier than field crops. If you are using these for spring bulb beds, know that you will need to be available to vent your spaces regularly in the spring to avoid overheating of cold-loving plants. Tulips that are grown too hot can bolt and bloom on very short stems. If you soil is well draining, you will also need to provide water to your bulbs at planting and especially again in the spring when they are in their growing phase.
Low Tunnel Supplies:
Johhny’s Selected Seeds 4ft hoop bender
10ft x 1/2 inch electrical conduit (as many pieces as you need for ribs to be spaced about every 4ft down the length of your bed)
2 x 3ft t-posts
2 x 4-inch U-bolts
1 piece of 4ft electric fence post stake cut in half (see next shopping link for style)
4ft electric fence post stakes
10ft wide low tunnel plastic. (Cut length to suit beds. Make sure you have about 5ft extra on each end for securing the plastic to your t-posts.)