This year I am really trying to have my winter garden survive, nay thrive. The 2022 winter was looking so good. And then the arctic blast came, where we dropped a record 45 degrees overnight and with the wind chill hit -37 degrees. Our power went out for about 10 hours and we had a duck die and lost 2 guinea hens. My entire garden, gone. So this year I have convinced my husband to assist me in building a couple of season extenders for our raised beds. These are temporary with materials we already have in our barn so I can take them down and use my beds next spring.
I am covering two 8ft x 3ft beds. One is using PVC pipe while the other is using the pipe from this set I got on a prime day deal super cheap to try out. The PVC pipe isn’t being cut so I’m filling that box with plants that get tall like kale, chard, broccoli, and cauliflower. The lower hoop will be for spinach, arugula, radishes, turnips, and lettuce.
The PVC pipe can be found at your local Home Depot or Lowes.
- 5- 3/4″ pvc pipe – 10ft long
- Pipe Straps for 3/4″ pipe
- 6 mil plastic I got a 100ft roll and it was way too much.
- Zip ties for cross pipes
- Cap ends for PVC pipe
- Landscaping Stakes
- Staple Gun with Staples
Step 1:
I started out by measuring the halfway point of my raised bed. Then I put one side of the pipe strip on. Drill pilot holes first to make it easier to get through the wood.
Step 2:
Next I placed the pipe in and screwed in the second side of the pipe strip.
Step 3:
Bend the pipe over the raised bed to the other side and mark where it hits. Then do the same as the first side, drilling pilot holes then doing one side of the pipe strip then the other.
Step 4:
Repeat steps 1-3 until all your pipes are in.
Step 5:
Line up your pipes so the height is even. My raised beds are slanted downs so i had to add dirt to one side. then place your cross bar where you would like. I did one on each side of the arc. Secure with zip ties and add end caps to prevent plastic from catching.
Step 6:
Measure out your plastic over the bars. You will want excess on both sides to secure with staples.
Step 7:
Secure your siding. On the wind sideand ends, I secured with staples. The non wind side I secured with Landscape stakes in order to be able to open the bed to be harvested.
