EMT Conduit Hoop House (Reach-In Season Cover)
A lightweight, removable 4 ft low tunnel / reach-in season cover made from electrical conduit that turns any raised bed into a mini greenhouse for season extension.
Estimated time
2 – 3 hours
Lifespan
5–8 years (plastic lasts 3–5 seasons)
Soil needed
None — covers an existing bed
Weight empty
25–35 lbs
Weight full
Adds only plastic weight; secure well against wind
Best for
Overwintering greens, starting warm-season crops 3–4 weeks early
Placement
Build it over an existing raised bed. Face the ends east and west, or leave one end open for ventilation. This is a 4 ft low tunnel you reach into, not a greenhouse you stand in.
Parts to Buy
| Part | Quantity | What You Use Them For |
|---|---|---|
| 3/4-inch EMT conduit, 10 ft lengths | 6 | Cut and bent into hoops |
| 3/4-inch EMT conduit, 10 ft or 12 ft length | 1 | Ridge pole running the length of the tunnel |
| EMT conduit connectors / couplers | 6 | Join the two halves of each hoop |
| 1/2-inch rebar, 2 ft lengths | 12 | Stakes that hoops slide over |
| 6-mil UV-rated greenhouse plastic, 14 ft × 20 ft | 1 | Covering (not drop cloth or painter's plastic) |
| UV-resistant zip ties or conduit clamps | 36 | Attach ridge pole, plastic to hoops, and side clips |
| Rebar caps or duct tape | 12 | Cover exposed rebar tops for safety |
| Spray galvanizing or rust-preventive paint | 1 can | Touch fresh cut EMT ends so they don't rust |
| Sandbags, scrap boards, or extra soil | As needed | Anchor side flaps against wind |
- ·Optional: spring-wire lock channel and wiggle wire for tighter plastic hold
- ·Optional: shade cloth for summer use
- ·Optional: rollup-side clips or bungees for quick daily venting
Steps
- 1Cut each 10 ft conduit into two 5 ft pieces. Join them with a coupler to make a 10 ft hoop blank.
- 2Bend each joined conduit into a half-circle hoop. A conduit bender or a simple wooden jig keeps them uniform.
- 3Drive a 2 ft rebar stake halfway into the ground on each side of the bed, spaced every 3 ft along the length. That's 6 hoops on a 12 ft bed.
- 4Cap or tape each rebar top before sliding hoops on — bare rebar can impale a hand.
- 5Slide one hoop onto each pair of rebar stakes.
- 6Run the extra 10–12 ft conduit as a ridge pole along the top of the hoops and secure with zip ties for extra rigidity.
- 7Spray or brush galvanizing paint on any fresh cut EMT ends so they don't rust.
- 8Drape the UV-rated greenhouse plastic over the hoops. Leave at least 1 ft of overhang on each end and side. Do not use drop cloth or painter's plastic.
- 9Clamp or zip-tie the plastic to each hoop every 18 inches.
- 10Bury the side flaps with soil, sandbags, or boards. This wind anchor is the whole structure — skip it and the tunnel flies.
- 11Open one end, roll up a side, or clip the plastic up on every warm day. A sealed hoop + sun cooks plants.
- 12Knock off heavy snow after storms — 3/4-inch hoops flatten under a thick load.
Tools needed
- ·Conduit bender or a sturdy jig for consistent hoop shape
- ·Hacksaw or pipe cutter
- ·Sledgehammer or rebar driver
- ·Scissors or utility knife
- ·Tape measure
- ·Work gloves
- ·Safety glasses
Common mistakes to avoid
- ·Using drop cloth or painter's plastic instead of UV greenhouse plastic — it tears and degrades in weeks
- ·Not anchoring the base — hoop houses become sails
- ·Sealing both ends on sunny days and cooking the plants
- ·Skipping rebar caps or tape — sliding hoops onto bare rebar can impale a hand
- ·Leaving cut EMT ends bare — they rust and weaken the hoops
- ·Letting heavy snow pile up — 3/4-inch hoops flatten under load
Maintenance tips
Roll up the sides on warm days. Replace the plastic when it becomes cloudy or brittle. Knock off heavy snow after storms so the 3/4-inch hoops don't flatten. Store hoops indoors in summer if possible.
Community builds
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