Beginner
3 ft wide × 12 ft long × 2.5 ft tall
1 – 2 hours
$40 – $90
Quonset Hoop Tunnel
A low tunnel of half-circle hoops covered with greenhouse plastic, giving row crops a few extra weeks on each end of the season.
Estimated cost
$40 – $90
Estimated time
1 – 2 hours
Lifespan
3–5 years
Soil needed
None — covers existing bed
Weight empty
15–30 lbs
Weight full
25–45 lbs with plastic
Best for
Extending the season for salad greens, carrots, and spinach
Placement
Build it directly over a prepared bed. Orient lengthwise east-west for even light.
Boards to Buy
| Boards to Buy | Quantity | What You Use Them For |
|---|---|---|
| 1/2 inch EMT conduit or PVC, 10 ft | 4 | Hoops |
| Greenhouse plastic, 10 ft × 15 ft | 1 | Cover |
| Conduit stakes or rebar, 2 ft | 8 | Anchor hoops |
| Clamp clips or snap clamps | 10–15 | Hold plastic |
- ·Zip ties
- ·Optional: thermometer inside
Steps
- 1Cut each 10-foot conduit or PVC pipe in half.
- 2Drive a 2-foot stake at each end of every hoop location.
- 3Bend each piece into a hoop and slide both ends over the stakes.
- 4Space hoops 3–4 feet apart along the bed.
- 5Drape plastic over the hoops.
- 6Clip plastic tightly along the hoops and bury the long edges with soil.
- 7Open one or both ends on sunny days to vent heat.
Tools needed
- ·PVC cutter or hacksaw
- ·Tape measure
- ·Rubber mallet
Common mistakes to avoid
- ·Plastic touching plants — frost burns leaves
- ·No vents — overheating on sunny days
- ·Hoops too flimsy — collapse under snow
- ·Not anchoring the ends
Maintenance tips
Open ends on warm days. Brush off heavy snow. Replace plastic when torn or cloudy.
Community builds
See how other gardeners built their quonset hoop tunnel — and share up to 3 photos of yours.
Sign in to view photos other gardeners have shared.
Sign in to share photos of your build.
My Quonset Hoop Tunnel notes
Loading…