How To Install Caterpillar Tunnels That Are Storm And Wind Proof!

[@culbinator]

You da man JMF. You're a gift to the world brother.

[@daniellemoore-weitzel786]

Putting the plastic on for our 12’ by 70’ CAT today. I had to manufacture the metal brackets using a drill press and a band saw. Used new drip tape along the spine as shown in the video , this added lots of strength and flexibility. I never received my cheat sheet so after studying video I’m going to do my best with my end knots. We live in very windy Western Nebraska so I’m hoping for the best. Spent under $2,000 for mine. Bought my hoop bender from Johnny’s (and will share with local farm friends) and plastic from Bootstrap. 12’ wide hoops can be made with 20’ 3/8 top rail from hardware store. Material for a 20’ wide hoop would be more challenging to source. Wish us luck and thanks for the resource!

[@fieldbee3211]

Yes! This video is exactly what's needed to susinctly show anyone the essential aspects of Caterpillar Tunnels. Thanks for this aid to help communicate effectively. Beautiful. 🌲😎🌲

[@TheMarketGardeners]

thanks so much for the comment 😁

[@jeshurunfarm]

Respect from Africa 🇿🇦

[@mastermis]

Hi JM, We have a cat tunnel (Farmers friend, like yours) in southern Quebec and did something extra. At each of the 4 corners, we added a 4ft piece of bent rebar. The rebar is bent in an V about 6-inches to the end. (it looks like a big Christmas candy cane) Then the remaining +-3.5ft are hammered into the ground and the V part "catches" the wind bracing bars where they connect with the 3rd arch near the ground. During very high winds this gives us a LOT more comfort. Bonne jounrnée :-)

[@jeanmartinfortierprivate]

Would love to see pics if you want to share 👊🏻

[@mastermis]

@@jeanmartinfortierprivate Hi JM. I sent you an email via Le jardinier-maraîcher.

[@oliviervanstraelen]

Merci de continuer à être dans le partage, ces vidéos sont des ressources importantes pour les personnes qui n'y connaissent rien 😉. Bon courage pour la saison qui a déjà du bien commencer.

[@TheMarketGardeners]

merci Olivier! 😁

[@carlossmith607]

Excellent info on how to use caterpillar tunnels effectively.

[@TheMarketGardeners]

Glad it was helpful Carlos! thanks for the comment, farm on! 👊

[@allthingsgrowing]

Do you have a video on how you made the frames for these caterpillar tunnels? Did you buy them? and what size is the plastic you are using? Really love the simplicity of these and are looking to expand our business.

[@jordansahs1529]

Great summary. I want something like this eventually. Great video and it answered a lot of the questions I still had about them.

[@TheMarketGardeners]

glad to hear it was useful!

[@gideonporter537]

Awesome. I wonder if a cargo-net style option is possible to withstand cyclone strength winds...or even old fisihing nets linked together and anchored down??

[@Nursewhilomena]

Always love your content. So informative. Please keep it up! Cheers JM!!

[@TheMarketGardeners]

thanks so much, we appreciate it 😊

[@paulcurtis5496]

Those anchor eyelets you used to route the rope to tie down the poly, where do you find those or are you making them?

[@RemyLorenz]

How do you deal with slugs and snails? They seem to love getting in my caterpillar tunnel. Aren't detered by landscaping fabric or traps and are absolutely devastating.

[@MultiAudrey1234]

Bonjour! Merci pour le vidéo. Je me demande combien de degrés on peut aller chercher avec ce genre de tunnel? Je suis au Québec aussi. Merci!

[@yancoubaaidara2206]

where can i purchase those materials ?

[@gauteterjesson9326]

Thanks. I dig digging deeper. Do you use the trucker’s hitch on the ends of both ropes, or in several places on the caterpillar tunnel?

[@TheMarketGardeners]

Each 'V' is a separate rope and the truckers hitch is on one end of it where you tighten it down. The other end can be any knot you like to tie it in place!

[@gauteterjesson9326]

@@TheMarketGardeners Okay. Thank you very much! That made things a lot clearer.

[@daniellituani9489]

Great video... Just wondering where to find the arch or how you to build them

[@TheMarketGardeners]

There are a number of suppliers out there but finding someone local to you is best to save on shipping. Getting them second hand from another farmer is always a possibility too!

[@justsomething4me]

Do you add additional anchors, such as rebar, or auger type ground anchors?Also, the separate lengths of rope is a lot easier to manage, than one long one. Thanks for sharing this.

[@TheMarketGardeners]

there is rebar for each hoop yes, and a simple metal bracket to attach carabiners which you can see in the video!

[@lindas8898]

We are getting our plastic to not blow off in a storm (yay!), but still have the wind shifting the plastic from east to west, and still have trouble with keeping the sides up for ventilation. Do you have these problems? We are using only 2 ropes for the full length. I'm wondering if we switch to using 1 rope for each V as you do, if that will solve these problems for us.

[@TheMarketGardeners]

Yes 1 rope for each V will make a big difference for you because it allows each one to be tightened individually making for a much tighter structure overall!

[@mrcyr5685]

I Assume STAND-ALONE Houses u probably need to pay building/property taxes while Caterpillar Tunnels u don't pay any building/property taxes, Someone correct me if I'm wrong so I know the truth.. The internet can and be known to Bend The Truth.. Thank U, God Bless You for this video as well, Very helpful -Josh Cyr (From Maine)

[@zacharydavideddy7869]

Did i miss it or is the info in the description about what kind and where you can get this type of tunnel?

[@TheMarketGardeners]

We recommend to look where you can get a tunnel locally first. There are lots of different suppliers out there! Farmers Friend, Tessier, Dubois, Bootstrap Farmer are a few names to get you started on your search 💚

[@zacharydavideddy7869]

Thank you so much i love all you guys content very informative. @@TheMarketGardeners

[@jeanfrancoisbrodeur]

How long does the plastic last ? What do you do with it once it is punctured? I'm all for growing food efficiently, however I do not want to pollute and waste plastic.

[@Superstephen1977]

great clip ..one day I will build a large cat tunnel..atm im thinking a 30 foot would be nice .. it's funny as a novice gardener to watch this scale..

[@Niklez7]

does the your book contain information how to secure caterpillar tunnels? I mean for windy locations

[@TheMarketGardeners]

You can download this free cheat sheet on How to install a caterpillar tunnel: themarketgardener.ac-page.com/Greenhouse-Plastic-Caterpillar-Tunnel !

[@edeneverywhere27]

what are the knots being used to tighten the ropes on the tunnels like that? It looked really slick

[@RedFernFarmVA]

They are called a truckers hitch.

[@edeneverywhere27]

@@RedFernFarmVA awesome thanks i'll check it out

[@TheMarketGardeners]

Yes the knot is known as a truckers hitch though there are many variations of it! Once we pull the tag end through the loop and tighten it down, we use a slip knot to secure it as it allows for the easiest way to quickly untie so that we can retighten the ropes frequently

[@edeneverywhere27]

@@TheMarketGardeners thanks for the reply! its really cool how it essentially makes it like a pully system tightening with a quick release

[@lindas8898]

I was telling my boss about this video and he commented that they often remove the bars with the tractor. I'm curious, are you using a jack to remove the bars when you move your cat tunnels? p.s. 5 weeks into my farm internship :)

[@TheMarketGardeners]

we use a t-post puller!

[@ajhay8832]

Where do you get your cat tunnels from?

[@TheMarketGardeners]

there are a number of suppliers out there for these tunnels and you should look for what makes sense based on your location and budget! Farmers Friend, Multi-Shelter Solutions, and Dubois Agrinovation are a few options that come to mind

[@rscottwilson1]

awesome

[@aprilcampagna7020]

JM, do you have a video showing the entire process (distance from last hoop to drive T-posts, how to tie plastic securely to T-posts, etc.) for securing the ends? I would much rather do this than build scissor end walls on my tunnels for much easier removal when the weather gets hot (I'm in North Carolina). I also hate the idea of removing wiggle wire and potentially ripping the plastic!

[@TheMarketGardeners]

Hi April. We cover that in the Masterclass but we don't currently have a KZbin video on that process! And yes wiggle wire and caterpillar tunnels is a recipe for ripped plastic in our experience!

[@aprilcampagna7020]

@@TheMarketGardeners thank you for responding! If we were a vegetable market farm, we’d have signed up for the masterclass in a heartbeat, but we are a flower farm. I’ll keep searching, and thank you again for taking the time to read my comment and reply.

[@IAMLove33]

🙏💜

[@НатальяКрисанова-е5х]

👍🇺🇦

[@ddgamble2199]

The visuals were great, but I could hardly hear what JM was saying over the crappy music.

[@biljanaplavsic4795]

small storm destroy all your talk

[@TheMarketGardeners]

This method of installation has allowed our tunnels to survive MANY storms over the years