The Power of Poly: How Low Tunnels Shine Bright In Your Garden

[@rexlandings7708]

WOW Curtis! You have gotten SOOOO much better at making, editing and narrating your videos from when I first subscribed to your on-line course a couple of years ago. This was a FANTASTIC, concise, informative video! Great job!

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Thanks Rex. I've had a lot of practice by just doing it. Same as farming.

[@asdfjkl50499]

Perfect timing for this, supposed to hit 29F here tonight. Thanks.

[@martyhandley4456]

Don't know if u had heard this before, but u can build tighter radius by tape one end, fill with dry sand before u go to bend, same type of jig and move slower during the bend and support the backside of the bend after initial bending

[@taze27]

Thank you so much! This will get me going on my 1st low tunnel build!

[@thefaeryman]

my neighbor uses the agribond fabric on the hoops to insulate the runs and also in the high tunnel to extend the seasons thanks

[@MrAndyaustralia]

I have been measuring a 5-6F temperature difference in the mornings inside my new low tunnel. I have seen the use of garden fabric or sheets over greens under the poly when the freeze starts to kick in. Have u tried this and is it needed? Just wondering if an old sheet or one of Jonnys super spinach blankets is necessary? Thanks for a great video ... it's easily the best I have seen on KZbin on these.

[@marshwetland3808]

That's awesome, your conduit bender, around 4 minutes. I had come up with exactly that idea instead of $100 US plus shipping from the other side of the continent, where Johnny's is. Okay, now I"ll build the damn thing - you've proven it works!

[@nancyfahey7518]

That was an excellent video. There should be no questions after that demo. That calls for a donation.

[@jasonbranch6616]

Is there a difference between the greenhouse poly you reference and plain old rolled plastic sheeting

[@zombieseedz3890]

Thanks Curtis. Would you say that they would be good for peppers, meaning high enough? I want to isolate my peppers for seed production. I was thinking of buying TunnelFlex - Retractable Low Tunnel System - 100' Kit | BioPlus but if I can use my excess plastic from my greenhouse and use the metal hoops that I have in excess I would do that instead of spending more money that I don't necessarily have. Especially, I make no money in the summer because I produce seeds. Thanks!

[@tumba3182]

those greens are looking deeeeelicious.

[@cowboyyoga]

Hi ))) Nine minutes into the video, I hit the subscribed button and the dark bell. It is obvious that you are comfortable in sharing details. Writers are usually not only comfortable, but very generous in their descriptions. Your video will be very helpful, as I move forward to build my first loop green house. Thank you for all your time. I tried to sign up for your news letter, but that page was not working

[@HealthSupercharger]

Curtis and fellow farmers here how about a more semi permanent over winter low tunnel in a mild 8b climate with no more than 4 inches of snow load but lots of rains and average winter temperature is -5 to 2C at night and 0 to + 5C during day. I believe these modifications would be needed for extra warmth and strength. 1. Hoops every 3ft not 7 to 9 like Curtis showed us. 2. instead of bags to hold down the cover I would dig in the plastic 6 inches deep into the soil and 1 foot out also. 3. instead of 10ft long pipes half inch thick I would use 14ft pipes 3/4 inch thick so that I would have 4.5ft high structure capable of squatting inside and working inside on the center row due to the rains and cold conditions I think it is important to be able to work inside your low tunnel. 4.) the plastic would have to be much tighter and bigger anchor stakes in the ground. The purpose would be to grow into late fall, and start in early spring, and over winter fall crops for easy harvesting all winter long. What do you think?

[@Stevelemontrudy]

I really appreciate when you talk about the things you did when you were just starting out. Where did you start your seeds when you were just beginning? Thanks.

[@chrisgilbert-urbanfarming8506]

awesome. i am already on my way to doing this as i can cover 3100 sq. ft. (same space as a 30×110 hoop house) for like 400-500 bucks. A hell of a lot cheaper than dumping 7000 and a lot of labor!

[@TJ-tn8nv]

Chris, that's amazing. $400-500 is awesome!

[@ChicagoCFH]

Just about to buy your book, excited to read it in the off season here as winter hits.

[@ChicagoCFH]

Oh man, you only take paypal? chase quickpay by any chance? dang

[@ChicagoCFH]

Ok, lol I think I got it to take visa. J Anderson...

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+ILBackyardFarm you can use PayPal with any major credit card.

[@ChicagoCFH]

Urban Farmer Curtis Stone I got it figured out, thanks buddy!

[@gstvmly6629]

Here in France our version of an electrical conduit is made of pvc, and is very (too?) flexible and cheap, that is what I am using right now, if seeking to get a metal conduit it will cost an arm

[@MickeySmithVerified]

Curtis, can you maybe do a video on your landscape fabric? Do you make your own holes, or buy them that way? Do you cut them for walkways, etc? Side note: Your vids have been fantastic esp lately for us. Thank you Thank you Thank you. If you already have a vid on this, just let me know.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+Mickey Smith I've done at least two already. Just use the search.

[@MickeySmithVerified]

Thanks man. Got it

[@JacobLikesMusic]

Would you advice against using rebars instead of conduits? I would put duct tape or a garden hose on them to protect the plastic. It would be cheaper.

[@themonkeydrunken]

Nice Kerbal Space Program music for the opener :)

[@GuitarUniverse2013]

What is meant by Two or 3 feet off the ground? Do you mean the height from the ground to the center of the top curve or do you mean that the sides are two or 3 feet off the ground?

[@dionnedettmer]

Very informative video! I appreciate all the specifics on materials and techniques. Question: Do you see any issues with growing microgreens under poly low tunnels in a mild climate (California) during the shoulder season? Thank you!

[@savingmayberry387]

did he push the conduit into the ground or was there rebar in the ground , i cant tell ? Thanks in advance internet person.

[@desimercenary]

awesome. I've been waiting for this one a long time. thanks.

[@garethgc1141]

I can really relate to establishing non permanent structures on rental property

[@bob8ize]

how many years do you get out of your greenhouse poly? anything in particular i should be looking for when looking for the sheeting?

[@neotericfarms1326]

So for early season thinking. These probably won't do the trick to get me through early frosts yeah?

[@kristopherkersbergen1378]

Did you try it for early spring? We still have plenty of cold nights her, but some daytime temps in the mid 50's*F . I think I'll try this method for early greens, arugula,...etc.

[@Tito_vibes]

so poly low tunnels won't be good for the rain tho right? in the pacific northwest we're wet not that cold...so would caterpillar tunnels be good for fall/winter spinach, kale, lettuce, etc?

[@pierre-oliviercomeau5277]

Hey, isn't the music from Kerbal Farming Program?

[@crumb9cheese]

This is really cool.

[@ideiasradicais]

What sort of wind speed have you seen this set up hold? Have they ever failed and blown away?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Good question. We don't get winds like they do in the prairies or open areas. I don't know the wind speeds.

[@mandiegarrett1706]

Yep...glad it works for you but won't last the high wind where I am. Thanks for the video.

[@gangofgreenhorns2672]

@@mandiegarrett1706 kzbin.info/www/bejne/f3WVi5yQi9F_eKs this video is claiming 60 mph winds are handled by it.

[@lucbeast]

Do you gain the same insulation value from a poly low tunnel as you would from an unheated poly high tunnel?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Good question. I think a little bit less because there is less air inside and thus, the fluctuations in temperature might be a bit more extreme.

[@highergroundtk]

Curtis, The handmade pipe bender you show in this video, can it be used for the greenhouses you have in your other videos, (I amconsidering the pipe bender tool from johnny seeds, but I live in japan and want to avoid high shipping costs) Videos are Amazing and inspiring stuff by the way, when are you coming to Japan, the land of small intensive farming needs a reboot?(lol)

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Not the same one, no. You'd have to make it differently.

[@bishopsurbanfarm526]

Curtis, how did you come up with the angle on the conduit bender? I have 30" beds with 10" walkway over two beds is 70" giving a 35" radius. Do I draw out the half circle and just use a portion of the top? If so how much do you use or is it something you have to fiddle around with? Cheers!!!

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Just free hand.

[@bishopsurbanfarm526]

Thanks Curtis, I started bending before I got this. It's definitely not as complicated as I thought. Super simple and works great. Amazing content as always, keep crushing it & sharing!!!

[@HealthSupercharger]

But are the hoop spacing not way too much even for heavy rain?? Looks like you spaced them about 8 to 10 ft apart. I was thinking for Vancouver heavy rains and 2 inches of snow that 4 or 5 ft would be better spacing what do you think??

[@HealthSupercharger]

I would use a stake in the ground, tie a string to it, and 35 inches away tie a pencil to it. Then put a thick sheet of plywood down below and drawn an arc on the plywood. then screw chunks of wood like Curtis did along the arc. All you need is half the half circle. And screw a wood chunk at beginning or a larger pipe that would hold your conduit. Lukas

[@marshwetland3808]

@@HealthSupercharger It's the rope "ridgepole" that makes his spacing possible.

[@summermucha5207]

Curtis, how far from your first hoop are you pounding in the ridge beam rope with the rebar? Also, how high is this tunnel in the center? Thanks 🙏 😊💖 in advance! Love 💕 your videos!

[@cornerhillfarm4091]

I really liked this video! Thanks

[@Simeonx1]

Not related to this video, but how many watts or amps is your heater in your home greenhouse. An Air conditioning heat pump would have been 3.5 more energy efficient if you wanted to use electricity. example for 2.1kws you would 8.0kW of heating out. The set up cost would be just over $2,000 compared to $300 for Electric heater?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

It's on a 30 amp breaker, so I think it's 25. It cost around $300.

[@thomasrobson6370]

I'm thinking about lp gas heaters (I've got three tanks and heater heads), no need for dealing with electricity.

[@skylinegt6]

Any tips on how to get the EMT into the ground when it's nearly solid clay underneath my raised bed?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Buy a 1/2 inch auger bit for your drill.

[@jodrodgar7194]

Hi Curtis, trying to source the hoops in the UK. What is the material that the conduit is made out of please? Thanks

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Galvanized steel.

[@yerouttaheah]

It's electrical conduit. You may have to go to an electric supply store.

[@Jeffykins71]

Do you have a problem with the drip freezing?

[@EmadiAcresFarm]

how have the row bags held up? any degradation yet?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

None. They're just as good when I bought them.

[@RhodeToPrepping]

Do you worry about your drip line freezing?

[@jlowry7723]

Is it polycarbonate or polypropylene?

[@yourdancechannell]

How come you use conduit instead of PVC? Ive used these tunnels for my brassica beds but instead of poly I use tulle fabric. I do this to keep out the white cabbage moths from laying their eggs on the leaves. I want to stop using tulle because it doesn't hold up well and falls apart eventually. Can this poly fabric be used throughout the whole growing season for kale and collards? I initially used tulle because i wasn't sure if their would be a strong photosynthesis with the poly. I heard someone say something about winds. I use rebar in the ground and then slip the pipe onto the rebar to keep the pipe stable. I have pictures of my setups on my instagram. Its called "beehive swamp". I would love some feedback on what I can change because I'm having trouble getting kale on the market before the cabbage moths come to destroy them. I have tons of tobacco netting. Maybe this will work?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

I don't like PVC, it breaks. Check out my video on Insect Netting and some of your questions will be answered there. Good luck.

[@thomasrobson6370]

I see a lot of youtube how to videos using PVC with no mention of longevity; the only thing I've found negative about PVC is on Johnnyseed, where using PVC will void their greenhouse warranty because of the possibility of the reaction between the two.

[@annrafa1409]

Will this work on raised beds or should you put straw pales around the bed in winter.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

I don't see why not. Try it.

[@Kauffsalot]

Where did you get your poly?

[@paulabeattie8565]

Where do you buy your greenhouse poly?

[@eightdragonkings]

I too, am trying to find a reasonable source on the Canadian parries. Dubois only sells the perforated stuff.

[@anthonyrstrawbridge]

I want red, white and blue ones.

[@sebastiancannavo8786]

Great video. Very informative.

[@melaniemiles9220]

I can't find those spring clamps anywhere locally, I was wondering where you got yours?

[@mikebell3940]

melanie miles Home Depot lowes or harbor freight all carry them. Good luck

[@keithcooper2012]

Curtis can regular clear 6 mil poly from the hardware store be used?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+Keith Cooper no. Use greenhouse poly only.

[@thomasrobson6370]

Wouldn't 6mil be 6mil regardless? or do you think the greenhouse "white" plastic is better then the transparent/clear plastic you get at the hardware store?

[@ChicagoCFH]

very informative video! thanks man

[@bandbfarmskuna]

Can I not use the spring clamps year round??? HA!!

[@offgridcurtisstone]

+bornintherut it depends.

[@farhananyc1963]

where can i buy the hoops?

[@funwithflags7506]

U can use pvc pipes

[@engalicorn]

is this music from Kerbal Space Program!?

[@Romazetti]

4:59 i think you mean 0,6mm, not 6mm

[@marshwetland3808]

No, he said 6 mil. It's a different unit. He didn't say mm. One mil is1/1000 of an inch or about about 25 microns.

[@lacollitatendra9331]

Curtis, would you consider this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i561lGSNe69mp9E to be overkill in your context? 80-20 rule?