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What dia pipe to make covers for my beds?

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  • What dia pipe to make covers for my beds?

    I've seen people use mdpe tubing to make mini polytunnels/net covers for their beds. I want to do the same and have found some suitable tubing on eBay, but am unsure what diameter is best?

    My beds are 4' wide and I am planning on making hoops to go across the whole bed that I can then fix netting to them, to keep the birds off my strawbs, etc.

    Thx in advance...

  • #2
    For open netting my brother used 20mm pipe with no problems,I keep meaning to make some but am not very organised
    Last edited by bearded bloke; 21-04-2014, 07:51 AM. Reason: typo
    He who smiles in the face of adversity,has already decided who to blame

    Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

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    • #3
      If you want hoops, I would go with this

      If you are using tennis balls or similar for an angled corner then These are very good.
      sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
      --------------------------------------------------------------------
      Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
      -------------------------------------------------------------------
      Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
      -----------------------------------------------------------
      KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

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      • #4
        68lbs have a look at this site it gives details of hoop to bed sizes plus a calculator down at the bottom of the page to work out how much fabric :-

        Buiilding frames for insect netting and row covers
        Location....East Midlands.

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        • #5
          I have used 20mm electrical plastic conduit pipe. Its the pipe used for running wires through. With this type of pipe there are many different types of fixings, connectors etc that are available and its fairly cheap. I made a frame using the pipe and connectors and then attached pond netting to the sides and top using cable ties. The netting at the bottom which sits on top of the raised bed is secured using them brass hooks you can buy that have a screw thread on them.

          When i want to gain access to the bed i just unhook the side netting and it folds.over the top.

          I will post some pictures shortly. I have found this is ideal for keeping birds, butterflies out.

          The strawberry bed has a similar set up but does not have a top netting. This allows the bees to do their job of pollinating. I was them going to cover it over when the strawberries formed to stop the birds eating them. But i have found the birds dont like strawberries around our way
          Last edited by chefgage; 21-04-2014, 08:32 AM.
          All my projects including my brewing adventures!

          www.make-your-own.info

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          • #6
            Great find Bren
            He who smiles in the face of adversity,has already decided who to blame

            Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity

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            • #7
              As per my previous post this is what i have done. Just noticed......please excuse the weeds (as he goes outside with the trowel)
              Attached Files
              Last edited by chefgage; 21-04-2014, 10:06 AM.
              All my projects including my brewing adventures!

              www.make-your-own.info

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              • #8
                Like so many others I use overflow pipe and fittings. I have made two 4mtrs x 2mtrs x1mtr total cost excluding netting £19

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by Bigmallly View Post
                  If you want hoops, I would go with this
                  Yep, that's what I was looking at. Tho I found some in black which should be a little better visually.

                  Originally posted by Bren In Pots View Post
                  Ooo, that's great... Will have a good read of that tonight. Thanks

                  Originally posted by chefgage View Post
                  I have used 20mm electrical plastic conduit pipe.
                  That looks really neat in your pic. Is it not the sort of conduit that's quite brittle though? I'd imagine one week of sub zero temperature and the plastic would just crack?

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                  • #10
                    When I had the lottie, I made my cages with the Screwficks conduit, bent at right angles with a cane in between. The plus was I could grow tall stuff at the edges, the minus was they had to be turned upside down in winter so the weight of the snow didn't buckle them:

                    Attached Files
                    sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
                    --------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
                    -------------------------------------------------------------------
                    Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
                    -----------------------------------------------------------
                    KOYS - King Of Yellow Stickers..............

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      That looks really neat in your pic. Is it not the sort of conduit that's quite brittle though? I'd imagine one week of sub zero temperature and the plastic would just crack?[/QUOTE]

                      There should not be anymore problems using this type of pipe than any other. It has been out for a couple of winters now with no problems and as its only a couple of quid for 2M lengths ( you can get longer lengths) if it does break its cheap to replace.
                      All my projects including my brewing adventures!

                      www.make-your-own.info

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                      • #12
                        Originally posted by 68lbs View Post
                        I found some in black which should be a little better visually.
                        I think?? that the Black is external, rather than under-ground (i.e. the Blue) and as such will have better UV resistance - thus better all round

                        Here's how I do it:

                        Brassica Netting – against Cabbage White Butterfly | K's Garden
                        K's Garden blog the story of the creation of our garden

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