Blue water pipe cloche hoops

[kathyd]

Hi

Before I start chopping my pipe up, please could someone recommend what length the bits should be to go over a brassica bed? (Why is it that seed packets rarely tell you how tall your veggies will grow??)

And how long should the canes be to stick through the ends?

I'm sure I should be able to work all this out for myself, but I'd rather hear from someone who's done it before so I don't end up with something 6" too short...

Thx

[Bigmallly]

I'm no expert but would imagine 4 foot would be high enough to cope with most brassicas. If you put strong canes in the ground first, you can always slide the hoops up & down to suit. Just allow a little extra netting in case you do.

[leonmc0708]

where di you get the pipe from can I ask ?

After some myself.

[Bren In Pots]

where di you get the pipe from can I ask ?

After some myself.

Most people buy it from Screwfix have a look at this thread :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ipe_63927.html

[Bigmallly]

Most people buy it from Screwfix have a look at this thread :-

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...ipe_63927.html

Or

MDPE Blue Pipe 25mm x 50m | Screwfix.com

[Bigmallly]

I've used this in the past mainly for square cages as opposed to hoops, but can be used for hoops as well.

Tower Conduit Heavy Gauge 20mm x 3m White (60m) Pack of 20 | Screwfix.com

[jackie j]

Depends what you are going to grow under it, my OH cut mine too short but I still manage to use it, the stick doesn't need to be too long, just enough to push up the pipe and some to go in the ground, I usually just break up old bamboo canes. I bough mine at Mole Valley Farmers

[Creemteez]

I would also suggest adding a "cross beam" for stability. I usually just lay a long bamboo cane on top of the hoops lengthwise and tie each one to it at it's peak with garden twine. It stops the hoops from leaning about - especially when you try to pull your netting etc tight.

[MarkHackwell]

This is exactly what ive been doing over the past few weeks now Instead of using canes ive been using aluminium tubing to put into the ground and put the hoops on too because I had a cage which failed but if i need too use canes I will make them soo there 12 inches soo 6 inches in the ground and 6 above ground .

[MarkHackwell]

I have made mine about 3ft high because ive found Brussel sprouts tend too be one of highest brassicas at about 2 1/2ft high You have too remember that if the hoop is too be 3ft high you need too remember too get too that high you need too include the sides too and also put some in the ground too keep it stable I will try and see if I can take a pic of mine sometime to show how I did it Good Luck

[Florence Fennel]

I didn't net mine last year and although they were full of white fly they were healthy and the sprouts were delicious. I just had to wear a mask when I harvested! Doing it again this year, but planting some coriander and borage around and about the bed to see if I can deter the pesky flies.

[Florence Fennel]

BTW Kathy, the sprouts grew to at least three and a half feet!

[MarkHackwell]

I didn't net mine last year and although they were full of white fly they were healthy and the sprouts were delicious. I just had to wear a mask when I harvested! Doing it again this year, but planting some coriander and borage around and about the bed to see if I can deter the pesky flies.

I would love too be able to not net mine but unfortunately we get too many cabbage white butterflies and as I dont get a chance too go onto the allotment everyday in the summer I would end up with just a stalk left

[mothhawk]

If you put the pipe on canes pushed into the ground, it's quite fiddly to get under the net to weed or harvest.

For something a little more moveable using blue pipe, this is quite a good DIY video

[rustylady]

Well done Mothhawk, I remembered seeing that video but couldn't find it.