Cattle Panel Hoophouse

Legit how big do you want it to be?

Love the quote Legit. Especially since we are very rural and far away from stores etc. Jeanette

Eweed,
I am thinking at least 20 feet, maybe 30 feet long. Everything you do turns out to be too small eventually you know!!

Jnette,
I am rural too, but not so far I can't go into town often, (except for work) it's just that I've found the more I stay away from town the more money stays in my pocket!! And BTW, I grew up on a farm, and that was kind of the motto!! Legit

LOL, you got that right. Regarding the length of the hh, don't forget, you can always add to it very easily.

Jeanette

Hi all,

We got the cattle panels up yesterday. Went out this morning and found that they seem to be sagging a bit on one half of one side. Anyway to get them to have more tension so there isn't any sagging?
I'm heading into town now to get more screws for the ends. Heard that snow showers should be here by Friday so I want to have the film up before that hits!

MollyD

Molly, I can't help with the question about sagging, but just wanted to say congrats on getting the posts in and the panels up. See, I knew you could do it in time!
Sheri

Molly, didn't you make them 8 feet apart at the bottom? We used 8 ft ropes the full length from one side to the next all the way thru on the bottom so they would be the same. Just used "S" hooks. We also used 1" x 6" boards running along each side on the bottoms and stapled the wire to them. I will see if I can find a picture.

Jeanette

Here is the only one I can find without going thru all of my floppies. Down in the righthand corner you can see a portion of the 1x6. Ignore the overlap on the cattle panel. That was one we added on and I didn't want to use the full width of it. The 1x6 s were either 8 or 10 feet long.

Jeanette

We used 1x2 stakes and rebar to hold the 1x6s in place.

Jeanette

Jnettte,
How did you attach the cattle panel wire to the 1X6?? Legit

We drilled holes thru the boards and used small pieces of baling wire around the wire of the panels. Very easy. Especially if you have 2 people.

How do you like my tomatoes planted in the strawbales? Those tomatoes were so heavy I had to tie them to the top of the cattle panel with hemp to keep them off the ground and away from the slugs.

I left the plastic on until almost the end of June and those were the most flavorful and the most tomatoes I have ever had.

Jeanette

Not to change the subject, but you planted them "IN" the bales?? Legit

Yes. "IN" the bales. In another area I used a half a cattle panel as a trellis and grew cucumbers on it. Planted "IN" the bales.

Jeanette

Hi Jeanette,

I've been outside working and not getting online. Our GH has a 2 ft foundation because I'll be using it through the winter. I made it 8 ft wide and 17 ft long. It only sagged on one corner of the last panel (there are 4 of them). Anyway I found a way to fix that by bracing it while I was building the end walls. It's really rigid now.
Tomorrow I'll finish studding out the foundation walls. These will be covered with barnboards on the outside. Then if there is enough daylight left we'll put the film on. Fingers crossed on that cause if there isn't enough daylight to do the whole thing we won't start because we're expecting some nasty weather Thursday morning at the latest. That means we'd be delayed till at least Saturday.
Weather is such a frustrating thing!
I want to get this weather tight by this time next week. Then I can work at a slower pace on the inside.

MollyD

Hi Molly,
Sounds like quite a project you have going. Yes, the weather is a bugger. We had thick ice on the windshield yesterday morning and all of the brugs were frostbitten and hanging today. So, I am taking them in for the winter. Otherwise I might end up with mush.

I have my fingers crossed for you too. Hope it works out, too bad you couldn't have gotten started sooner. Oh well, it will be ok. Let us know how it goes.

Jeanette

Hi Jeanette,

Thanks for the good wishes. Woke this morning to lightning, strong winds. We scrambled to get all our tools put away before rain hit. It was forecast for tomorrow morning so of course it's here today :-~
I'll concentrate today on leveling the soil and building it up where it's too low. I want to get the sand moved in too before it rains (that stuff gets so heavy when it's wet!). Landscape fabric and patio blocks are going over that.
Waiting for my solar pool cover to arrive. That's going on the inside for insulation.

MollyD

Wow Molly, hope you are taking pictures each step of the way. I know it is hard to take them when you are batteling the elements but it sure would be fun for you to look at later.

Am anxious to see this creation. LOL. It is the same size as mine. I used 4 panels also. Am thinking of using it to store the boat in this winter. However, I have the raised bed in one end so unless I take it apart I may not have room for the boat.

Hi Jeanette,

Here is today's photo as of noon. It started to rain and we had to stop working. I was putting in the sand and leveling. Paul was putting in the siding.

I'm almost grateful for the rain as it gives me a reason to do other things (like housework!)

MollyD

Molly, that really looks nice. Is it going to get enough sun with being so close to the trees? I love the height you have on it. I see what you mean by the sag. Maybe when you fasten your panels to that side you can draw it up? I don't see why it will make any difference other than you will know it is there.

I love it!! Good work! Jeanette

Thanks Jeanette,

Trees shouldn't be a problem as that is the north side. Picture is taken from south side.

Having a problem with getting my solar cover. I placed the order on the 4th and as of today it still hadn't shipped. Paid via Paypal so that wasn't as issue. This morning I emailed cancelling the order and will have to search for another source. Company was America's Best Pool Supply. Anyone know of another good and "cheap" source?
Will need it soon as we're expecting snow here today.

MollyD

Well that's the pitts. Maybe they think you won't need it until next spring? winter? Have you called them?

Jeanette

Well I just heard from that America's Best Pool Supply place and I'll tell you don't ever order anything from them! I placed the order on October 4th and checked the status yesterday. It had not shipped. Emailed them and they said that it was the manufacturers responsibility to ship! As if I had paid the manufacturer! Anyway today I told them to cancel it since I needed it right away and they just emailed me saying they charged 10% on cancellations!!!
To me they're crooks since it's not like they're out anything by my cancellation! A place to avoid.

MollyD

Just heard I'm getting it all back! They said the manufacturer was out of the material. If true they should still let customers know and offer them options.
Won't deal with them again.

MollyD

Tell me how you are going to use the pool cover. Thanks, Legit

Legit
it's for insulating my GH. Some folks use them on the outside. I'm putting mine on the inside. This is a clear pool cover, not the blue or aluminum ones.
I just got an offer from the company of a larger one at the same price I paid for the other. Will keep everyone updated on this.

Jeanette,
I emailed them. I prefer email to phone calls cause a) I save money and b) I have record of who said what.

MollyD

You are right Molly. I just haven't figured out how to show my emails on the internet like I can on email. i.e. I cannot see emails sent. Only when answered.

You can always save a copy as a rich text file on your computer

Where do I find that Jazz?

Hello to all, I'm so so inspired Thanks for the boost!

Donna

Good for you Donna, hope to hear you are growing great things!! Jeanette

Hi all,

Fell behind in my postings. Weather here has been on the nastier side so the work on GH has slowed down a bit. Paul thought I paid too much for the door and window so they went back. I know that after he sees the prices out there they'll be back .
Here's picture of the progress so far. My solar cover arrived an hour ago. Have to bring that in and check it out. I'm hoping to get my film up by Wednesday as there seems to be a break in the weather the early part of the week.

MollyD

Molly that looks so cool. Especially since it is so close to your house. I'll bet you are really excited about it. I can't wait to see the cover on it.

I doubt if your gas is as high as ours is here in Washington State, but if it were you would spend the difference in prices for the windows and doors just in gas. LOL, except that it "ain't" funny.

Yup, we are finally down to $2.75 per gallon. Pretty said huh? Guess we picked the wrong lever. Whoops. Slap.

Ouch! I was actually pouting because we are back up to $2.13! We actually saw around $1.70 for a couple of weeks.

Shouldda filled a 55 gallon drum! I have 2 cans, 5 gal.each, that I filled when it was $3.15. I plan to get a funnel and pour them in my gas tank and refill cheaper, esp. since gas doesn't store well without additives. It was $2.08 here Friday and my sis said she saw it for $1.79 in Orlando on Friday.

The lowest gas we've seen here was $2.49 this weekend. It's been very slow to drop from our high of $3.15 . Amazing how fast it was to climb though! I'm spending today hauling in the rest of the pavers for the GH. They're up by the barn which is a good distance away when you're hauling heavy stuff so I'm going to put them in the truck and then drive them down to the GH. Lots of exercise for me today . Paul has to work today so he's not around to help out . I want this GH so badly I can almost taste it

MollyD

Well the pavers turned out to be broken so I went and bought gravel. Spent yesterday hauling 1/4 yard of gravel. I'll need another half a yard to finish the floor.
Today I spent most of the day wiring the GH so I now have one working outlet. I'll add more later. I also began caulking but the almost constant rain is making this a difficult job.
Paul found me a 55 gal plastic drum for thermal mass water. I picked up black spray paint for it (it's blue right now). Hopefully we can get a few more of these.
It's beginning to look very much like a GH. Did I mention the film is now up too? I love sitting in there with my music playing. It's my own private space and best of all no phone to bother me . A little more work and the daylilys will begin to move in.

MollyD

Molly,, you know I thought the same thing when I went out to my temporary hot/greenhouse today... May need to run my peaceful music out there... and,,, need to run my electic cord out quickly,, suppose to be cold here by Monday,,,,Elaine

You guys are just finding out what I did years ago. I had my radio for the NBA playoff games, the coffee pot, and I did have my phone. But, most of all I loved the sound of the rain on the roof.

Molly, it is about time for some more pictures. Bet you are loving it. The barrels are a good idea. They will help warm it at night.

Sure too bad about the pavers, but maybe the gravel will be easier to walk on. Easier on your back too.

Jeanette

Jeanette,

I'm more of an old time rock and roll person myself. My plants all rock to my music .
Gravel is very comfortable but pavers would provide steadier surface for benches (and my chair).
Found a gorgeous door last night! We went to a store that specializes in stuff that's been removed from homes being torn down or remodeled. I found this wonderful full glass door with beveled lines. It's double paned and extremely heavy. Came complete with the closer for $30.00 . I was floored as this is better than all the new ones I had seen for $150. This door will keep the cold out!
Now I'm looking for a window. I had thought to get a basement utility window but didn't like what I found. All those open in from the top. This morning as I laid in bed staring out the skylight I began to wonder if a skylight would work installed vertically? This would give me a window that would open out from the bottom. Hard part would be to find the size I need.
Any window experts out there who would know if a vertical installation is possible with skylights? Would have to work with an automatic vent opener.
Have to wait on the pictures as it's been pouring rain here and hasn't stopped.

MollyD

Good Grief Molly!! You are going first class with this thing aren't you? LOL. Sounds great. A veriticle skylight yet! Don't know how, but I am sure you can figure it out.

Plants might grow faster with the old rock and roll music. Altho I think sometimes the basketball games go pretty fast. I really am not into that anymore since I left Seattle. It is more fun to have a hometown team.

Let us know how the window does. Jeanette