This past weekend, I was able to install the doors to my hoop house. Though not perfect, they seem to be doing the job.
The door frames were constructed rather simply. These metal straps really do a good of connecting the wooden pieces together.
When open, the doors allow for plenty of airflow inside the hoop house on hot days. And when closed, the hoop house seems to do an adequate job of capturing the humidity and warmth of sun's rays. We've had some rather windy days these past couple of weeks (and seemingly more rain than we've had all summer). I'm glad to say that the hoop house has withstood the elements just fine thus far. Hopefully it will continue to do as winter progresses.
On a final note, I'm still doing battle with the field mice. I don't remember them being as bad last fall. I guess once they get wind of an abundant food source, they make themselves at home and breed. For the time being, they are mainly feasting on the carrot tops and Swiss chard. I really need to come up with an aggressive plan to manage them.
The hoop house is NICE!
ReplyDeleteHope you find a solution soon for the mice!
Thomas, I have been thinking of you and how your garden is growing. I must say that hoop house is beautiful! We have yet to start on ours.. too many other things going on. Hope all is well.
ReplyDeletePS: I have lots of seeds I've been saving; let me know if you need any.
Hoop House looks great! As for the mice... How do you feel about cats? :-)
ReplyDeleteI love the hoophouse! It makes my little house look tiny. Ha! I'm anxious to see what you'll do with it this winter...
ReplyDeleteDoors fit perfectly! I'm looking forward to pics with snow around the hoop house and greens inside.
ReplyDeleteI got moles in my greenhouse and it seems that they like it there. They are making a mess of everything.
Great work on the hoop house Thomas, it looks super sturdy.
ReplyDeleteYour hoophouse is wonderful...nice job! The only solution that I can think of for your mice problem is a couple of cats!
ReplyDeleteIt looks fantastic! I hope you find a solution to those mice, I'm sure those new warm digs will attract them, maybe just traps in the greenhouse will manage them? Not fun for you, though, who has to clean it up!
ReplyDeleteYour hoop house looks great. I'm glad it held up well to our last storm. I'm guessing you will need to buy traps to get rid of those mice. Or keep a cat in your hoop house.
ReplyDeleteMice and voles can be a real pain. My cat helps us to keep them away even though he is not a very good hunter!
ReplyDeleteThe hoop house doors turned out nicely and the whole set up looks very functional.
I am thinking a cat as well. Love the hoop house, I hope it does just what you want it to all winter long.
ReplyDeleteCats were my first thought. But I know you have dogs, and it would be kind of mean to leave warmth-loving cats in a hoop house.
ReplyDeleteIf you have cat-owning friends, maybe you can groom them and strategically place lumps of cat hair around the garden? I don't know how effective dog hair would be, but cat hair works as long as you refresh them regularly. I've seen mice in my compost bin, and my neighbours have had mice in their flats, but I've never had them nibbling at my garden, which I attribute to the cats hanging out amongst the veg.
The mouse problem seems to be an issue Eliot Coleman struggles with as well. (I followed the video link you have on your sidebar, some time ago). I very much enjoyed that..thanks.
ReplyDeleteYour hoophouse looks amazing! My husband and I have been talking about building one. Maybe next year! Field mice, yuk.
ReplyDeleteAll you need is a chair in there! :-)
ReplyDeleteThe hoop house looks great! Is it a store bought version or did you create it? Was it difficult to construct? It sure makes me think about putting one in. Your garden looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteYou did a great job on that hoop house. I'm totally impressed. The garden looks wonderful!
ReplyDeleteVery impressive hoop house, especially for the cost! We were reading your blog the other day and salivating over the hoop house, getting ideas for next year.
ReplyDeleteyour hoop house is so GREAT! I love it! I wish we were neighbors so I could learn from you...you are an inspiration to me. I'm still working on the summer garden...will winter garden someday...maybe next winter? This winter's goals are: learn to bake bread and sew a patchwork quilt. I only wish I had a beautiful hoop house full of winter greens to keep me fueled for these projects. Thank you for sharing your knowledge...I appreciate it a lot. (And I am so happy that your little boy loves to dip veggies in ranch...what a good dad you are. I would be proud, too!)
ReplyDeleteLove your hoop house Thomas! I am truly inspired!
ReplyDeleteI created a link to your hoop house post for the reference section of my garden blog!