There are so many gardening videos that make reference to hoop structures over beds but your's is the only one that I've watched that actually explained how it works! Providing the temperature #s is they type of info that is really needed. You continue to provide me with so much useful info and I am grateful for the time you take to share your knowledge. You are more than a gardener, you're an educator! Even if you retired from the school
I’m 11 and I love snatching your videos! They are so relaxing and help me a lot! My cherry tomatoes and jalapeños just popped up and my zinnias are bringing in a couple butterfly’s and lady bugs! I got the green stalk planter and it has worked out great! (I saw the green stalk planter in your other video “patio gardening”) thanks for all the good advise for plants.
I recently moved to a different climate zone in my country. Frost damage is now a concern. I appreciate the simplicity of your method and the relatively inexpensive recyclable resources used.
Where have you been?! Your videos have started to pop-up on my UA-cam. This video is exactly what I needed to see! I live in Idaho with similar growing season as you. Two years ago I implemented a hoop-system but seeing you use the water jugs just answered a solution on how to help expand my growing season. Thank you so much for this!
I've been here for years with two new videos every week and a livestream on Monday. Subscribe and select the bell notification and you'll see more pop-ups like this.
This is great content. Something I've always thought about trying is coming up with a setup where I can have both a raised bed garden and some sort of hot compost setup close enough that they could be tented together for a bit of a makeshift mini greenhouse that could potentially extend the growing season through the winter without any external heat sources, relying on the heat generated by the active composting to keep the space warm.
I finally got into gardening, but I realized where I live is terrible for most plants I enjoy growing. We're outside Chicago and -F temps are pretty common in the winter- you seem like 50' F is cold, well, it's mid-tune and that's not unheard of for daytime temps. I typically have a relatively short grow season or am limited to certain types (if I want a good yield or bloom). Hoping to move one day to a more tropical climate and enjoy what you all experience.
Ya-a German ( of course) in update Catskills had double-wrapped Quonset huts full of flowers that had propane heaters that went off below a certain temp to save the plants-but the double wrap was the secret as the sun would melt off and the shape of the roof would cook the insides as a warm oven... Smart German
Thank you for adding in metric measurements and Celsius temperatures in your videos. Having to pause a video and go off to find the conversions can be very frustrating when you're trying to learn something new. Keep the informative videos coming. I've learned seek much already from them and I am teaching my sister as well when she has the time.
I just found your channel a while ago. I am trying to take in all can from you. You sure have some good things on here. I appreciate you taking the time to teach us. I’m getting raised beds for next year and am learning so much about them from you. Thank you so much.
Hi! Great Video, I was trying to find a way to protect my 5ft avocado plant (we are in Charlotte NC) every year gets affected and it comes back in spring but I want to protect it so it doesn’t die and keep growing.
Good video. I find that covering the ends of the bed separately from the sides allows for easier access to the bed for watering , harvesting, and venting. These covered beds make great places to store your perennials in pots like strawberries, blueberries, flowers etc.
Thank you for the video! I'm a coastal Southern California gardener, so I don't have to worry much about freezing temperatures. I have seen some commercial growers use these, I suspect to keep plants growing more quickly than they usually would in low temperatures, or to get a jump start on warm season vegetables and flowers.
I use 4 m of plastic on the windows for the winter....reuse them this way in the spring garden..... Fold it up until fall and use again... Buy new plastic for winter windows and repeat come spring.... I use cattle fencing for my hoops.... I do the planter and pot trick too.... A buddy passed on a trick for lean-to style off his shed next to a garden reusing hard plastic sheeting..... I like the clamps close pegs work in a pinch lol but don't hold up one gust of wind the wrong way breaks the cloths pegs.....
The red coffee cans drive me nuts all over but the red is darker to warm up better.... Dark rocks were found a few weeks ago and I added these around where I hop in the garden lol... Holds the heat and rocks slowly add minerals into the soil..... They look much prettier then the coffee cans but the cans hold water too for an easy quick water or addind Xtra humidity...........
I have grown spinach, winter hardy lettuce, and various greens under plastic hoops in the dead of winter. We do get zero and below here in central IN. If the sun shines it can get hot in the hoop areas. If the sun doesn't shine for a few days it gets cold under the hoops. I've seen stuff freeze and wilt. Amazingly most of it makes it and looks good again. The stuff does well under snow covered hoops. As a matter of fact some lovely weeds start growing also. Mice like it under there too!
I was taught by our local gardeners not to use plastic that can touch plants during freeze or heavy frost as it can cause freeze burn to leaves that it touches. If a blanket or old sheet is placed between plastic and plant then thats much better. Cloth will help hold temps up better and plastic will stop cold air and freezing rain.
Thank you this should help. Usually my plants have already grown to full size way before winter but last year I decided to plant Carolina Reapers for the first time. I’m not experienced with any of this and I have no idea what I’m doing LoL. Apparently it takes longer for carolina reaper plants to grow than all of my other plants. They all died before they even started producing fruit. I want to be prepared this year because last year it was depressing LoL. Thanks for the help! I will like and subscribe!
Hi sir thank you so much . I'm still search for plants shutter in winter season . Today you solve my problem . But sir it is possible we give light inter the gauge for heating . The December month plants stop growing ?
Lights inside the hoop can provide heat for the plants. Less sunlight in December will slow the growth of plants, but they can survive with extra heat.
I feel your pain trying to unfold and then cover the beds in the wind. I use to drive a flatbed truck, and trying to tarp and untarp, and fold in the wind was very frustrating
Hi. Great video. So much info. I live in Virginia zone 7. I have a guava tree 5 ft tall gave me fruits this summer 2024 and a avocado 5 ft tall. I usually keep them inside for winter but I want to try leaving them outside what would you recommend??? Thanks!
It may be a challenge without supplemental heat. They can be killed when the temperature drops below freezing. If you can cover them and provide a heat source, it can work.
Availability plays a factor. I couldn't find clear plastic in 6 mil so I used the opaque. You have a good idea about discussing the different options in a video. Thanks.
We have a sudden blast of polar air coming into Colorado after many hot days of 90 deg in early Sept. Even with the hoops and covered plastic over our mature tomato plants, should we consider pulling all the green tomatoes and letting them ripen inside at this point? The temps may go down to mid 20s. Would cutting the plant at its base and hanging upside down from the rafters in the garage offer any benefit in the ripening process if we choose to harvest prematurely before the cold comes?
I'm digging all the hoopla on these hoops! Great video, we're getting a surprise hard freeze here for the next two days and I'm a bit worried. Hoops might be the answer I'm looking for.
Hi Gardener Scott! I’m in zone 5b my sister’s bought me a for my birthday (aug.2022’) I know this plant will have to come indoors before our first frost but my question is should I place plastic over it completely while I have it inside for the winter season? It also states “ Water Daily “ on the tag so, should I water it every day? I’ve already had leafs dropping off of the plant which makes me nervous- it was a very expensive plant- (I don’t wanna kill it!) HELP PLEASE.. Thanks ✨🤍
I covered my raised bed last week and put a thermometer under it to see what difference it made and found that it was warmer in the day, but at night it has been 5 to 7 degrees colder in the hoop than the temperature outside the hoop. Is there a reason it would do that that you know of? Is there something I may have done wrong?
Good video. I’m in 5b as well (Chicago suburbs). Looking for info on how to safely overwinter “zone 5” newly planted trees. Last year’s winter was more like zone 4 around here and the forecasts for this winter are another cold and snowy one.
That's a good concern, Jim. There are a few things I do. Mulch deeply around the new tree to help reduce frost heave and to moderate soil temperature; the roots will continue to grow until the ground is frozen. Be sure that you don't pile up the mulch against the tree trunk to avoid potential rot and/or animal damage. Use a tree wrap or guard around the trunk to avoid freeze/thaw damage. amzn.to/2nCATt7
I lost a couple of Japanese 5yr. Old maples because the bark froze and split in spring ,that I could peal it off and the trees were ruined . They were doing fine tell last winter . I didn't think I had to rap the trunk but I guess these kind of trees need protection from freezing & thawing in the winter sun . SAD LOSS . (( I'M NEW SUB. TKS. VIDEOS. FM. WISCONSIN. P.S I SAWED off the trunk & now there a small bush .
Hey gardener Scott. Just stumbled onto your channel and have watched a few of your videos and have enjoyed the thorough information you provide. I like your approach on things. Might I suggest that you somehow quicken the pace of your dialogue, perhaps just in the editing process, because for the first time, I’m having to use UA-cam’s playback rate feature and I have to listen to your videos at 1.5x and I still wish it was a bit quicker pace. It might help new viewers to stick around. Just my two cents, thanks for the work you put into your videos!
Hi, Amber. Thank you for the feedback. I've had many, many comments thanking me for the slower pace because it can be easier to understand for new gardeners and gardeners from other countries. I've also add others recommending a 1.5x playback. It's difficult to keep everyone happy and to change the way I normally talk.
@@GardenerScott I like it slower, myself, but many ppl are getting used to the extremely quick-paced talking that a lot of UA-cam ppl do, that I find annoying, lol
Hi Scott, Can you tell me where you purchased your galvanized steel garden planters? They are lovely. I have a small yard with a big tree so sun is an issue. Those beds would work for me if I could put them on a wheeled platform and move them around. Enjoyed your video. Thanks for being so precise in your directions.
@@GardenerScott thanks very much for your reply. I'm going to call our store here and see if they have them. Again I enjoyed your videos and have emailed them to friends and family.
Hi, I am interested some sheet to cover for just winter time and remove in the summer like that. I lived in Atlanta, we're getting the temperature in 22 F for the whole week. Do you know if they have some sheet like that much thicker to keep the iGreen house at least 50 F ? Thanks
@@GardenerScott How they measure 6 mil . Is it equivalent with 1.77 OZ thick ? Do you think the type of fabric sell at Amazon will do ? I am thinking about buying two , and sew them together.
I live in central Ohio and started a garden this summer. The winters get pretty cold. Will something like this work over winters when it drops into the 10s? Or so I need to move my vegetable plants inside?
99F here in north central Georgia today. It is supposed to cool off starting Saturday. I followed your video about trellising tomatoes (indeterminate) and they are 8-9 feet tall. They are too tall to cover. We are in a drought so I did not plant any more tomatoes in August. But I did can some tomatoes and it was not too hard to do it. So I will have some tomatoes all winter. Would the plastic be practical for covering winter vegetables during deep freezes? Or would the plastic get too cold and crack and get blown away in a high wind?
Congratulations on your tomatoes. I have had success with the plastic over the winter; it's never gotten too cold and cracked. Remember that it only adds a few degrees of protection so to grow during deep freezes you'll need more than one layer of plastic. A double hoop system can work. Use low hoops covered with plastic and then cover that with a bigger hoop covered with plastic. Even then, only the hardiest winter vegetables will survive deep freezes.
Hello, Scott, thank you for your videos! I watched your cattle panel videos, and I put some of them in my garden. I am thinking about the sharpness left after cutting with a bolt cutter. Will the sharpness easily cut the plastic? I am thinking about using a die grinder to dull the sharpness. Do you think it is necessary to dull them? Thank you again!
@@GardenerScott I need to cut about 4 inches from one side since I need to put it into 4 by 4 beds. I ground the sharp points already, which scratched the skins off from a few spots in my arms and legs.
Thank you so much for this. First year gardener in the Seattle area. Short enough season as it is, looking forward to getting this set up with my raised beds tomorrow! :D Question though..regarding the plastic...I'm finding 6 mil with and without UV treatment. Thoughts???
Good for you. I favor the 6 mil without UV treatment, but only because it is usually less expensive. UV treated plastic will last longer when exposed to the sun, but in my region we experience a lot of wind and hail. Untreated plastic is good for at least two seasons and mine is usually damaged enough by then that I replace it after two years. If I had less angry weather, the UV plastic might be worth the extra cost to get another year or two out of it.
Hi, Chris. Yes, there is a risk of mold during warm weather if the plastic covers a moist bed and no air is allowed to circulate, but it would take a number of days for that to happen. For long-term use, I recommend raising the sides or ends during warm days to reduce the chance of mold. If you keep the beds fully covered on very cold days (a good idea), the colder air is less likely to be humid and the chance of mold lessens.
How often on average do you need to water under the plastic in the winter? I am wondering if they will stay alive for 10 days without water given the temps stay around 30 degrees F this time of year or weather I should invest in a soaker hose with timer because it is a pain to lift plastic to water.
Much depends on humidity and temperature. I find that once a week watering is often enough. A soaker hose is a nice option, but it might freeze if temperatures drop overnight.
Mostly because of availability. To get plastic that thick, it is usually slightly opaque. It still let's light through, but retaining heat is the primary use and this type of plastic works well.
Scott this was an awesome video. Great practical information. I have a question. I built a small pvc enclosure using this same kind of plastic. However I felt that the 6 mil was too thick and would not let in enough sun during the day. I returned it and got 4 mil instead. Do you agree or disagree?
Thank you. I would agree based on the reason for using the plastic. To let light in and encourage growth, the thinner plastic will be better. However, once the plants are mature toward the end of the season, the thicker plastic will work better to hold in warmth and keep the plants from frost or cold damage.
I’ve gone thru many of the comments here and you nor anyone have inquired about whether the plastic should be UV protected plastic rather than the regular plastic sold at the big box stores. I believe after a season the plastic will significantly deteriorate and/or be eaten up and damaged by the UV light of the sun. Your thoughts? Anyone’s thoughts?
UV protected plastic is another option but is usually more expensive and can be hard to find, except from online greenhouse supply sites. For typical gardeners, the ease of using big box store plastic makes it a good choice. I store mine in a shed when not using it and it is still usable after four years, even with holes from hail.
@@GardenerScott thanks , thats good to know . im growing Cherokee purple . I really like the taste of them , Its sad to see how bad the quility of the local store tomatos are in general ! They shuld only pick when ripe and reduce the prices when they have to move them .
I have a raised garden in cinder blocks instead of wood. You mentioned to use rebar for hoops to attach to. It's not a good option for me since you have to cut a 10ft piece of this into 6 or more shorter lenghts. What else would be good to use that's already cut in shorter lenghts.
I have been able to find 1ft, 2ft, and 3ft pre-cut lengths of rebar at Home Depot and Lowe's. If you don't have that option, consider using thick lengths of wooden dowels as an alternative. With sturdy cinder blocks as the base, you can also build a wood frame that fits your bed, drill holes in the boards that match the hoops and fit them into the holes.
Another option is to pound in lengths of PVC that are larger than what you used for the hoops. Then the ends of your hoops can slip inside. PVC is easy to cut, even with a hacksaw. Try to place them in the corners of the blocks along the length for added stability. If you feel it needs more reinforcement then pound in a wide wooden stake catty-cornered against the larger piece to hold the PVC tight to the corner. If you only have narrow stakes use a couple of them. No fastening to the cinder block required.
@@GardenerScott I didn't know that they came in different lengths. Got the 1ft lenghts and PVC pipe in 5ft lengths, and the 6ml plastic. Got it put together today.
They are electrical conduits from Lowe's or Home Depot and need to be bent on a jig designed for making hoops. I have a video about hoops that shows how I make them.
I am trying to figure out a way of controlling the temperature in my greenhouse so that I can keep it below 90 degrees. I have been thinking of adding a bubble wrap layer to the outside of the greenhouse, then a space blanket layer, then an Alumanet shade cloth on top. I tried a normal black 90% shade cloth with the addition of a portable air conditioner inside and with the outside temperature at 85 degrees mid-morning the inside temperature in the greenhouse was already at 102 degrees. Have you had any experience with trying to cool down a hot greenhouse?
I gardened in a 42ft dome greenhouse. Used 40% shade cloth, kept the doors open, and had vents. It was still extremely difficult keeping the temperature "cool". It was always at least 15 degrees hotter than outside temps, which posed a problem in summer.
@@GardenerScott Yeah, mine is running about 20 to 25 degrees hotter than the ambient air temp here. Do you think a bubble wrap insulation layer and space blanket layer would help?
I think bubble wrap and a space blanket would act as insulation to hold heat in. The mylar would reflect external light and heat away, but it wouldn't allow enough light in to sustain plants. Venting to let heat out and/or let cool air in and shade cloth during the day is about the only tried and true method I know.
@@GardenerScott I'm not really concerned with blocking light in the greenhouse as I will not be using the greenhouse for plants anyway, just for the worms, but have solar powered LED grow lights installed in there in there on a backup battery bank because I used to be a medical marijuana patient and needed them for growing that if I ever need to use the greenhouse for plants again. After shading with a 90% black shade cloth, venting, adding a thermostat controlled exhaust fan, and adding a portable air conditioner set at 61 degrees and I cant keep the daytime temperature below the mid to upper 90s so far, even when it is only in the low 80s outside. I have a 70% Alumanet shade cloth coming in today, I will try adding that over the 90% black shade cloth and see if the silver will reflect enough of the sun off of it to cool it down any.
The white is more available in the thicker mils. It doesn't heat up as fast, which gives me a little more control over temperature. And the clear tends to be more expensive, so I get the white to save some money.
There are so many gardening videos that make reference to hoop structures over beds but your's is the only one that I've watched that actually explained how it works! Providing the temperature #s is they type of info that is really needed. You continue to provide me with so much useful info and I am grateful for the time you take to share your knowledge. You are more than a gardener, you're an educator! Even if you retired from the school
I’m 11 and I love snatching your videos! They are so relaxing and help me a lot! My cherry tomatoes and jalapeños just popped up and my zinnias are bringing in a couple butterfly’s and lady bugs! I got the green stalk planter and it has worked out great! (I saw the green stalk planter in your other video “patio gardening”) thanks for all the good advise for plants.
Thanks! I'm glad they're helpful. Enjoy gardening!
Thank you for also giving some info on the temperature in Celsius. I’m in Europe and it saved me trying to convert it online, lol.
This will help me I’m Filipino I’m here in America for year now and I hate seeing my plants dying
I don't have words but only tearful eyes. How much original and helpful you're!!
Shukriya, sir.
This helped me, especially the part about last minute prep for freezing.
The milk carton works really well 👍🏻👍🏻
I recently moved to a different climate zone in my country. Frost damage is now a concern. I appreciate the simplicity of your method and the relatively inexpensive recyclable resources used.
I also use the igloo coolers with straw around it and it works great. Just put them out early enough to heat up and then cover your plant
Thank you Gardener Scott! This is just the information I need to ensure I get a good pepper harvest next year.
Mr. Scott, Thank you!!! BLESSINGS! PEACE!🌙🙏☮💕💫
Where have you been?! Your videos have started to pop-up on my UA-cam. This video is exactly what I needed to see! I live in Idaho with similar growing season as you. Two years ago I implemented a hoop-system but seeing you use the water jugs just answered a solution on how to help expand my growing season. Thank you so much for this!
I've been here for years with two new videos every week and a livestream on Monday. Subscribe and select the bell notification and you'll see more pop-ups like this.
Thank you Scott , i love your videos !
Thank you for your advice 🥰🌹🪴
This is great content. Something I've always thought about trying is coming up with a setup where I can have both a raised bed garden and some sort of hot compost setup close enough that they could be tented together for a bit of a makeshift mini greenhouse that could potentially extend the growing season through the winter without any external heat sources, relying on the heat generated by the active composting to keep the space warm.
This video is as very help! Thank you so much
Excellent, thank you!
I finally got into gardening, but I realized where I live is terrible for most plants I enjoy growing. We're outside Chicago and -F temps are pretty common in the winter- you seem like 50' F is cold, well, it's mid-tune and that's not unheard of for daytime temps. I typically have a relatively short grow season or am limited to certain types (if I want a good yield or bloom). Hoping to move one day to a more tropical climate and enjoy what you all experience.
Great video and info! Fall isn’t even really here yet where I live. It’s cooled off some but is still in the high 80°s to mid 90°s.
Thanks.
Exactly what I needed. Thanks so much!
Awesome info as usual thank you Gardener Scott
Thank you.
Xin chào anh.anh có vườn rộng rãi và đẹp quá anh ơi
Ya-a German ( of course) in update Catskills had double-wrapped Quonset huts full of flowers that had propane heaters that went off below a certain temp to save the plants-but the double wrap was the secret as the sun would melt off and the shape of the roof would cook the insides as a warm oven...
Smart German
Double plastic can hold amazing heat inside.
Great vid I’m growing my first plant this year an we just got our first frost so this will hopefully give him some more times to grow
Thank you for adding in metric measurements and Celsius temperatures in your videos. Having to pause a video and go off to find the conversions can be very frustrating when you're trying to learn something new. Keep the informative videos coming. I've learned seek much already from them and I am teaching my sister as well when she has the time.
You're welcome. I'm glad they're helpful.
I just found your channel a while ago. I am trying to take in all can from you. You sure have some good things on here. I appreciate you taking the time to teach us. I’m getting raised beds for next year and am learning so much about them from you. Thank you so much.
You're very welcome. Glad you're here.
You gave me so many good ideas! Thank you!!
You're welcome. 🙂
Great info Scott. I used the plastic covering from a new mattress to cover my plants. A new subscriber.
Thanks! Welcome to the channel.
Great ides ,Thank you for video.
Hello, I uses that plastic and I put smooth top sticks to hold my plastic up.
Thanks for sharing. Maybe you can also try placing sun heated bricks or hot stones inside the tent at night along with the water.
Thank you Gardener Scott.
You're welcome.
Hi! Great Video, I was trying to find a way to protect my 5ft avocado plant (we are in Charlotte NC) every year gets affected and it comes back in spring but I want to protect it so it doesn’t die and keep growing.
Very useful info, especially for last minute solutions. Much appreciated!
Glad it was helpful!
Thank you 👍🏿
Good video. I find that covering the ends of the bed separately from the sides allows for easier access to the bed for watering , harvesting, and venting. These covered beds make great places to store your perennials in pots like strawberries, blueberries, flowers etc.
Thank you. Thanks for the suggestions.
Thank you for the video! I'm a coastal Southern California gardener, so I don't have to worry much about freezing temperatures. I have seen some commercial growers use these, I suspect to keep plants growing more quickly than they usually would in low temperatures, or to get a jump start on warm season vegetables and flowers.
You're right. That little increase in a few degrees can be quite beneficial for commercial operations.
I've used red coffee cans with water this year to keep the garden warmer and adding humidity at the same time.....
I use 4 m of plastic on the windows for the winter....reuse them this way in the spring garden..... Fold it up until fall and use again... Buy new plastic for winter windows and repeat come spring.... I use cattle fencing for my hoops.... I do the planter and pot trick too.... A buddy passed on a trick for lean-to style off his shed next to a garden reusing hard plastic sheeting..... I like the clamps close pegs work in a pinch lol but don't hold up one gust of wind the wrong way breaks the cloths pegs.....
Good ideas. Thanks.
The red coffee cans drive me nuts all over but the red is darker to warm up better.... Dark rocks were found a few weeks ago and I added these around where I hop in the garden lol... Holds the heat and rocks slowly add minerals into the soil..... They look much prettier then the coffee cans but the cans hold water too for an easy quick water or addind Xtra humidity...........
I have grown spinach, winter hardy lettuce, and various greens under plastic hoops in the dead of winter. We do get zero and below here in central IN. If the sun shines it can get hot in the hoop areas. If the sun doesn't shine for a few days it gets cold under the hoops. I've seen stuff freeze and wilt. Amazingly most of it makes it and looks good again. The stuff does well under snow covered hoops. As a matter of fact some lovely weeds start growing also. Mice like it under there too!
I was taught by our local gardeners not to use plastic that can touch plants during freeze or heavy frost as it can cause freeze burn to leaves that it touches. If a blanket or old sheet is placed between plastic and plant then thats much better. Cloth will help hold temps up better and plastic will stop cold air and freezing rain.
That is true. That's why the hoops are high enough to keep plastic off the plants. Thanks.
Thank you this should help. Usually my plants have already grown to full size way before winter but last year I decided to plant Carolina Reapers for the first time. I’m not experienced with any of this and I have no idea what I’m doing LoL. Apparently it takes longer for carolina reaper plants to grow than all of my other plants. They all died before they even started producing fruit. I want to be prepared this year because last year it was depressing LoL. Thanks for the help! I will like and subscribe!
Mr Scott, if I carry my plants pots into Patio or Garage will my plants survive a couple of frost nights? Thank you Sir.
Excellent video.
Thank you very much!
Very informative
Hi sir thank you so much . I'm still search for plants shutter in winter season . Today you solve my problem . But sir it is possible we give light inter the gauge for heating . The December month plants stop growing ?
Lights inside the hoop can provide heat for the plants. Less sunlight in December will slow the growth of plants, but they can survive with extra heat.
i love your channel! keep up the good work 🌱❤️
What about adding gallon water jugs under these covers to retain a bit more heat at night? Lol. Guess I should have waited to ask.
Great information thank you so much
Glad it was helpful!
I feel your pain trying to unfold and then cover the beds in the wind. I use to drive a flatbed truck, and trying to tarp and untarp, and fold in the wind was very frustrating
Learn which way the wind in blowing then use it to your advantage to help you open it and affix it on one side and then go wrestle the other side.
You should really pull over and stop before trying to tarp/ untarp... ;-p
Hi. Great video. So much info. I live in Virginia zone 7. I have a guava tree 5 ft tall gave me fruits this summer 2024 and a avocado 5 ft tall. I usually keep them inside for winter but I want to try leaving them outside what would you recommend??? Thanks!
It may be a challenge without supplemental heat. They can be killed when the temperature drops below freezing. If you can cover them and provide a heat source, it can work.
Love your videos please keep them up!
Thanks, Patricia. Will do.
Very helpful.
any reason why you would use white plastic instead of clear plastic? Maybe a video on the different of plastics?
Availability plays a factor. I couldn't find clear plastic in 6 mil so I used the opaque. You have a good idea about discussing the different options in a video. Thanks.
We have a sudden blast of polar air coming into Colorado after many hot days of 90 deg in early Sept. Even with the hoops and covered plastic over our mature tomato plants, should we consider pulling all the green tomatoes and letting them ripen inside at this point? The temps may go down to mid 20s. Would cutting the plant at its base and hanging upside down from the rafters in the garage offer any benefit in the ripening process if we choose to harvest prematurely before the cold comes?
I'm digging all the hoopla on these hoops! Great video, we're getting a surprise hard freeze here for the next two days and I'm a bit worried. Hoops might be the answer I'm looking for.
Thanks, Alex.
Question...why use the more opaque vs clear? I would think the clear would make it warmer
It's about availability and cost. The opaque is inexpensive and readily available at stores.
Hi Gardener Scott! I’m in zone 5b my sister’s bought me a for my birthday (aug.2022’) I know this plant will have to come indoors before our first frost but my question is should I place plastic over it completely while I have it inside for the winter season? It also states “ Water Daily “ on the tag so, should I water it every day? I’ve already had leafs dropping off of the plant which makes me nervous- it was a very expensive plant- (I don’t wanna kill it!) HELP PLEASE.. Thanks ✨🤍
Great video! Great tips!
Thanks!
I covered my raised bed last week and put a thermometer under it to see what difference it made and found that it was warmer in the day, but at night it has been 5 to 7 degrees colder in the hoop than the temperature outside the hoop. Is there a reason it would do that that you know of? Is there something I may have done wrong?
Where did you get the metal hoops and the plastic hoops that you used
I made them. Here's the video that shows how: ua-cam.com/video/pHru4eZI1VA/v-deo.html
Would this plastic work in spring to warm up soil and get the seeds sowed while days and nites are still cool. Thankyou Scott🌶
Absolutely.
Good video. I’m in 5b as well (Chicago suburbs). Looking for info on how to safely overwinter “zone 5” newly planted trees. Last year’s winter was more like zone 4 around here and the forecasts for this winter are another cold and snowy one.
That's a good concern, Jim. There are a few things I do. Mulch deeply around the new tree to help reduce frost heave and to moderate soil temperature; the roots will continue to grow until the ground is frozen. Be sure that you don't pile up the mulch against the tree trunk to avoid potential rot and/or animal damage. Use a tree wrap or guard around the trunk to avoid freeze/thaw damage. amzn.to/2nCATt7
I lost a couple of Japanese 5yr. Old maples because the bark froze and split in spring ,that I could peal it off and the trees were ruined . They were doing fine tell last winter . I didn't think I had to rap the trunk but I guess these kind of trees need protection from freezing & thawing in the winter sun . SAD LOSS . (( I'M NEW SUB. TKS. VIDEOS. FM. WISCONSIN. P.S I SAWED off the trunk & now there a small bush .
Hey gardener Scott. Just stumbled onto your channel and have watched a few of your videos and have enjoyed the thorough information you provide. I like your approach on things. Might I suggest that you somehow quicken the pace of your dialogue, perhaps just in the editing process, because for the first time, I’m having to use UA-cam’s playback rate feature and I have to listen to your videos at 1.5x and I still wish it was a bit quicker pace. It might help new viewers to stick around. Just my two cents, thanks for the work you put into your videos!
Hi, Amber. Thank you for the feedback. I've had many, many comments thanking me for the slower pace because it can be easier to understand for new gardeners and gardeners from other countries. I've also add others recommending a 1.5x playback. It's difficult to keep everyone happy and to change the way I normally talk.
@@GardenerScott I like it slower, myself, but many ppl are getting used to the extremely quick-paced talking that a lot of UA-cam ppl do, that I find annoying, lol
Thanks. I tend to think slower is better. :)
@@GardenerScott you're welcome, wow, just found you, what a wealth of knowledge
Gardener Scott, I appreciate the way/speed that you explain your process. Please don’t change a thing!
Uv stabilized plastic? How about double sheeting?
UV stabilized plastic is a good option, but usually a little more cost. Double sheeting can more than double the temperature protection.
Hi Scott, Can you tell me where you purchased your galvanized steel garden planters? They are lovely. I have a small yard with a big tree so sun is an issue. Those beds would work for me if I could put them on a wheeled platform and move them around. Enjoyed your video. Thanks for being so precise in your directions.
Thanks. They are livestock tanks that I bought at my local farm and ranch store.
@@GardenerScott thanks very much for your reply. I'm going to call our store here and see if they have them. Again I enjoyed your videos and have emailed them to friends and family.
Hey Scott I’m thinking on buying outdoor greenhouse I have greenhouse heater how can I keep my plants on ground durning fall and winter months
Depending on how cold your winter is gravel mulch and water jugs can help maintain heat when covered.
Hi,
I am interested some sheet to cover for just winter time and remove in the summer like that. I lived in Atlanta, we're getting the temperature in 22 F for the whole week. Do you know if they have some sheet like that much thicker to keep the iGreen house at least 50 F ? Thanks
You can using more than one sheet of plastic. Adding extra layers should help.
@@GardenerScott How they measure 6 mil . Is it equivalent with 1.77 OZ thick ? Do you think the type of fabric sell at Amazon will do ? I am thinking about buying two , and sew them together.
I don't know what fabric you mean but thicker will provide more protection.
I live in central Ohio and started a garden this summer. The winters get pretty cold. Will something like this work over winters when it drops into the 10s? Or so I need to move my vegetable plants inside?
Plastic covers provide just a few degrees of protection. They work in winter but a single layer won't protect plants in severe cold.
What about high winds it gets windy in eastern Washington.
The spring clamps keep the plastic in place.
Do we need holes in the polythene so that plants don't suffocate?
Opening the sides during the day to avoid excess heat is good to exchange air inside.
99F here in north central Georgia today. It is supposed to cool off starting Saturday. I followed your video about trellising tomatoes (indeterminate) and they are 8-9 feet tall. They are too tall to cover. We are in a drought so I did not plant any more tomatoes in August.
But I did can some tomatoes and it was not too hard to do it. So I will have some tomatoes all winter.
Would the plastic be practical for covering winter vegetables during deep freezes? Or would the plastic get too cold and crack and get blown away in a high wind?
Congratulations on your tomatoes. I have had success with the plastic over the winter; it's never gotten too cold and cracked. Remember that it only adds a few degrees of protection so to grow during deep freezes you'll need more than one layer of plastic. A double hoop system can work. Use low hoops covered with plastic and then cover that with a bigger hoop covered with plastic. Even then, only the hardiest winter vegetables will survive deep freezes.
Will fabric to keep moth and other pest out provide enough warmth for 40 to 50 degree nights
Yes it will. It will help hold heat in and offer an extra 2-3 degrees of warmth.
Hello, Scott, thank you for your videos! I watched your cattle panel videos, and I put some of them in my garden. I am thinking about the sharpness left after cutting with a bolt cutter. Will the sharpness easily cut the plastic? I am thinking about using a die grinder to dull the sharpness. Do you think it is necessary to dull them? Thank you again!
The sharp points are pushed into the soil to anchor it. You can grind to dull them if you want.
@@GardenerScott I need to cut about 4 inches from one side since I need to put it into 4 by 4 beds. I ground the sharp points already, which scratched the skins off from a few spots in my arms and legs.
Not sure any small greenhouse could have held up during the major 7-12 day hard freeze most of the country saw 2 months ago.
Thank you so much for this. First year gardener in the Seattle area. Short enough season as it is, looking forward to getting this set up with my raised beds tomorrow! :D Question though..regarding the plastic...I'm finding 6 mil with and without UV treatment. Thoughts???
Good for you. I favor the 6 mil without UV treatment, but only because it is usually less expensive. UV treated plastic will last longer when exposed to the sun, but in my region we experience a lot of wind and hail. Untreated plastic is good for at least two seasons and mine is usually damaged enough by then that I replace it after two years. If I had less angry weather, the UV plastic might be worth the extra cost to get another year or two out of it.
excellent points just subbed
Thanks. Welcome to the channel.
is perlite potting soil ok for organic gardens ...does the styrophome leach anything into the soil
Perlite is an acceptable amendment for organic gardening, but styrofoam is not.
Hi Scott a question when the soil is humid and the plastic sheet completely covers the raised bed, is there a risk moulds will grow in the soil?
Hi, Chris. Yes, there is a risk of mold during warm weather if the plastic covers a moist bed and no air is allowed to circulate, but it would take a number of days for that to happen. For long-term use, I recommend raising the sides or ends during warm days to reduce the chance of mold. If you keep the beds fully covered on very cold days (a good idea), the colder air is less likely to be humid and the chance of mold lessens.
How often on average do you need to water under the plastic in the winter? I am wondering if they will stay alive for 10 days without water given the temps stay around 30 degrees F this time of year or weather I should invest in a soaker hose with timer because it is a pain to lift plastic to water.
Much depends on humidity and temperature. I find that once a week watering is often enough. A soaker hose is a nice option, but it might freeze if temperatures drop overnight.
I am in Houston. Can Tomatoes, Chillies, Brinjal ( EggPlant) plants survive frost nights if pots are moved into Patio or into garage ? Thank you Sir.
Yes, as long as they are not exposed to the frost they can survive. The patio or garage needs to remain above freezing.
Why the (almost) opaque white plastic, rather than clear?
Mostly because of availability. To get plastic that thick, it is usually slightly opaque. It still let's light through, but retaining heat is the primary use and this type of plastic works well.
Scott this was an awesome video. Great practical information. I have a question. I built a small pvc enclosure using this same kind of plastic. However I felt that the 6 mil was too thick and would not let in enough sun during the day. I returned it and got 4 mil instead. Do you agree or disagree?
Thank you. I would agree based on the reason for using the plastic. To let light in and encourage growth, the thinner plastic will be better. However, once the plants are mature toward the end of the season, the thicker plastic will work better to hold in warmth and keep the plants from frost or cold damage.
What do you do about sunlight since these plants are covered?
The plastic doesn't block all of the sun and enough comes through for the plants.
I’ve gone thru many of the comments here and you nor anyone have inquired about whether the plastic should be UV protected plastic rather than the regular plastic sold at the big box stores. I believe after a season the plastic will significantly deteriorate and/or be eaten up and damaged by the UV light of the sun. Your thoughts? Anyone’s thoughts?
UV protected plastic is another option but is usually more expensive and can be hard to find, except from online greenhouse supply sites. For typical gardeners, the ease of using big box store plastic makes it a good choice. I store mine in a shed when not using it and it is still usable after four years, even with holes from hail.
If I dont have blooms yet , and the temp gets below 50f is my plant now damadged and not going to put on blooms when its at that stage ?
It depends on the plant. Some plants can handle 50F and recover when it gets warmer.
@@GardenerScott thanks , thats good to know . im growing Cherokee purple . I really like the taste of them , Its sad to see how bad the quility of the local store tomatos are in general ! They shuld only pick when ripe and reduce the prices when they have to move them .
I have a raised garden in cinder blocks instead of wood. You mentioned to use rebar for hoops to attach to. It's not a good option for me since you have to cut a 10ft piece of this into 6 or more shorter lenghts. What else would be good to use that's already cut in shorter lenghts.
I have been able to find 1ft, 2ft, and 3ft pre-cut lengths of rebar at Home Depot and Lowe's. If you don't have that option, consider using thick lengths of wooden dowels as an alternative. With sturdy cinder blocks as the base, you can also build a wood frame that fits your bed, drill holes in the boards that match the hoops and fit them into the holes.
Another option is to pound in lengths of PVC that are larger than what you used for the hoops. Then the ends of your hoops can slip inside. PVC is easy to cut, even with a hacksaw. Try to place them in the corners of the blocks along the length for added stability. If you feel it needs more reinforcement then pound in a wide wooden stake catty-cornered against the larger piece to hold the PVC tight to the corner. If you only have narrow stakes use a couple of them. No fastening to the cinder block required.
That's a good solution. Thanks.
@@GardenerScott I didn't know that they came in different lengths. Got the 1ft lenghts and PVC pipe in 5ft lengths, and the 6ml plastic. Got it put together today.
That's great! Glad to hear it.
I’ve covered my plants with a frost protective fabric....is it as good as plastic?
It depends on the thickness. You should be able to gain a few degrees of protection.
I am wondering about the clamps. Don’t they rust?
The springs will show some rust, but still last for years.
Uv stabilized plastic?
Where do you get the metal hoops from?
They are electrical conduits from Lowe's or Home Depot and need to be bent on a jig designed for making hoops. I have a video about hoops that shows how I make them.
What state or growing zone are you gardening in?
I'm in Colorado, Zone 5B.
I am trying to figure out a way of controlling the temperature in my greenhouse so that I can keep it below 90 degrees. I have been thinking of adding a bubble wrap layer to the outside of the greenhouse, then a space blanket layer, then an Alumanet shade cloth on top. I tried a normal black 90% shade cloth with the addition of a portable air conditioner inside and with the outside temperature at 85 degrees mid-morning the inside temperature in the greenhouse was already at 102 degrees. Have you had any experience with trying to cool down a hot greenhouse?
I gardened in a 42ft dome greenhouse. Used 40% shade cloth, kept the doors open, and had vents. It was still extremely difficult keeping the temperature "cool". It was always at least 15 degrees hotter than outside temps, which posed a problem in summer.
@@GardenerScott Yeah, mine is running about 20 to 25 degrees hotter than the ambient air temp here. Do you think a bubble wrap insulation layer and space blanket layer would help?
I think bubble wrap and a space blanket would act as insulation to hold heat in. The mylar would reflect external light and heat away, but it wouldn't allow enough light in to sustain plants. Venting to let heat out and/or let cool air in and shade cloth during the day is about the only tried and true method I know.
@@GardenerScott I'm not really concerned with blocking light in the greenhouse as I will not be using the greenhouse for plants anyway, just for the worms, but have solar powered LED grow lights installed in there in there on a backup battery bank because I used to be a medical marijuana patient and needed them for growing that if I ever need to use the greenhouse for plants again. After shading with a 90% black shade cloth, venting, adding a thermostat controlled exhaust fan, and adding a portable air conditioner set at 61 degrees and I cant keep the daytime temperature below the mid to upper 90s so far, even when it is only in the low 80s outside. I have a 70% Alumanet shade cloth coming in today, I will try adding that over the 90% black shade cloth and see if the silver will reflect enough of the sun off of it to cool it down any.
I hope that works for you. 👍
Why white plastic as opposed to clear?
The white is more available in the thicker mils. It doesn't heat up as fast, which gives me a little more control over temperature. And the clear tends to be more expensive, so I get the white to save some money.
@@GardenerScott
Thanks
So I'm guessing 2 mil is no good for winter weather? That's all I can find at the moment
It can be better than nothing and two layers is even better.
Here in zone 9b a few extra degrees could mean the difference between freezing or not for the entire winter!
Very true.
will mylar blankets protect my plants from cold weather?
Definitely. They are more effective at holding in heat, but should be removed during the day to allow in light and to avoid overheating.
@@GardenerScott Thank you
What size are your clamps?
I use different sizes, from 1" to 3".
Where are you located I am in Oklahoma
I'm in Colorado.
😯👍👍👍👌👍
Does the plastic emit harmful toxins into the plants?
None that I'm aware of.