This guy's a character, love his assertiveness. Good to share this kind of information, because this idea spread out among many people will eventually develope a Small Farmer version of Gutter Tunnels. Which is the BEST form of greenhouse scaling for large ag. It'll make the caterpillar tunnel look like a boyscout tent
Thanks for the very informative and costly experiment info. I personally think these videos have far more value showing failure points (not that this was a failure) as it allows people to use the thoughts and feedback of what doesn't work well and take it a step further. "Standing on the shoulders of giants". Thanks again John/Curtis.
John mentioned re-bar between hoops. I would suggest Galvanized pipe or P.V.C. pipe that would allow the rope to go through and eliminate a rust issue from the re-bar. As far as corner anchors , you could drill the corner posts and install eye bolts, attach rope or cable to 18-24" anchor posts (1/2 or 3/4" galvanized pipe would work well) with eye bolts attached to them and drive the anchor posts in the ground at an angle in toward the greenhouse. Just a suggestion.
I'm am impressed with the outside of of box thinking on the design. That is thing thing about experimenting, you learn what works and what doesn't. It doesn't seem like this failures on this design were major... or broke the bank so to speak. The thing that I noticed about all of this, and the thing that matters is--- The Crops Look Great! The Kale, the greens all of it, and it sounds like the way to get them to that point, albeit with some failure, was very cost effective. I like way those bows are just sunk into the ground. Thanks for sharing this.
Very well explained Mr. Hofer!! Thank you. I understand thoroughly now. It is a great idea for multiple beds. So glad to hear that someone else pokes holes in their plastic, too. ha ha
Im wondering if you could use a fan to make this a dual layer with some boards at the bottom and some wiggle wire... Seems like making a big 'balloon' that would make the top look like a standard poly tunnel. Not sure if that would reduce the light too much or not. It would help for crops in the summer as well if it does act as a shade cloth as well. Could open up the option of heating it if there is a full air barrier around the outside as well.
Hey Curtis, I had an economical polytunnel one time and the design was minimal but some of the components were absolute genius. One component was a small circular plastic ring that had two parts, the reason being that you could make a small hole in the plastic sheet and then use the plastic ring (one part on the outside of the plastic and one side on the inside of the plastic) that just clipped together reinforcing the hole in the plastic sheet. Those held up to some of the most incredible storms and winds....granted some structural damage but the plastic clip rings survived to this day...polytunnel didnt :-). If I can upload a photo later, I will.
Found something that may help John. Found on Amazon Australia, but they should be in most areas. "Earth Auger Shed Anchor Kit - 1000 LBS Pressure Tested Hold Per Stake" Drilled into ground with cordless drill. 1 or 2 at each corner should negate most wind loads. Bolt or tie the bar that is attached to the rib in the ground. Would allow anchors for the middle (where plastic flaps & causes issues at corners) but also to tie down the rebar or rope at the ends of the mid rib areas. Just a thought.
For not much extra effort you could add more longitudinal stability by driving in star droppers/pickets on each corner and maybe also in the middle and bolting the arches to them. I'd also thread the rebar he plans to use to weigh down the plastic between the arches through some poly pipe to protect the plastic.
I apologize if I missed it but, he kept saying he needed to secure those end hoops into the ground. But I missed HOW one is supposed to do that???? Kinda left me hanging. (???) Also, I wasn't clear as to where rain water was supposed to go that found its way into those valleys where he spoke of the rebar holding it down. A big rain storm can dump a lot of water so that's something kind of important. No disrespect intended, only my own observations. I may have missed something. Thanks for posting!
Appreciate the video, the pros and cons were great to listen to! Beautiful thoughts and explanation that will benefit all farmers! TY BTW, were those handles on his sandbags... any links to purchase those?
Now on those pre-drilled holes why not pound in another pipe that’s .25 diameter larger at ground level so rather than constantly beating up and loosening a dirt hole pushing those rib posts in and taking them out etc you could simply slide them down into a larger diameter pipe and be more sturdy and less chance of a dirt hole loosening. Once that dirt hole is worn out that spot is almost unusable to put a post into.. Thoughts? Great set up over all though
Yes! This will be happening this year. I just took down 200ft to move and I think this will be what I try next. Would like to see/know how he takes down and stores plastic for the winter though! Another awesome vid Curtis!
Not sure about the Biological impact but some eco growers refuse to use tunnels as the sun is the ultimate predictor of whole nutrition within the energy psyche of the plant. A rather interesting take.
This would never work in Ohio where we get wind gusts of 60, 70 miles an hour. Check with the USDA they have a program for getting a free greenhouse every year. We are now getting our 2nd greenhouse, seasonal extender that will be 100' by 100'. Peter@marthasfarm.com
This guy's a character, love his assertiveness. Good to share this kind of information, because this idea spread out among many people will eventually develope a Small Farmer version of Gutter Tunnels. Which is the BEST form of greenhouse scaling for large ag. It'll make the caterpillar tunnel look like a boyscout tent
What is a "Gutter Tunnel"
Another EXTREMELY likable farmer!
Smart, curious_ generous.
Does more with less and shares.😎
Thanks Curtis! 😎
Thanks John. Yes, John is a gold mine of knowledge and abundance!
Thanks for the very informative and costly experiment info. I personally think these videos have far more value showing failure points (not that this was a failure) as it allows people to use the thoughts and feedback of what doesn't work well and take it a step further. "Standing on the shoulders of giants". Thanks again John/Curtis.
combitz Ideas we can adapt an use 👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍
John mentioned re-bar between hoops. I would suggest Galvanized pipe or P.V.C. pipe that would allow the rope to go through and eliminate a rust issue from the re-bar. As far as corner anchors , you could drill the corner posts and install eye bolts, attach rope or cable to 18-24" anchor posts (1/2 or 3/4" galvanized pipe would work well) with eye bolts attached to them and drive the anchor posts in the ground at an angle in toward the greenhouse. Just a suggestion.
Thanks for answering the questions, and pros/cons! Good content.
I love watching videos featuring this guy. He's so positive, well thought out, and unafraid to try shit.
Thank you John for clarifying this setup.
Great energy, mind and spirit!! I love the generosity of concept and practical application. Most appreciated!! 💚💚💚💚💚🌿🌱👍🏻
Respect to John for inventing this new system and being open about those couple of things that didn't go his way the first time.
Lots of Great information in a short time span, thanks to you Both
I'm am impressed with the outside of of box thinking on the design. That is thing thing about experimenting, you learn what works and what doesn't. It doesn't seem like this failures on this design were major... or broke the bank so to speak. The thing that I noticed about all of this, and the thing that matters is--- The Crops Look Great! The Kale, the greens all of it, and it sounds like the way to get them to that point, albeit with some failure, was very cost effective. I like way those bows are just sunk into the ground. Thanks for sharing this.
I love this guy's accent! Great content. Thanks!
Really helpful, John and Curtis. Look forward to fall video. Thank you both.
Very well explained Mr. Hofer!! Thank you. I understand thoroughly now. It is a great idea for multiple beds. So glad to hear that someone else pokes holes in their plastic, too. ha ha
Great Content and worthfull to watch the entire video
Im wondering if you could use a fan to make this a dual layer with some boards at the bottom and some wiggle wire... Seems like making a big 'balloon' that would make the top look like a standard poly tunnel. Not sure if that would reduce the light too much or not. It would help for crops in the summer as well if it does act as a shade cloth as well. Could open up the option of heating it if there is a full air barrier around the outside as well.
Hey Curtis, I had an economical polytunnel one time and the design was minimal but some of the components were absolute genius. One component was a small circular plastic ring that had two parts, the reason being that you could make a small hole in the plastic sheet and then use the plastic ring (one part on the outside of the plastic and one side on the inside of the plastic) that just clipped together reinforcing the hole in the plastic sheet. Those held up to some of the most incredible storms and winds....granted some structural damage but the plastic clip rings survived to this day...polytunnel didnt :-). If I can upload a photo later, I will.
Found something that may help John. Found on Amazon Australia, but they should be in most areas.
"Earth Auger Shed Anchor Kit - 1000 LBS Pressure Tested Hold Per Stake"
Drilled into ground with cordless drill. 1 or 2 at each corner should negate most wind loads. Bolt or tie the bar that is attached to the rib in the ground. Would allow anchors for the middle (where plastic flaps & causes issues at corners) but also to tie down the rebar or rope at the ends of the mid rib areas.
Just a thought.
South east nc. Think this would help increase my mid summer lettuce production using shade cloth instead of plastic.
All round savings, seems like a good idea to me 👍 maybe something to look at for our market garden
For not much extra effort you could add more longitudinal stability by driving in star droppers/pickets on each corner and maybe also in the middle and bolting the arches to them. I'd also thread the rebar he plans to use to weigh down the plastic between the arches through some poly pipe to protect the plastic.
I apologize if I missed it but, he kept saying he needed to secure those end hoops into the ground. But I missed HOW one is supposed to do that???? Kinda left me hanging. (???) Also, I wasn't clear as to where rain water was supposed to go that found its way into those valleys where he spoke of the rebar holding it down. A big rain storm can dump a lot of water so that's something kind of important. No disrespect intended, only my own observations. I may have missed something. Thanks for posting!
Appreciate the video, the pros and cons were great to listen to!
Beautiful thoughts and explanation that will benefit all farmers!
TY
BTW, were those handles on his sandbags... any links to purchase those?
Love John Hofer:-)
Thank you for explanation. How do you design green house the pipes and plastic sheet to handle strong winds and windy storms.
can i do same tunnel with bamboo structure?
Now on those pre-drilled holes why not pound in another pipe that’s .25 diameter larger at ground level so rather than constantly beating up and loosening a dirt hole pushing those rib posts in and taking them out etc you could simply slide them down into a larger diameter pipe and be more sturdy and less chance of a dirt hole loosening. Once that dirt hole is worn out that spot is almost unusable to put a post into..
Thoughts? Great set up over all though
Is there anyway to collect that pooling water and use it to water beds?
Another advantage, more air space inside the larger greenhouse, rather than three smaller ones,, more stable temperatures.
Yes! This will be happening this year. I just took down 200ft to move and I think this will be what I try next. Would like to see/know how he takes down and stores plastic for the winter though! Another awesome vid Curtis!
how much do these single covers and ribs, spines fasteners all total add to your overhead operational costs?
Not sure about the Biological impact but some eco growers refuse to use tunnels as the sun is the ultimate predictor of whole nutrition within the energy psyche of the plant. A rather interesting take.
Plastic is the BAIN of this Earth. #BeMoreInnovative
Goods
❤
خوب جان متشکرم
Yeah but does it protect about EMF?😂😂😂
This would never work in Ohio where we get wind gusts of 60, 70 miles an hour.
Check with the USDA they have a program for getting a free greenhouse every year. We are now getting our 2nd greenhouse, seasonal extender that will be 100' by 100'. Peter@marthasfarm.com
Been applying for 5 years now, still dont have one. Apparently much easier to get approved in some states. I'm in SC.
You need a farm service number correct?
@@JeremyinGreer Call up the Ashland Ohio USDA and asked them if there's any difference, I think it's federal and should be the same everywhere.
@@dezinicky9477 Ask your local USDA what is required.
@@dezinicky9477 we had our land zoned farm and did all the other things needed to qualify.
i love these videos but the jumpy camera work makes me nauseas.
Why the hell didn't you shoot this video when he had the damn plastic up?
I did. th-cam.com/video/EnbPsgBZMjw/w-d-xo.html, You're welcome. In the future, if you're polite, I want block you ;)