E-Mail 'How Plastic Saved Our Homestead - Part 1, by H.P.' To A Friend

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1. Depending on your approach to growing, there are others far less expensive and sustainable, yet, provide same outcomes.

   How one views world, personal circumstance, etc. does grow literal cults of farmers and gardeners.

   I have moved over the years from one cult to another slowly going down a rabbit hole while learning about plants first, then to soils and am now wedged in a new place for me.

   It is taking the trip from dependence to independence. The more you learn and practice the more Ah-Ha moments.

   Both are wonderful journeys, I highly recommend for all.

   1. Would love to learn from you SCGAL as you have been open to learn from others. ❤

2. This is an excellent write-up. Thank you for taking the time to publish this article and sharing with us all that you have learned.

3. Nice article. And yes, plastic, which is often presented as a “demon” by the environmental faction definitely has a role to play in agriculture and home-scale growing. On my organic farm I used black plastic mulch to eliminate weed issues in some of my crops. Yes, it’s plastic and a petroleum product but it also allowed me to avoid a lot of cultivation, tiller use and of course herbicides which as an organic grower I didn’t use.

   Plastic covered tunnels allowed me to successfully grow crops and sell them locally without any use of supplemental heat. I never would have been able to harvest these crops at my elevation and latitude to any great degree without plastic tunnels.

   And drip tape as you note is a marvel; very efficient use of water. It was developed in Israel where water use is a major concern.

   And yes, heavy duty landscape fabric is a wonder for weed control in pathways, etc.

   I look forward to reading part 2.

4. We built our “hoop house” greenhouse out of two 2x6x12ft boards, cattle panel fencing, and greenhouse plastic salvaged from the local commercial growers when they replace theirs. They put it out next to the road for locals to take. One year when I missed the recycled plastic I bought extra large plastic drop cloths from Harbor Freight and layers those. They are a little more fragile but worked well enough for one winter. The ends are framed in lumber and covered with more plastic to let in the light. The first few years I connected the chicken coop to allow them to free range of the greenhouse. Now I garden all winter so they have their own run, also covered in the winter in greenhouse plastic. The greenhouse is a little taller than my head, and wide enough for an 18 in bed down each side and across the back, that leaves a path down the middle to walk on. You can control the width of your greenhouse by how far apart you set the side boards. I use a shop broom to sweep the snow off of the top. It has had almost two feet of snow on top without more than an inch or so of compression, but the snow blocks the light so I try to sweep it off every morning.

5. Here is brief description of low cost green house made from poles taken from the woods. To start, use this method to make 2 tripods: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S_1uTJh-Ats

   Run a pole between two tripods. Using planter’s plastic, or heavy mil plastic sheeting, drape over the top of the ridge pole. To close the end of this tent made out of plastic, bring the corners together so the shape is similar to the old U.S. Army pump tent. To secure the corners and edges and anchor them to the ground, sealing the green house up, simply place the excess plastic on the ground and put another but heavier pole on top along the edge. Then fold the plastic over that pole and place, yet another pole on top, locking the plastic in place. Cover with dirt to better anchor it.

   This is actually easy to make and strong, and the plastic can easy be removed and saved for subsequent years. If using heavy plastic, the sheeting to could last several seasons, and can with stand the harshest weather, snow included. And it is easy to fold one side up to gain access. Sometimes ‘simple’ is best, and the cost it as low as it gets. And this kind a frame can be use to make tents, wood sheds, and used as cover for temporary projects.

   1. This speaks to my condition, friend. I lack the money and mobility to follow most hoop house plans. Here is something that I can afford. I appreciate your post.

      Carry on

      1. Once a Marine,

         I believe there are many folks who are overwhelmed with daily expenses and who are in the Boomer generation, whom are also Patriots, that need low cost alternatives. As it turns out, these low tech alternatives are actually more resilient, and in creative hands, effective. I would rather put my limited funds to work in critical areas first, and then go for the optional.

         Using short season, cold weather crops reduces the need for green houses. However, I am still growing Swiss Chard under a low tech green house. It is matter of what one might prefer to eat. I consider it a luxury item, if one chooses to grow items from warm weather regions in a cold weather environment.

         I would rather use limited resources to acquire essentials. This requires knowledge and discipline. I am therefore in better shape than most, even those with better finances, because I live lean and mean now. For myself, it is on going FTX. Those with a comfortable living now, will have additional challenges when their standard of living radically changes, whereas I could build a cabin any where in the woods with an old fashioned hand saw, and ax, near water, and live comfortably. Brushcrafting skills are helpful as well.

         In uncertain times, any thing can happen.

         1. Thanks for reading TR. I certainly recognize that my designs wont work for everyone. However, I’d like to caution readers from being mislead into believing the design you suggest is more “resilient” or “effective” than mine. Everyone has unique circumstances that will determine priorities. A greenhouse that cost us less than $400 gives us unlimited “luxury items” from June to November. How does that cost compare to your radio equipment? Do you also view the purchase and consumption of non native, out of season foods as a luxury?

            1. I was speaking in general, and not with your fine article in mind. It was actually inspirational! What you have do there is wonderful, far nicer, more desirable, and at a very low cost. We should all strive to do the same. Food production is of course key, and a good quality green house can be of great assistance. I wish I could afford a nice green house like that, and given the opportunity as was presented to your self, I would. However those materials are not available to myself at this time, and at that low cost for such a high quality green house, it is ideal. Therefore, just like with radio equipment, I find low cost alternatives to fill the gap, so that I can afford other things instead. I actually have little money in to radio gear. I have twice as much invested into solar powered irrigation system, the Dankoff Slow pump. Even though radio is an interest, I have other interests as well. It is balancing act. Without the ability to pump lots of water, we cannot grow lots of food. Yet I still have much to learn about gardening, and will increase my pile of antibiotics as well. The balancing act never ends. And I can do get it done even on an extreme low budget, yet it requires discipline and innovation.

               In the near future, the ability to operate with little to no money will a critical skill to have. We can easily lose our middle class living standard, and be left with nothing. After 6 massive heart attacks and other illnesses, my life suddenly changed as I lost everything. So I live in the future most only contemplate. When the lights go out, my life will change less, because I have already adapted. I have for years lived by faith, and can say, that the Lord is indeed faithful. He has provided so well that I am actually amazed. Because of my physical issues that greatly limit myself, on an income of only 3-5K, I am yet, well prepared. For example, I’ve recently been so ill I cannot go out an get enough wood for the winter. Yet He provides, and it will be delivered tomorrow! Free! Amazing! Praise the Lord.

               I apologize if I may have insulted you in anyway.

6. How are you heating your “hoop houses?” Single wall high tunnels will hold off frost for a night but it will not sustain heat for a couple of cold nights here at 7500 feet.

   1. No heating system currently in place. Our winter crops- spinach, kale, raab, cabbage, arugula, lettuce, etc- dont mind the cold as long as the ground doesn’t freeze. One neighbor was heating a hoop house with a woodstove with mixed results. Keeping the the snow off the cover helps let light/heat in during the winter.
      Oppenheimer Ranch Project on youtube has a number of videos on high alpine greenhouse growing. Their heating techniques include geothermal “earth tubes” and thermal mass “heat sink”.

      1. Thank you!

7. Hey Tunnel Rabbit- not sure why but I can’t reply to your last comment- no reply button. Anyway, wanna thank you for helping provide some perspective on your situation. Certainly no offense taken here. In fact, your comments highlight the importance of developing a group/community. Limitations, whether financial, physical, emotional, or otherwise, can effect anyone at anytime. No one can do it all by themselves. It’s great to have areas of expertise, but we all need to develop diverse skillsets. You also highlight some areas in need of improvement for me personally- comms, solar, and grid down water pumping are a few that come to mind. Glad you were able to get some firewood! Thanks for your work!

   1. To explain: I had to cut off additional comments to one article, because they got out of hand. I must remind readers: Keep your comments civil, and keep them on topic.

8. How doess this system work when you get 6 + inches of snow. I would imagine the weight would destroy everything. Not to mention high winds.

   1. Tim- The hoops hold up remarkably well under snow loads. The plastic film is very strong and flexible. The hoop structure includes lateral end bracing which keeps the frame rigid. That being said, we do rake the snow off the hoops during big storms. We’ve had 18” of snow piled on it before without collapsing. If the snow is heavy and persistent, I try to rake it before it reaches 6-8” in depth. Once the sun comes out, the snow slides right off. The big issue then is removing the piles of snow along the sides. Picked up a small toro snowblower this year for that chore. We’ve had no issue with high winds. The ridge we live on frequently sees 50+ mph winds during bad storms. Only damage we had was the end wall film blew out once. Reason for this was because we used non-uv rated plastic.

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