Blue MDPE Pipe and Mesh Tunnels

Last year, I used mdpe pipe and scaffolders debris netting to protect my brassicas from the cabbage white butterfly. This involved pushing each end of the pipe into the ground and covering with the netting, then weighting that down. It worked ok, but was a bit of a faff when I needed to weed/harvest etc as it involved removing the weights and rolling back the cover.

This year I have taken a tip from someone called “Amazing rotovator” and built some frames for this pipe and mesh covering, now all I have to do is just lift one end or side and prop it up and I have instant access.





Steve...

 

Cool! what you going to put in it now veg?

 

Starting with the one that is lifted, that is sprouts, next are cauliflower, then red cabbage, then summer cabbage...

Steve...

 

Tea at Steves everyone

 

No problem...sprout and cauliflower quiche in the oven..

Steve...

 

They looks very smart Steve, but I get on all right with mine with the debris netting just dfraped over the hoops and a few bricks anchoring it down - easy to throw the netting up to the half-way-point for weeding / access.

Doesn't look bang-on tidy like yours though!

Pictures of my daughter making it (when she was 9 ) [Blog Link]

 

But it becomes difficult if two are side by side Kristen, it's ok if you have the space for them and/or access also.

Mine last year when done like yours..



In this scenario, access was from either end, lifting the bricks then the cover involved walking on the beds and the cover never stayed up when folded halfway, it always slid down one side or another with the very slightest of breezes to aid it.

Now this year, I just lift and prop, hoe and let back down, nice and easy and no walking on the bed. Rough directions on how to make mine are on my blog (Link below).

Steve...

 

Ah ... hadn't considered that ... I have 4' wide raised beds, path between each, so different scenario

 

I've seen pictures of an almost identical design, but covered with plastic and used a a cloche within polytunnels (was thinking about making some for putting over hotbeds), but it didn't click that the same design would also work with mesh. I've got my eye on a great roll of that pipe in a friend's barn.

My daughter was a great help with gardening at that age, enjoying doing all sorts of stuff. Unfortunately she's now at the sulky teenager stage. At least she doesn't want me to give her a quarter mile ride to/from the plot in my wheelbarrow any more.