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#GeorgiaGardener connects gardening enthusiasts in Georgia, showcasing regional plants, tips, and techniques. Users share vibrant visuals, personal stories, seasonal advice, and community events, fostering a shared love for gardening and nature.
Six years ago, I was enjoying my beautiful late-fall vegetable garden when I learned that Atlanta was going to experience one of its rare snow events. After some research, I decided to use low tunnels to protect my garden from freeze damage. Low tunnels are miniature versions of the high tunnel greenhouses used by commercial farms to extend their growing season into the winter. Low tunnels consist of a series of low arches equally spaced over a row of vegetables. Sheet material draped and secured over these arches (also called hoops) provide the vegetables protection from the cold. Common coverings include clear plastic sheets and frost fabric. PVC pipes are commonly used to create the hoops. Given their flexibility, they can easily be bent into an arch. This would have been an easy solution, but I wanted hoops that were durable. This led me to explore making the arches out of metal tubing instead. Because of their rigidity, metal tubings are much harder to shape into arches. However, they have the advantage of durability and strength. They will far outlast hoops made out of PVC pipes which are vulnerable to UV deterioration. In addition, unlike PVC hoops which collapse under weight, metal hoops will maintain their shape. The superior strength of metal hoops comes into play during snowfall. While Atlanta is known for its extreme heat, we do occasionally get snow here. When it snows here, like it did this past weekend, I’m thankful that I made my hoops out of metal tubings instead of PVC pipes. The construction of those metal hoops six years ago not only allowed me to garden through winter that year but also every year since. With the help of low tunnels, I now garden year round, even through some of the recent frigid winters. The metal hoops have been an excellent investment and should far outlast my remaining gardening years! #growyourownfood #homegrown #homestead #wintergarden #lowtunnel #frostprotection #caterpillartunnel #quickhoops #rowcovers #frostcloth #frostblanket #gardenhacks #atlantagardener #georgiagardener #organicgardener #instagardener #gardensofinstagram #instagarden #hoopbender #emthoops #farmlife #farmhack
1.4k
Six years ago, I was enjoying my beautiful late-fall vegetable garden when I learned that Atlanta was going to experience one of its rare snow events. After some research, I decided to use low tunnels to protect my garden from freeze damage. Low tunnels are miniature versions of the high tunnel greenhouses used by commercial farms to extend their growing season into the winter. Low tunnels consist of a series of low arches equally spaced over a row of vegetables. Sheet material draped and secured over these arches (also called hoops) provide the vegetables protection from the cold. Common coverings include clear plastic sheets and frost fabric. PVC pipes are commonly used to create the hoops. Given their flexibility, they can easily be bent into an arch. This would have been an easy solution, but I wanted hoops that were durable. This led me to explore making the arches out of metal tubing instead. Because of their rigidity, metal tubings are much harder to shape into arches. However, they have the advantage of durability and strength. They will far outlast hoops made out of PVC pipes which are vulnerable to UV deterioration. In addition, unlike PVC hoops which collapse under weight, metal hoops will maintain their shape. The superior strength of metal hoops comes into play during snowfall. While Atlanta is known for its extreme heat, we do occasionally get snow here. When it snows here, like it did this past weekend, I’m thankful that I made my hoops out of metal tubings instead of PVC pipes. The construction of those metal hoops six years ago not only allowed me to garden through winter that year but also every year since. With the help of low tunnels, I now garden year round, even through some of the recent frigid winters. The metal hoops have been an excellent investment and should far outlast my remaining gardening years! #growyourownfood #homegrown #homestead #wintergarden #lowtunnel #frostprotection #caterpillartunnel #quickhoops #rowcovers #frostcloth #frostblanket #gardenhacks #atlantagardener #georgiagardener #organicgardener #instagardener #gardensofinstagram #instagarden #hoopbender #emthoops #farmlife #farmhack
Some of you have asked if the metal hoops and snap clamps would work for heavier snow load than what we got in Atlanta last month. The answer is yes and I have an old video showing the setup under load to prove it. I've been using this same metal hoop and heavy duty snap clamps setup for six years now. The first winter I used the setup was in my previous garden when I was farming in the city. The very next day after I set up the low tunnels for the first time in my raised beds, they were immediately subjected to involuntary load testing. Two of my neighbor’s cats decided that the frost blankets covering the low tunnels made for perfect kitty hammocks. Both cats climbed on top of the low tunnels to bask in the sun. These were well-fed felines and each one subjected at least 10 lbs of load on the low tunnel. Despite carrying over 20 lbs of weight, the low tunnel held up without issues. The weight did not detach the frost cloth from the metal hoops. This is a testament to the tremendous grip strength of the heavy duty snap-on clamps used. Due to their lack of rigidity, PVC or PEX hoops would have collapsed under this kind of weight. In contrast, the metal hoops didn't even flex at all. This is a clear indication that they are capable of handling significantly higher load. #growyourownfood #homegrown #homestead #wintergarden #lowtunnel #frostprotection #caterpillartunnel #quickhoops #rowcovers #frostcloth #frostblanket #gardenhacks #atlantagardener #georgiagardener #organicgardener #instagardener #gardensofinstagram #instagarden #hoopbender #emthoops #farmlife #farmhack
885.0
Some of you have asked if the metal hoops and snap clamps would work for heavier snow load than what we got in Atlanta last month. The answer is yes and I have an old video showing the setup under load to prove it. I've been using this same metal hoop and heavy duty snap clamps setup for six years now. The first winter I used the setup was in my previous garden when I was farming in the city. The very next day after I set up the low tunnels for the first time in my raised beds, they were immediately subjected to involuntary load testing. Two of my neighbor’s cats decided that the frost blankets covering the low tunnels made for perfect kitty hammocks. Both cats climbed on top of the low tunnels to bask in the sun. These were well-fed felines and each one subjected at least 10 lbs of load on the low tunnel. Despite carrying over 20 lbs of weight, the low tunnel held up without issues. The weight did not detach the frost cloth from the metal hoops. This is a testament to the tremendous grip strength of the heavy duty snap-on clamps used. Due to their lack of rigidity, PVC or PEX hoops would have collapsed under this kind of weight. In contrast, the metal hoops didn't even flex at all. This is a clear indication that they are capable of handling significantly higher load. #growyourownfood #homegrown #homestead #wintergarden #lowtunnel #frostprotection #caterpillartunnel #quickhoops #rowcovers #frostcloth #frostblanket #gardenhacks #atlantagardener #georgiagardener #organicgardener #instagardener #gardensofinstagram #instagarden #hoopbender #emthoops #farmlife #farmhack
Several of you asked how I secure frost fabric to the hoops in my low tunnels. Here’s some background info on what I’ve tried and what has worked best for me. After making hoops out of EMT (electric metallic tube), I needed something that would secure frost fabric to them. I learned that “snap clamps” were made for this purpose. I purchased a set. They installed easily, but after using them for a few weeks, I began to notice some issues. The frost fabric often came loose because the snap clamps weren’t holding the fabric securely. Most snap clamps are made for use with PVC tubing. Since PVC tubing has a thicker wall than metallic tubing of the same inner diameter, the clamps fit loosely on my metal hoops. In addition, when I repeatedly put the clamps on and took them off, their sharp corners began causing rips in the fabric! After more research, I discovered the Bootstrap Farmer snap clamp which was designed specifically for EMT. Not only was the plastic body thicker and more sturdy, it incorporated metal tensioners for extra grip strength. It was also designed with rounded, tapered, and flared corners which made the clamp easier to put on and take off, but also prevented it from cutting into and ripping the fabric. After five winters of using the Bootstrap Farmer clamps, I can highly recommend them not just for their superior quality and design but also for their durability. While the other clamps quickly got brittle and broke, the Bootstrap Farmer snap clamps still look and perform like new. I highly recommend these clamps whether for use with frost fabric during the winter or for shade fabric and insect netting during the warmer months! For links to these clamps, visit my Amazon Shop through my bio and you’ll find them in the “Gardening” section! #growyourownfood #homegrown #homestead #wintergarden #lowtunnel #frostprotection #caterpillartunnel #quickhoops #rowcovers #frostcloth #frostblanket #gardenhacks #atlantagardener #georgiagardener #organicgardener #instagardener #gardensofinstagram #instagarden #hoopbender #emthoops #farmlife #farmhack
787.0
Several of you asked how I secure frost fabric to the hoops in my low tunnels. Here’s some background info on what I’ve tried and what has worked best for me. After making hoops out of EMT (electric metallic tube), I needed something that would secure frost fabric to them. I learned that “snap clamps” were made for this purpose. I purchased a set. They installed easily, but after using them for a few weeks, I began to notice some issues. The frost fabric often came loose because the snap clamps weren’t holding the fabric securely. Most snap clamps are made for use with PVC tubing. Since PVC tubing has a thicker wall than metallic tubing of the same inner diameter, the clamps fit loosely on my metal hoops. In addition, when I repeatedly put the clamps on and took them off, their sharp corners began causing rips in the fabric! After more research, I discovered the Bootstrap Farmer snap clamp which was designed specifically for EMT. Not only was the plastic body thicker and more sturdy, it incorporated metal tensioners for extra grip strength. It was also designed with rounded, tapered, and flared corners which made the clamp easier to put on and take off, but also prevented it from cutting into and ripping the fabric. After five winters of using the Bootstrap Farmer clamps, I can highly recommend them not just for their superior quality and design but also for their durability. While the other clamps quickly got brittle and broke, the Bootstrap Farmer snap clamps still look and perform like new. I highly recommend these clamps whether for use with frost fabric during the winter or for shade fabric and insect netting during the warmer months! For links to these clamps, visit my Amazon Shop through my bio and you’ll find them in the “Gardening” section! #growyourownfood #homegrown #homestead #wintergarden #lowtunnel #frostprotection #caterpillartunnel #quickhoops #rowcovers #frostcloth #frostblanket #gardenhacks #atlantagardener #georgiagardener #organicgardener #instagardener #gardensofinstagram #instagarden #hoopbender #emthoops #farmlife #farmhack
🌱 Rethinking Seed Organization: A Sneak Peek 🌱 My engineering background has always heavily influenced my approach to gardening, driving me toward solutions rooted in science, efficiency, and data. So it's no surprise that when it comes to seed organization, my solution differs dramatically from popular methods like photo storage boxes, binder sleeves, and dividers. This may come as a shock, but my core philosophy in regards to the organization of seed packets is that less is more. This concept might sound counterintuitive at first. Its advantages aren't immediately obvious which is why I've never shared it publicly. Joe Gardener was the only person I shared it with because I regard him as a fellow garden nerd. Once I explained to him my approach, he not only understood its merits but decided to adopt it, leaving behind the photo box method he used previously. My recent discussion with Joe about this method—and why it works so well—is featured in episode 399 of The joe gardener Show podcast. While the episode just scratches the surface, it provides an introductory glimpse into how my system simplifies seed storage, eliminates ongoing maintenance, and offers unparalleled adaptability. This isn’t just a new method; it’s a paradigm shift that prioritizes function over convention. And its application extends beyond seed storage - I also leverage this system to streamline my seed starting, as well as garden planning, planting, and mapping. 👉 Listen to the episode through the link in my bio, then share your thoughts in the comments below if you’d like to learn more. If there’s enough interest, I’ll create additional content to provide an exclusive insider’s look at my unconventional yet innovative approach to seed organization. #SeedOrganization #seedstarting #gardenplanning #gardenhacks #gardeninghacks #gardentips #farmlife #farmhack #atlantagardener #georgiagardener #organicgardener #gardensofinstagram #instagarden #instagardener #EncyGROWpedia #growyourownfood #homegrown #homestead #squarefootgardening #JoeGardener
734.0
🌱 Rethinking Seed Organization: A Sneak Peek 🌱 My engineering background has always heavily influenced my approach to gardening, driving me toward solutions rooted in science, efficiency, and data. So it's no surprise that when it comes to seed organization, my solution differs dramatically from popular methods like photo storage boxes, binder sleeves, and dividers. This may come as a shock, but my core philosophy in regards to the organization of seed packets is that less is more. This concept might sound counterintuitive at first. Its advantages aren't immediately obvious which is why I've never shared it publicly. Joe Gardener was the only person I shared it with because I regard him as a fellow garden nerd. Once I explained to him my approach, he not only understood its merits but decided to adopt it, leaving behind the photo box method he used previously. My recent discussion with Joe about this method—and why it works so well—is featured in episode 399 of The joe gardener Show podcast. While the episode just scratches the surface, it provides an introductory glimpse into how my system simplifies seed storage, eliminates ongoing maintenance, and offers unparalleled adaptability. This isn’t just a new method; it’s a paradigm shift that prioritizes function over convention. And its application extends beyond seed storage - I also leverage this system to streamline my seed starting, as well as garden planning, planting, and mapping. 👉 Listen to the episode through the link in my bio, then share your thoughts in the comments below if you’d like to learn more. If there’s enough interest, I’ll create additional content to provide an exclusive insider’s look at my unconventional yet innovative approach to seed organization. #SeedOrganization #seedstarting #gardenplanning #gardenhacks #gardeninghacks #gardentips #farmlife #farmhack #atlantagardener #georgiagardener #organicgardener #gardensofinstagram #instagarden #instagardener #EncyGROWpedia #growyourownfood #homegrown #homestead #squarefootgardening #JoeGardener

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