Update: I've gotten all my materials to build the hoop house frame and shell. As mentioned, I have a 16' x 16' garden area which is fully enclosed within a 4' paddock fence. My thought is to design a greenhouse that has a permanent base with a detachable cap/roof. In terms of the base, I'm going to use eight 4' pieces of 1" PVC (4 on each side) which will be attached to the fence using galvanize 1" pipe straps and also screwed to the fence rails/posts using 1 1/2" wood screws. Attached to each base will be a 1" PVC union assembly which should allow me to easily unscrew the roof at each base point once the temp warms up. These were the most expensive materials (about $5 each) but in the end it should make installing/removing the roof/cap pretty painless each year. The roof will consist of 1" PVC "joists" that will be attached to the base and in the middle using 45 degree PVC adapters. The base will be also built up an additional 2.5' at the union point to increase the head space (see attached jpg for simple design illustration). All the PVC materials and strapping cost about $100 (purchased at local Home Depot). The shell will be the 6mm greenhouse film linked earlier in this thread. My questions with this design are: 1. Should some sort of support ridge be installed in the middle to support the center of the arch? I wasn't sure if it would be needed with a 16' x 16' sized hoop house. 2. What type of clips should be used to connect the film to the PVC framing? I've read that one can make their own using cut thin walled PVC material that will essentially snap over the preexisting framing, but wasn't sure if that was the best route. 3. I haven't yet figured out how to make the front/back in a fashion that is easy to installed and remove. When I put up the front, I'll be temporarily removing my existing gate for a larger door. Any guidance would be appreciated. I'm super excited for this project and actually started my seedlings last weekend for a mid-March transplant within the hoop house. This should extend my growing season (at least on the front end) by a full two months (zone 6b). smithmal This post was edited by smithmal on Tue, Feb 5, 13 at 16:16

Beckysharp - so sweet to post this! Its been so long since I've blogged and I love the fellowship with other design lovers! My hope with my new "old" house was to historically restore it, but alas it was too far gone. Time, weather and new building standards and codes made it too cost prohibitive for us to tackle in the most museum like- historic sense. We are trying very hard re-create many of the original features of the house and keep all its inherent charm. Like all old homes, over the the years there were updates and renovations. The kitchen was re-done in the late 60's early 70's, walls were removed, a library ripped apart to make room for a family room, and the cook and maids rooms were rehabbed. A bathroom was added to the first floor in a very odd location. The original house was set up for fine living and as such household rooms (i.e. kitchen, Laundry, pantry) , which in the 1900's were delegated to the staff, were small, cramped and not very attractive for a modern family. In fact, prior to the 1960-70 renovation, the only way to enter the kitchen was thru a small butlers pantry. Original owners spent their days in the living room, dining room, library and beautiful porches. The original home did not even include a bath on the first floor. We did not change the floor plan from the previous renovation except to move the bath, the rest remains the same. This project is a labour of love for us. We have done exhaustive research to try to be accurate as possible, especially with the exterior, as we love the old New England shingle-style homes and want to preserve the aesthetic and the feeling of our beautiful area. But it's important for others to remember that it will be our year round home, not a summer cottage, so liberties were taken inside to make the house usable for our family now and in the future (empty nesters, children and grandchildren!). Over the next few months we will be putting everything back together - so keep checking in and remember things are just starting to taking shape - sometimes the smallest detail can be the one element that makes all the difference. We are very excited to finish! Thanks for sharing! xox

Maybe that explains why I haven't gotten a reminder about getting the second shot yet. I'm planning on waiting a bit anyway based on the reaction I got to the first one. I don't know anyone who got anything like that or what explains it. I want to talk to my doctor about it before having the second one. I hope they get the supply up for those who want the first shot and the ones who need the second one. I don't want to start over and get a third one -- assuming that's what they would do.

Beautiful ‘Fortune’s Double Yellow’ Jackie! I hope you were careful up on that ladder. No one wants you to fall and get hurt, although you managed to get a fabulous shot. I so enjoy seeing it’s soft, nuanced colors. I envy you the space for all those climbers. I must agree that the firemen will be busy elsewhere for a while. I think we can assume the roses against the house will get to show their glorious spring flush(at the very least) undisturbed. You’re right about the South African bulbs doing well for me, Jackie. I grow all of the ones you mentioned, and more. The Agapanthus patch that was here upon my arrival was a common pale blue one, and the olive tree grew too large, blocking to much sun for them to bloom much. I offered them for free on Craig’s List, and folks came and dug them out by the bucketful. Madame Alfred Carrier found herself a home in their place. Marlorena, the Leucocoryne I pictured above is ‘Andes’. I have others as well. They bloom at odd times for me, depending on where I have them planted. The single ‘Andes’ bloom is an early bird this year. Yes, I am finding that ‘Bill Wallis’ geranium seeds himself quite a bit. I didn’t think it was very prolific until I let several years of seedlings multiply, each year there are more. I could have easily stopped it early on, but I didn’t, and I don’t mind so much. The gophers tend to leave it alone, and it’s better than growing weeds in places I rarely reach. Your anemone’s are lovely. I don’t know why I always chose the single types. I usually prefer very full petaled flowers. I might have to try some of the ‘Lord Lieutenant’ next year. They are inexpensive, and easily available. I grow the single ‘Mr. Fokker’, who’s name I still cringe to say aloud when people ask:) Roselady, I have yet to see a less than perfect picture of your accomplishments. Is there nothing you can’t grow? I love the bulbs you’ve grown! My bulb containers have been hit and miss this year, with some just now emerging. I put ice on several of the small potted tulips when we had warm temps. They spent the fall in the garage fridge, but when I bring them outside, success is largely dependent upon what weather nature brings. I didn’t prune Mel’s Heritage at all this year, Roselady. I have a hard time getting up that slope these days, and who knows how long my hip replacement surgery will be delayed now. I specifically didn’t want it done during the heat of summer, because watering is too much to ask of anyone during the hot months. I just cut away what canes need to be cut to avoid Mel’s Heritage taking over other roses, and have to leave it at that for now. He’s enormous, and should put on an incredible show in May. I see that ‘Wild Edric’ rose has opened that bud wide. I think I’ll submit this, and try to get a closer shot of his huge bloom. I should be back to post it soon. Lisa