How to Make Low Tunnel Hoops

When I was ready to buy my first hoops, it was a mystery. I couldn’t find them anywhere. Where were growers getting these horseshoe shaped tubes? Johnny’s didn’t have them and I couldn’t find any resources from Floret, so where did these hoops come from?

And then I realized that I had to MAKE the hoops…oooh. And come to find out, it’s actually pretty easy. Let me show you how!

1. Get a Hoop Bender and Other Materials

First, you need a hoop bender, ½” x 10’ electrical conduit and some space!

When it comes to the hoop bender, you can choose between a 3’ hoop bender and a 4’ hoop bender. Because our rows and beds are 4’ wide, I use the 4’ hoop bender.

The conduit can be found at most hardware stores and cost around $6 per piece.

Keep in mind the conduit is 10’ long so ensure you have a proper way to transport the tubing! If you are like me, you run it through your tailgate window through the backseat and in between the two front seats to rest on your dashboard! Or if you have a cool truck like my husband, you have this mini tailgate!! What!? I didn’t even realize that is what it was for!

2. Install Your Hoop Bender

Once you have your supplies, it’s time to install your hoop bender. The conduit is 10 feet long and you will need to be able to maneuver it so choose a location with some room. I previously installed the hoop bender on a wooden electrical spool and just recently on an old worktable.

On one side of your hoop bender is a loop. You will insert one end of your conduit into the loop so that 18-24” is hanging out the other side. Then slowly walk backwards bending the conduit along the bender. Stop once the conduit has reached the opposite end of the bender. Then do the same with the other side.

Voila! You just made your own hoops. Pretty dang simple isn’t it? The hardest part is putting on real pants to go to the store for the conduit!

3. Set Up Your Hoops

I primarily use our hoops in our beds, so they are easy to install. I simply push them down into the soil on the inside of the bed. No real strategy here. I just put all my weight on each side of the hoop to ensure it goes down at least the depth of the bed. I like to place hoops every 6-8’.

Once the hoops are in place and the row cover has been laid, you will need to secure the row cover. You can use Snap Clamps but honestly, they aren’t my favorite. To put it simply, they aren’t strong enough. One gust of wind sends them flying.

Instead, I like to use metal spring clamps from Home Depot. They’re less than a dollar and worth every penny! No matter how strong the wind, these clamps will keep your tunnel intact. But beware, you will find the black rubber tips all over the ground because they fall off easily.

If I am using hoops in the field, I will use one clamp per hoop. Here, the hoops are in a larger hoop with minimal wind, so I use one every other hoop.

I hope this mini step-by-step helped take the mystery out of where to find those “hoop things”!