Forum home› Tools and techniques
This Forum will close on Wednesday 27 March, 2024. Please refer to the announcement on the Discussions page for further detail.

What pipe to use for raised bed hoop house/tunnel/netting frame, (etc)?

January ManJanuary Man Posts: 212
in Tools and techniques
Hi all

The internet/youtube is awash with people using pvc waterpipe to make arches for their raised beds, which are then covered with clear plastic (to make a greenhouse type set up), or netting (to keep insects and birds away from crops. 

The videos are mostly American and they all talk about Schedule 40 PVC water pipe. Usually 1/2 inch diameter. What is the equivalent type of pipe in the UK? I've had a look online but it is hard to tell from the pics whether it will be bendy enough. I'm sure it is quite a standard product, just not sure what it's called! :)" src="http://www.diynot.com/diy/styles/default/xenforo/clear.png" alt="image" /> 

If anyone could let me know that would be very helpful. Any tips on where to get it from cheap would also be great. I would be much happier if I could get it in black or at least a dark colour. White just wouldn't look right in my garden. 

Many thanks

Max
«1

Posts

  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328

    Geoff Hamilton used to use blue Alkathene water pipe.  I see from the Web that it's now called MDPE and comes in black as well as blue.  I'm afraid I can't remember what diameter he used and have no experience of it myself - you could always visit a plumber's merchant and try wrestling a length to see what you think of its strength.  I think it's readily available so you could compare online prices with a local supplier.

    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328

    Forgot to say that it comes in a coil so is presumably a bit bendy, at least...

    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • Hostafan1Hostafan1 Posts: 34,888

    bendier when it's warm, so run some hot water through it if you need to bend it more than comes easily.

    Devon.
  • chris 172chris 172 Posts: 403

    Hi Max3

    I have a number of netted frames I use at my garden allotment, they are a temporary measure for protection from weather or at the moment looking after some brassicas.

    i will post some photographs tomorrow of my temp frames which can be made any size to suit your garden beds and light in weight to move around

    The pipe used on my frames are from inch alcathene water pipe which is very flexible

    Happy gardening

  • chris 172chris 172 Posts: 403

    image

    Hi Max3

    pictures as promised, they are very portable and can be made any size to suit garden bays

    happy gardening

  • ricky55ricky55 Posts: 2

    its called Qualpex, the colour is a light tan sold in 13mm,19mm 25mm

    from any good pluming store

  • January ManJanuary Man Posts: 212

    Many thanks for all the helpful replies. 

    Would definitely like to use black if possible, although I have now heard contrary arguments; that it would be more UV stable vs it would degrade quicker.  Still, I guess even a few years usage would be ok, although I don’t like things going to landfill so the longer it lasts the better. 

    I’ve found a few online retailers selling coils of black MDPE but no-one local.  Not sure if it is because I’m looking in the wrong places…  Any tips on what type of shops I should be contacting would be very helpful.  I’m in North Norfolk btw, just in case anyone reading is local.

    It’s interesting that on this side of the pond everyone is using the coiled MDPE.  Looking at people’s structures it seems to serve the purpose perfectly, I had ruled it out at first thinking in would be TOO flexible.  But I’m presuming it isn’t seeing as it is used so much.  In the US they tend to use straight lengths of pipe which then bend and form and arch under their own pressure (if that makes sense). 

    I’ve also seen stuff like these about:

    http://www.screwfix.com/p/conduit-20mm-x-3m-black-60m-pack-of-20/97817?_requestid=292335

    http://www.screwfix.com/p/floplast-pushfit-32mm-waste-pipe-black-3m-x-10/24661?_requestid=292076

    If I cannot get the MDPE locally, would they work or do you think they would be too brittle and snap?  Would they last as well?  I guess I’d also have to think about the overall height because my beds are a little wider at 5 foot….

    Thanks again to everyone for the fantastic help. 

    Max

  • LiriodendronLiriodendron Posts: 8,328

    If I remember correctly, Geoff Hamilton pushed bamboo canes into the ground and then fitted the pipe over them... though since he died 20 years ago my memory may not be accurate.

    I'm not sure how bendy the conduit & waste pipe would be.  If they're not intended for outside use they might not be UV stabilised either.  

    Since 2019 I've lived in east Clare, in the west of Ireland.
  • robin.whiterobin.white Posts: 42

    From what I have read 25mm MDPE pipe seems to be the norm in either black or blue.

    £34 for 50m plus P&P

    This black but they have blue as well.

    http://www.cityirrigation.co.uk/acatalog/25mm-MDPE-Water-Pipe-Black-12-bar-PE80-.html

  • WelshonionWelshonion Posts: 3,114

    All agricultural merchants, plumbing suppliers, building material suppliers, etc, etc sell blue water pipe.   It can be used above ground or underground.  It is easy to cut with a hack-saw.

    Try not to over-think the problem.  It will be plenty bendy.  And it will outlast you unless you are a very, very young person. 

    Last edited: 10 August 2016 16:38:49

Sign In or Register to comment.