Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Topic started by: Chaz1985 on April 16, 2014, 07:14

Title: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: Chaz1985 on April 16, 2014, 07:14: I'm just wondering what diameter pipe people use when building the hoop and netting support system to protect their fruit bushes and veggies. Is 20mm pipe too narrow to hold debris netting if supported by fencing pins and bamboo canes used as an under supports brace system?

I'm currently looking at buying 25mm water pipe but there is no point buying more expensive pipe if 20mm does the job!

Thanks in advance :)
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: m1ckz on April 16, 2014, 07:20: i use 20m, its fine
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: cadalot on April 16, 2014, 07:44: It's more a point of how big a hoop and at what centres. I have both sizes and tend to use the 25mm for the larger enclosures over the Brussels and I've made shallow and small hoop cages with timber bases covered with debris netting and chicken wire for different purposes. Adding a top restraint and or side restraints timber bamboo, plastic helps make it more rigid.
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: Ma Lowe on April 16, 2014, 14:18: Can I ask where you get the pipe from please pretty please. I have seen it on ebay but thinks it a bit expensive or is that just my Scrooge side coming out :).
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: mumofstig on April 16, 2014, 14:40: Wickes or Screwfix are usually reasonable but haven't checked prices recently.
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: Chaz1985 on April 16, 2014, 15:08: Wickes is currently the Cheapest place to buy it from.

Thanks for the advice guys! For size I think I'm going to go for 25mm
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: boldondig on April 16, 2014, 18:31: To me the trick was to use old gazebo frame poles to support the pipes - they are about 2ft long with 1ft in and 1 ft out the soil. Then I use a bit of wood with pipe clips to brace the frame at the top ridge to stop the netting pulling the frame in. About 1 metre spacings. Can post a photo if you want,
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: Potty Plotty Lotty on April 16, 2014, 21:04: Quote from: Chaz1985 on April 16, 2014, 15:08
Wickes is currently the Cheapest place to buy it from.

Check out Toolstation as well:

http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Plumbing/MDPE/d20/sd2729

They were significantly cheaper when I bought some a few years ago.
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: Chaz1985 on April 16, 2014, 21:19: Quote from: boldondig on April 16, 2014, 18:31
To me the trick was to use old gazebo frame poles to support the pipes - they are about 2ft long with 1ft in and 1 ft out the soil. Then I use a bit of wood with pipe clips to brace the frame at the top ridge to stop the netting pulling the frame in. About 1 metre spacings. Can post a photo if you want,

Pictures would be great. I need all the help I can get!
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: mumofstig on April 16, 2014, 21:30: Look here
http://kgarden.wordpress.com/?s=brassica%20hoops
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: davejg on April 16, 2014, 21:33: Bear in mind you get 25m for £15 at wickes and 50m for £26 at toolstation so wicks works out a little dearer per metre, but it depends how much your going to need.
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: Chaz1985 on April 16, 2014, 21:42: Thanks for all the info guys. I was looking at 25m but 50m from toolstation is much better value for money.

I already have 3m x 50m debris netting which is going to be used as a the cover.

Will have to get myself to toolstation :D
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: boldondig on April 17, 2014, 07:55: Web site pictures are good - the only I do additionally is the top bracing to stop the debris netting pulling the ends in.
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: gavinjconway on April 17, 2014, 08:05: Quote from: davejg on April 16, 2014, 21:33
Bear in mind you get 25m for £15 at wickes and 50m for £26 at toolstation so wicks works out a little dearer per metre, but it depends how much your going to need.

I get from building sites, skips, plumbers etc.. FREE... start collecting and save money.

I thought allotments were to save money not to spend it!!
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: SusieB on April 17, 2014, 08:10: Is it possible to have a bit more information on how the top bracing is fixed?
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: beesrus on April 17, 2014, 08:28: B and Q were the cheapest when I bought a roll last Spring.
20mm is plenty if braces are used. Make sure you don't underestimate the length of the loops you need. Easily done.
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: Chaz1985 on April 17, 2014, 08:48: Quote from: beesrus on April 17, 2014, 08:28
B and Q were the cheapest when I bought a roll last Spring.
20mm is plenty if braces are used. Make sure you don't underestimate the length of the loops you need. Easily done.

Thanks beesrus, I'm working out the eventual height of what I want to cover. Soon realised I need more than I thought!
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: boldondig on April 17, 2014, 09:36: Piece of wood with one of these either end SusieB
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: cadalot on April 17, 2014, 18:41: I used metal pipe clips and roofing batten on the chicken wire version and cable ties and bamboo on the mini version with the debris netting - last year all my hoops were connected to the bamboo with cable ties cheap as chips off ebay.
Title: Re: MDPE pipe diameter
Post by: TheWhiteRabbit on April 17, 2014, 19:21: I angle my end hoops outwards, that way when I pull the debris netting to close at the ends, it basically straightens them up. I just gather the ends of the netting and pop a brick on it.