Sounds like you are just getting started too. I put up very low hoophouses by using 10 foot long pvc in October. They were very low, and even though I am young (19) and able to get down in them, I will not do this again. My back kept getting wet from the low plastic. I live in the top corner of Tennessee so I was able to transplant some late lettuce. You're right. Mache is freeze proof. One cold variety of lettuce that I had the most luck with this winter has been 'Cracoveinsis.' It seems to be able to take the cold better than some others. I sowed a random mix that I got free; however, the leaves are very bitter. What are some of your favorite varieties of lettuce and spinach? I will have to try spinach next year. Is it more frost proof that lettuce? I read in Eliot Coleman's FSH that he had some spinach outside and covered it with pine boughs, and 90% survived the winter. I have also just sowed some 'Bull's Blood' beet. It shows some promise.

Next year I want to use a metal frame. I do not like PVC and would like something more perminant. Do you know where I can get a good metal frame that 15 feet long? That's the length of my beds. I will also have to experiment with some varieties that are more cold tolerant too. Good luck!

Aleopold

My two coldframes have been planted with spinach and radishes. Spinach is difficult to grow for me. I think the soil heats up and cools down too extremely for it to do well. I have automatic opener on one but it's too weak to open the lid in time to prevent broiling everything. I have a more powerfull one ready to install. Radishes have also been small and when my wife brings home those walnut sized radishes from the store, I want to just give up. I want to grow big radishes! I have more spinach under ag fleece and it continues to putt along albeit slowly. Moles and voles are tunneling under and setting up shop in the balmy climate inside the frames. Hardware cloth should deter them. Trying lettuce mix soon. Thanks for the comraderie!
Herbert

After a cold winter, the beds in my hoophouse finally thawed a couple weeks ago and I'm getting new growth on my over-wintered plants. As always, the perennials like sorrel and chives are the best performers followed by annual plantings of cilantro and chervil. Mixed lettuce and greens that I planted in October also came through well, including arugua and spinach. Some left over scallions and turnips from last fall survived but not in great condition.

We had nice sunny days the last week and though the nights were cold, the seeds I planted (spinach, peas, broccoli raab, parsley, radish, etc.) are germinating well. I can't wait to see the first asparagus -- a great addition to the hoop house beds!

As dethride noted, moles and/or voles are making an mess, tunnelling everywhere. I suspect it's mostly moles since they seem to be leaving the plants alone. This is the first time in my hoop house experience of having this problem. Any suggestions for deterring them?