I really like that raised bed idea. So quick, simple and inexpensive.

What do you use for soil block mix? I tried once. couldn't get it to work

Fast, cheap and easy, that's my motto. :)

... you mean use chunks of pipe to stake up the sides AND hold the hoops for the row cover?

That is GENIUS! And I can add them without having to dismantle the existing structure. I'm gonna steal that idea, OK?

Yes, that's the idea. A heck of a team we are! plus, the conduit won't rot. the wooden stakes from the big boxes always get punky and break after one season.

I'm going to switch from PVC to EMT conduit so I don't have to worry about PVC degrading grenhouse plastic.

Soil block mix ... roughly 2 parts potting soil (sifted to get the chunks out) and 1 part coir (got it as a brick, watered it to fluff it back up). Mix thoroughly and then wet with about 30% by volume of water (2 parts of mix, one part of water or diluted fertilizer).

The trick is to let it sit 24-48 hours to really hydrate the coir fibers. It should be soggy, like thick oatmeal. And compress the heck out of it when you make the blocks. I lean on it until water comes out of the top of the press, then mash it down into more mix until the blocks are filled.

I use a broad spatula (drywall knife) to separate the blocks a bit, drop a seed into each, mist it and stick the tray into a plastic bag or clear plastic box.

I'm using it and the "minis" to get seedlings to the first true leaf or even just well-sprouted seed leaves. Then I plant them out in the raised bed.

I'm watering just by misting the tops with a laundry sprayer, keeping them in teensy little greenhouses under the lights until they sprout. I use a tiny spatula (I think it was a painter's palette knife) to lift out the ones that are ready to plant out, stick the rest back under the lights.

When January comes, I'll be starting chilis, which will need moving up to the larger soil blocks

Thanks..I'm going have to try it again. I have all that stuff on hand. I had the micro-20. they were way too small for my clumsy fingers. I might order the mini-4 or mini-5.

I've seen those hoop houses made by sticking rebar into the ground (you can buy it in 1-2 ft pieces) and slipping PVC pipe over those.

I'll have to post a pic of my little cold frame. I plant kale, turnip and mustard greens in a flat in August and plant them out in Sept-Oct. The frame is 2x3 ft. and I try to plant them densely in that size footprint. When it gets down below freezing I drop the portable cold frame over it. Usually have tasty greens till Christmas at least. Great in salads and omelets. It freezes here (usually 0 F at least once) so it doesn't usually last till spring. It's really fun to peek at it when I go out in the dark evenings to bring in wood for the stove. Sometimes I sneak a leaf on the way past and it tastes so peppery and sweet that it gives you hope that you can survive till spring.

In the spring I'll plant lettuce and radishes in it early and just lift it off when it starts to get hot outside. For two people you can get an amazing amount of lettuce, and before your friends have any.

Yeah, I've use a little rebar. but, I can get EMT a lot cheaper. Plus I have a phobia of impaling myself or my tire on rebar-even though i painted and flagged each pin I used. Can't explain why, but I'm not as scared of EMT.

I have rebar caps ...