Frost Protection for Early Planting

First we wait for a break in the weather; then, we wait for the earliest we can start seeds indoors; next as soon as we have beds ready for planting we can't wait to get those seedlings safely planted out in the garden.......... during spring, in spite of all else we are doing, we are eagerly awaitng that day when we can get our seeds and seedlings planted.  My tomato seedlings are in 3 inch cups and quickly outgrowing them, both they and I want them to get transplanted outdoors.  So I have constructed a simple cover to protect the tender plants from any late frost.

 Using 1" x 10' pvc tubing bends easily to fit inside the raised bed frame.

PVC tubing set into raised bed frame and pushed down into the soil as deep as possible.

Set one 1" x 10' pvc tube on top of "hoops" and fasten with wire.

Measure 1' intervals on each of 4 sides of raised bed.



I placed cedar shims at each of the markings; this is how the bed will
be divided into 40 SF plant areas.

The next step will be to cover the hoops with either plastic sheet.