Winter Sowers are so CLEVER!

 Our friend Tazdevyl from NJ, inspired by an idea from her Pa, TazdevlyDad, has created an Umbrella Hoophouse that simply and cheaply protects several flats at the same time. The method uses dollar store umbrellas and a plastic dropcloth. 
WinterSown gratefully thanks Tazdevyl for sharing the photos and instructions for the Umbrella HoopHouse. Please give TazdevlyDad a hug and kiss from us too!

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Centaurea cyanus ~ Bachelor Buttons, Cornflowers
Materials you will need ~ A few Umbrellas from the dollar store, the larger the better. A Hammer. A Dropcloth. Duct Tape

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For best viewing click on any thumbnail image to expand it to full size. 

Take an Umbrella And take material off. Mine were easy to do since the top came off. Then cut around the endcaps that are on the spokes.
Take an Umbrella.
And take material off. Mine were easy to do since the top came off. Then cut around the endcaps that are on the spokes.
Put endcaps back on with duct tape, so you don't get poked in the eye.
Tazdevyl, "That process takes maybe 15-30 minutes, depending on how many umbrellas you have."
Put endcaps back on with duct tape, so you don't get poked in the eye.
Before Picture. For me, I obviously had to take the cover off.

BEFORE picture.

For me, I obviously had to take the cover off:
Break off curved part of handle. Take umbrella and hammer into ground. Close-up view.
Break off curved part of handle. Take umbrella and hammer into ground.
Close-up View.
For mine, we used four umbrellas. For my umbrellas, we could take the tops off, so if you can do it with yours...do so.
For mine, we used four umbrellas.
For my umbrellas, we could take the tops off, so if you can do it with yours...do so.
Now take the dropcloth and place it over the tops of the umbrellas and cap it with the piece taken off. There's no need to punch a hole into the plastic, just twist it on.
Tazdevyl, " Now just roll up excess and place heavy objects. Or do like I did, and use your jugs, and pots.

I didnt have to add ventilation slits in mine as they were already there."
 
(See BEFORE picture.)

Now take the dropcloth and place it over the tops of the umbrellas and cap it with the piece taken off.  There's no need to punch a hole into the plastic, just twist it on.
FINISHED Project. Side view.
FINISHED Project.
Side View.

See more creative containers and Winter Sowing photos at:

Photos on this page by:
Tazdevyl of NJ and TazdevlyDad
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