7Enigma
Well-Known Member
So I had posted a question regarding what to use for my stake in a very limited space. I can't do the teepee tent structure because I just don't have the room. I wanted a sturdy long pole to be able to support the plant as it grows and had several suggestions offered:
1. PVC pipe
2. wooden stake
3. rebar
4. galvanized steel pipe
So I went to Home Depot yesterday to scout out the possibilities. I first went to see the PVC pipe and was immediately turned off. Not only would it require painting to not look like a sore thumb, but unless I went with a wide diameter, there was just too much flex once you got over about 5 feet. So that was out.
Next I checked out some wood, but it wasn't very cheap and they didn't have anything over 10 feet that could support the hop plant (most just trim or large pieces that would be very expensive and difficult to anchor, not to mention rot). So that was out.
Next I found the rebar (they had a 10' section for really cheap, like $5). Unfortunately this was the flimsiest of all. It flexed so much I wouldn't use it for anything over a foot or two (which is what its normally used for in concrete/etc.). So that was completely out.
So next I saw the metal pipes. I found a 1.5" pipe and picked it up. It was 10' in length and had very little flex to it. It was also only $10 or so. I asked the worker if they had longer lengths and he said no, but then asked its use. I'm glad I asked him because he mentioned to me that these were not for outdoor use and that I had to go to the garden center for galvanized pipe (these would have turned orange in a single storm).
So I went outside and found the same pipe (but galvanized) in the garden center. Again it was only 10' tall which had me dissapointed. I figure I would need to bury at least 3' to guarantee it wouldn't move if bumped/heavy rain. That would only leave about 7' for growth which wasn't acceptable for me since people recommend at least 10-12' for the vine to grow on.
So as I was about to leave I noticed there were 2 identical diameter pipes and wondered why they were in different racks. Turns out at the very top one of them had a tapered end where you could put a base on (they sold the bases right next to the pipes). I looked at this pipe and smiled. This was the PERFECT piece.
So I bought 2 of these and headed home. One will be for out front, and the other for out back. I dug a 3-3.5' very narrow hole and inserted the pole with the tapered end at the top. I then put a bucket of wet sand I had lying around in the hole and used a sledge hammer to tamp down the sand. Then I added 1/2 bucket at a time of dirt and tamped down to really secure the pole. Finally I added the remaining dirt and mulch and lightly packed with my hands (I didn't want it to be really compact since I want the rhizomes to easily get some roots going).
When I stood next to my handiwork the pole is about 3' above my head (I'm a bit over 6'). It also feels secure and should get better with a couple days of rest as the dirt continues to settle.
Here's the best part:
Once the hop plant grows to about 7' tall, because the top is tapered I can simply go back to HD and buy another 5' piece of pipe and put that on top of the current piece (they will cut to any length). This will give me a good 12' of height when needed, and during the winter months I can just remove the extension and use it as a flag pole or bird house (or just remove it altogether though I would prefer not to have to put it back in the spring).
So for about $15 you can have a very sturdy, variable height support for the hop plant that doesn't look that bad (you could easily paint it if the metal color annoys you), in a limited space.
I'll post up some pics once I (hopefully) get the shipment of Nugget hops from freshops.
Thanks for everyone's advice and HTH those of you in a similar situation looking for a support.
justin
1. PVC pipe
2. wooden stake
3. rebar
4. galvanized steel pipe
So I went to Home Depot yesterday to scout out the possibilities. I first went to see the PVC pipe and was immediately turned off. Not only would it require painting to not look like a sore thumb, but unless I went with a wide diameter, there was just too much flex once you got over about 5 feet. So that was out.
Next I checked out some wood, but it wasn't very cheap and they didn't have anything over 10 feet that could support the hop plant (most just trim or large pieces that would be very expensive and difficult to anchor, not to mention rot). So that was out.
Next I found the rebar (they had a 10' section for really cheap, like $5). Unfortunately this was the flimsiest of all. It flexed so much I wouldn't use it for anything over a foot or two (which is what its normally used for in concrete/etc.). So that was completely out.
So next I saw the metal pipes. I found a 1.5" pipe and picked it up. It was 10' in length and had very little flex to it. It was also only $10 or so. I asked the worker if they had longer lengths and he said no, but then asked its use. I'm glad I asked him because he mentioned to me that these were not for outdoor use and that I had to go to the garden center for galvanized pipe (these would have turned orange in a single storm).
So I went outside and found the same pipe (but galvanized) in the garden center. Again it was only 10' tall which had me dissapointed. I figure I would need to bury at least 3' to guarantee it wouldn't move if bumped/heavy rain. That would only leave about 7' for growth which wasn't acceptable for me since people recommend at least 10-12' for the vine to grow on.
So as I was about to leave I noticed there were 2 identical diameter pipes and wondered why they were in different racks. Turns out at the very top one of them had a tapered end where you could put a base on (they sold the bases right next to the pipes). I looked at this pipe and smiled. This was the PERFECT piece.
So I bought 2 of these and headed home. One will be for out front, and the other for out back. I dug a 3-3.5' very narrow hole and inserted the pole with the tapered end at the top. I then put a bucket of wet sand I had lying around in the hole and used a sledge hammer to tamp down the sand. Then I added 1/2 bucket at a time of dirt and tamped down to really secure the pole. Finally I added the remaining dirt and mulch and lightly packed with my hands (I didn't want it to be really compact since I want the rhizomes to easily get some roots going).
When I stood next to my handiwork the pole is about 3' above my head (I'm a bit over 6'). It also feels secure and should get better with a couple days of rest as the dirt continues to settle.
Here's the best part:
Once the hop plant grows to about 7' tall, because the top is tapered I can simply go back to HD and buy another 5' piece of pipe and put that on top of the current piece (they will cut to any length). This will give me a good 12' of height when needed, and during the winter months I can just remove the extension and use it as a flag pole or bird house (or just remove it altogether though I would prefer not to have to put it back in the spring).
So for about $15 you can have a very sturdy, variable height support for the hop plant that doesn't look that bad (you could easily paint it if the metal color annoys you), in a limited space.
I'll post up some pics once I (hopefully) get the shipment of Nugget hops from freshops.
Thanks for everyone's advice and HTH those of you in a similar situation looking for a support.
justin