The Best USA-Made Greenhouse Kits

Bootstrap Farmer Greenhouse kits protect your valuable crops and provide them with the ideal growing environment without the need to bend your own hoops or get any other supplies from the store. Our kits have everything you need to build your greenhouse. 

Choose from a couple of different styles. We offer traditional round hoop style kits in 14’ and 20’ widths as well as our newly engineered 30' round. Gothic style hoop houses are also available in three widths 11’ 4”, 14’ and 20’. All of our hoop house kits come with free shipping within the contiguous 48 states and are manufactured in the USA. They also come with optional add-ons and greenhouse accessories to fully customize your growing experience. 

We take pride in our customer support. When you order a greenhouse kit from us, we are there for you 7 days a week via email, chat, phone, and text. We also guide you with written instructions and video tutorials to help with any questions you have along the way. Are you interested in funding your kit with an NRCS grant? We can help with that too.

If you are planning to use an NRCS grant, there will be restrictions on how you can grow and what you are allowed to do. Plants grown in an NRCS funded tunnel must be grown in-ground or in raised beds no more than 12" high. NRCS grants do not allow for hoop house high tunnels to be used for livestock housing or equipment storage. The program is funded by money earmarked for soil conservation and improvement. Be sure to read through the information we have gathered here on Applying for an NRCS High Tunnel Grant.

Important Things to Consider Before Buying a Hoop House Greenhouse

Are you looking to expand production into a bigger, better-growing space? Or are you wondering if a hoop house is worth adding to your operation? Are you trying to decide if this is the direction you want to take your farm? Are you worried about your skill level? We are here to walk you through all of your options, answer many of your questions, and present you with some you may not have known to think about. 

Not all hoop house greenhouse kits are created equal. One difference in kits we see frequently is that some include all of the hip boards and baseboards, while others expect you to provide that at your build site. Our kits include all of the hardware you will need; nuts, bolts, screws, washers, and the like, while some kits will expect you to purchase all of these locally. 

Our All-Metal kits use 16 gauge galvanized USA-made steel with Flo-Coat® added for extra resistance to rusting. There are plenty of kits on the market that use a lighter gauge of metal that ultimately isn't as capable of withstanding the elements. 

Look at the different options you want and make sure that any kits you are comparing have all the options you need. Many companies, like us, will provide you with resources to help with your decision-making. Know before you order what, if anything, you will need to purchase locally to complete the build.* 

*DUE TO SUPPLY CHAIN ISSUES AND RAPIDLY FLUCTUATING PRICES BUYING SUPPLIES LOCALLY FOR BUILDING MAY BE FAR MORE EXPENSIVE THAN EXPECTED.

Take into account the cost of any locally purchased items as well as the value of your time and labor when comparing the price of various kits. With the current supply chain issues and shortages, we recommend that you ensure local access to any items you need before ordering. There is nothing worse than holding up an entire build for want of a few nuts and bolts.  

Tools required to build a hoop house kit.

You will need to plan ahead to have tools that are necessary on hand and to have the knowledge to use them safely. Tools we recommend having for the build:

• Safety gear, goggles, gloves, etc. 
• Battery-powered drills and impact drivers
• Extra batteries and chargers 
• Extension cords
• Drill bits
• Socket set and wrenches
• Hack saw or reciprocating saw
• Tape measures; ideally at least one that will measure the entire length of your structure. 
• Levels; a line level and magnetic levels will both come in handy
• Ground post driver
• Sledgehammer/double jack
• Single jack/3 pound hammer (a smaller sledgehammer with a handle under two feet in length)
• Clamps 
• Mason line
• Center punch
• Magnetic sweeper or telescoping magnet 

We have put together this additional list of tools for the ones listed above you may not already have with links on where to purchase. If you have ordered a kit from us, some of the bits and drivers you will need are included. When there are multiple people helping you with multiple drills, it is always nice to have an additional set of these specialized bits available. This way you can work through certain steps faster without having only one person able to complete a particular task.  

On a build this big, things will get misplaced, bits will get worn or broken. We recommend always having extras to avoid a hold-up in your build. 

Is it cheaper to build your own greenhouse?

Backyard greenhouses have been erected from all different types of materials, depending on what the grower has available on their farm. One of our flagship projects as a company was to create DIY kits that come with many of the needed supplies while leaving out the items that could be found locally. Unlike our All-Metal Greenhouse kits, these do not qualify for NRCS funding.

Each one of our DIY includes:

• Spring Lock Wire (also known as Wiggle Wire) 
• Lock Channel for plastic attachment. 
• 6 mil Greenhouse Plastic - fits entire greenhouse including end walls
• Ground Post Driver
• Cross Connectors for 1 3/8" x 1 3/8" Arch to Ridge Pole
• Nuts, Bolts, Screws & Connectors for the frame and poles
• Lumber and conduit poles are not included.
• Greenhouse Building Instructions 

Build requires a hoop bender- not included for cost savings as many buy multiple kits.

If you intend to build a DIY High Tunnel Greenhouse Kit, please check availability with your local suppliers ahead of time to ensure you will be able to purchase all of the items you need. Confirm with the supplier that the items are not back-ordered, some stores will allow you to order only to find that it will take 8 or more weeks for your items to arrive. Lumber choices may be limited by location. Redwood, cedar, or pressure-treated are the best choices for any structure that will be exposed to moisture.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO BUILD YOUR HOOP HOUSE?

The short answer is at least a month before you plan to need it. We field a lot of calls from people who are frantic to get their hoop house kit delivered because they want to start using it next week. To be honest this is an unreasonable expectation to put on yourself and anyone who is helping you. If at all possible take weather into consideration when scheduling your build. Building an outdoor structure in the hottest month of the year or during a rainstorm is far less than ideal. 

As we mentioned in these articles on shipping and shopping; lead times for delivery of greenhouse kits can be significantly extended in the middle of the busy season (January-April). Planning ahead for ordering, shipping, building, and possible delays will make your build smoother, better, and far less stressful. 

What is the best greenhouse to buy for me?

Comparison shopping is always a good idea when you are getting ready to make any large purchase and choosing the right greenhouse kit is no exception. As you go through and compare, make sure you are truly looking at comparable things. Review resources available from suppliers and online to help you decide what add-ons you may need. 

• Buy from a supplier with a good reputation
• Make sure the kit you are buying has all the accessories you need to be included in the quote
• Take shipping and labor costs into account when you compare prices

All Metal Caterpillar Tunnel with Butterfly Doors

A great low-cost start-up option for farmers and growers is Bootstrap Farmer's caterpillar tunnel kit. Bootstrap Farmer’s take on the caterpillar tunnel, includes butterfly doors with a clamshell design that is easy to operate. These unique doors eliminate the need to bunch loose plastic at the ends and the constant tying and untying from the stake. 

CATERPILLAR TUNNELS ALLOW YOU TO:

• Fall plant cool season annuals for early flower production
• Protect early Spring greens for first-to-market possibilities
• Extend harvests into the heat of the Summer with added shade cloth
• Add degrees of protection in late Fall for cold hardy crops
• Warm the ground for early planting of summer market favorites like tomatoes, cucumbers and melons
• Release and contain beneficial insects for pest control
• Protect delicate flowers and produce from hail or rain

Gothic Style All Metal Kits

Here at Bootstrap Farmer, we offer gothic-style hoop house kits for those in northern climates or high altitudes where increased snow load is a concern. The pointed roof deflects snow far more efficiently than traditional hoop house style greenhouses. The shape of a gothic hoop house also means increased air mass within the same footprint. This means more heat retention without having to add square footage on the ground. Check out this helpful video that goes over what air mass is and how the benefits of its insulating properties have been a driving force for the creation of our Gothic kits. 

Round Style All Metal Kits

The classic greenhouse style for which all “hoop houses” are named. The smooth arc of our 14’ and 20’ wide round hoop houses is excellent at deflecting high winds even without the available extra wind bracing. 

Round hoop style builds are one of simplest structures to assemble. Essentially the same few steps repeated for each hoop quickly constructs a surprisingly sturdy structure that will last your farm for many, many years to come. 

30’ Round All Metal Kits 

We updated our classic all-steel hoop house offering to now include a 30’ option for the serious grower!  This is our largest available Texas-made greenhouse kit option and is available in (20', 40' ,60' ,80' ,100') lengths (Length can be customized) and stands 15.5’ on center. This design is engineered for superior strength and performance. This kit comes with everything you will need for the build and the quality you have come to expect from Bootstrap Farmer. 

GREENHOUSE KIT DIMENSIONS

How do I know what add-ons I need for my greenhouse?

Depending on what you plan to grow and the weather where you are, you may need very different customizations to your hoop house kit. The first things we ask anyone who calls in looking to purchase a greenhouse:

• How big do you want your greenhouse kit to be?
• Where are you located? 
• What are the wind and snow loads like in your area?
• What is your growing zone?
• What are you planning to grow?  
• Hybrids or open-pollinated crops?
• Do you have easy access to utilities on-site; water, power, etc?
• Will you be driving machinery into your hoop house?

These are the most important factors for deciding what additional items you will need to budget for when purchasing a kit. 

Greenhouse Doors

Most of our all-metal greenhouse kits come standard with a 36" door on one end and a solid endwall on the other. The exception to this is our 30’ round kit which comes standard with a 72” door on one end and a solid end wall on the other. All of our doors are 84.5” tall.

There are multiple options to upgrade the doors on your greenhouse. We offer add ons that convert the existing door to:  

• A 72" door for easier access with a wheelbarrow, tools and machinery. 
• Add an additional 36" door to the opposite end for increased through access and cross ventilation. 
• Add 72” double doors to both ends for drive-through ability, easy workflow, and extra ventilation.
• Keep the original 36” door on one end and add a 72” door to the other end wall for the best of both worlds.   

Shade Cloth for Greenhouses

If you live in a climate where Summer temps reach into the 100's, you will need shade cloth. Shade cloth is available in both white and black and is recommended for many plants, flowers, vegetables in a greenhouse or garden. Interested in learning more? Check out our Guide to Using Shade Cloth. 

Ventilation Fans and Shutters

Exhaust fans and intake shutters can be installed to help regulate temperature and humidity inside your structure. Circulation fans can be used in conjunction with ventilation or on their own to keep air moving around your plants when vents are closed to conserve heat. 

Roll Up Sides for Hoop Houses

Adding the optional roll up sides is great for added ventilation, preventing fungal growth, and increasing crop strength. Roll up sides are also essential for pollinator access if you will be growing heirloom crops and other open-pollinated varieties. 

Insect Netting as a Tool to Improve Greenhouse Growing

If you are growing crops that are susceptible to thrips, spider mites, or aphids, you will want to add insect netting to cover the rollup sides. Insect netting works as a screen for the “window” that is your roll up side. It works best with crops that do not require insect pollination. However, insect netting can also be used to contain beneficial insects within a hoop house. To learn more about this important tool for greenhouse growing check out this article about Insect Netting for Pest Protection in our Building a Greenhouse Blog. 

If you choose to add insect netting you will need an additional set of spring wire to attach the netting in the lock channel at the hip and baseboards of your structure. Be sure to order enough sections of wire to clever the length of your hoop house times 4. There is a handy chart to help with this process on our spring wire listing. 

Landscape Fabric for Weed Suppression and Plastic Protection

We highly recommend adding landscape fabric to at least the perimeter of your hoop house build. Placing either our 4’ wide white or 6’ wide black landscape fabric down before sinking your ground posts prevents weed growth at the edges. This keeps you from having to use a mower or string trimmer too near to the plastic where you may risk damaging the plastic covering. 

For covering only the perimeter one 250’ roll of landscape fabric is enough unless your hoop house kit is over 100’ in length. You will need enough landscape fabric pins to place one every 18” to suppress weeds effectively. For a 20’ x 100’ a box of 500 should be plenty.

If you are planning to line the entire interior of your greenhouse as weed suppression for a hydroponic or pot-based system you will need to calculate enough fabric for the square footage of your structure with an overlap of 12” on both sides of each length.

Check out Hoop House Flooring Options to learn more about using landscape fabric as your base.

Double Layer Inflation Kit

Greenhouse inflation kits create an insulating layer of air between a double layer of poly plastic. This helps to reduce condensation and conserve the heat inside of the hoop house. 

The second layer of greenhouse plastic is installed with lock channel and spring wire. The space between the two layers of plastic is filled with air using a simple air pump and outside air. Filling the space with air creates a pocket of insulation. This pocket of air acts as a barrier between the warmer air within your hoop house and the cooler air outdoors. Read more about adding a double layer in this article. 

Extra Bracing

If you live in an area with high winds or snow loads, you may need additional purlins, truss kits or a corner bracing kit.  All of our large greenhouse kits, the 30’ wide All-Metal kits, come with purlins, trusses, and corner bracing included. Our Gothic style kits in 14’ and 20’ widths include purlins and corner bracing. Purlins and corner bracing are available as add ons to all of our other All-Metal kits. Small greenhouse kits like the 11'4" Gothic do not require additional bracing.

Want to learn more about building a greenhouse? Check out our greenhouse blogs or watch our latest video series Hoop House 101. 

Need help ordering? Email contact@blessingsgrowmeadows.com.