Monday, September 15, 2025

What to Grow and Where You Grow Matters

Are you trying to figure out which hoop house size will work best for your garden?

Not sure how your climate—or your favorite crops—might influence your setup?

When it comes to choosing a hoop house, there’s more to think about than just dimensions. The types of crops you want to grow and the region you live in both play a huge role in determining the right size and structure.

Let’s walk through how your crop list and local weather conditions should guide your hoop house planning.

What Do You Want to Grow?

The type of crops you plan to grow can significantly impact the size you’ll need. 

  • Tomatoes need about 4 square feet per plant, especially if you're staking or trellising them.
  • Bunching greens like kale or swiss chard prefer to have around 2 square feet per plant.
  • Head vegetables like lettuce or pac choi are compact and only need around a square foot per plant, making them great space-savers.
  • Peppers need about 2 square feet per plant.
  • Cucumbers, especially if you trellis them, need around 2 to 3 square feet per plant.
  • Root vegetables can be tightly planted and work well in smaller beds.

If you plan to grow a mix of crops—or want to leave room for crop rotation and succession planting—consider adding an extra 25–35% more space than the minimum. A little extra room now gives you more flexibility later.

Where Are You Growing? 
Hoop houses built by Nifty Hoops positioned before a sunset

Your local climate will also affect the ideal hoop house size. In colder regions, a larger hoop house helps retain heat, which can be essential for early spring or late fall growing. In warmer zones, you may not need the extra space for heat retention, but you’ll need to prioritize ventilation to keep plants from overheating.

The more you can tailor your hoop house to your local environment, the more successful your growing season will be.


Learn more about planning ahead for your hoop house in our latest article


Optimize Your Space by Planning Ahead with a Hoop House

A successful growing season starts with smart planning. By thinking through what you’ll grow, and where, you can choose a hoop house that meets your needs now and gives you room to expand in the future.

Need help matching a hoop house to your crops and climate?

We’d love to help you design a setup that works with your space, goals, and growing conditions.

Let’s bring your garden goals to life—reach out today! 🌱

Monday, September 1, 2025

Thinking About Starting a Hoop House? Here's What You Need to Know First

Are you dreaming of homegrown tomatoes, crisp lettuce, and vibrant peppers just steps from your kitchen?

Curious about how much space you’ll need—or which hoop house size is right for your growing goals?

Starting your hoop house journey is exciting but knowing where to begin can feel overwhelming.

What Are Your Growing Goals? 

Hoop house made in Michigan by Nifty Hoops supporting local farmers
If you're growing food for your family or experimenting with season extension, our 16-foot-wide hoop house is a great entry point. It's ideal for smaller garden plots or backyard spaces but still provides room
for serious production, especially with proper planning and crop rotation.

If you’re looking to grow a wider variety of crops, a 22.5-foot-wide hoop house gives you more space, without being overwhelming. It’s perfect for hobby farmers or those looking to supply friends, family, or a small CSA.

For growers interested in scaling up for market sales, restaurants, or larger community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs, our 30-foot-wide models provide the volume and versatility needed to grow efficiently and maximize your harvest. These hoop houses retain heat better than narrower structures, and can support large planting areas, walkways, and multiple growing zones.


Learn more about things to consider when selecting what to grow in your hoop house here


Ready to Take the First Step Toward a More Abundant Garden?

Starting your hoop house journey is more than just picking a size—it's about creating a space that supports your goals and lifestyle. With the right setup, you can enjoy a longer growing season, higher yields, and the satisfaction of knowing exactly where your food comes from.

Let’s build something that grows with you.

Winter High Tunnel Gardening

Are you looking for ways to keep your garden producing even when the Midwest winter sets in?  Curious how some growers are able to harvest f...