Hoop House Extends Growing Season

A hoop house, a semi-permanent structure similar to a greenhouse, allows gardeners to keep plants and vegetables growing even throughout the winter.
Unlike a greenhouse a hoop house is constructed from more affordable materials: PVC, metal piping, wood, and heavy duty plastic.
The hoop house uses natural sunlight to trap heat and create an ideal environment for growing plants.
Sustainable lifestyle coordinator with the Illinois Renewable Energy Association, Lin Vogl has experimented with hoop houses and teaches gardeners how to construct their own.
Of its benefits Vogl said, "It helps cut down food costs, you get fresh greens, you know where they're coming from.  They're more nutritional I think we all know than getting something that's been shipped."