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First off, I take zero credit for the idea. Low tunnels have been used by gardeners and commercial growers since forever.

50”x16’ cattle panels (the size that I use) are going for $29.99 at the local farm-n-home store.

A four-panel arch is ~16’ long. The span on mine is 9’6”. That dimension is where it landed based on the height that I wanted - tall enough to walk inside without bending over, and short enough to pick beans from underneath without straining to reach them. If both ends of the arch panels were set on top of fence panels the span would likely stretch out to 12’, maybe a bit more. Both ends on the ground spans 8’, and you have to bend over to go in. I see a lot of them built that way, but bending over is unfriendly to my back so I avoid it to the extent that I’m able.

Simple, cheap, and functional was the goal. If it gets covered in snow to the point that it starts to sag - a couple good shakes should cause most of that to slide off.

I found a nice sack of morels yesterday. Not the motherload by any stretch of the imagination - three-ish skillets worth maybe. Still waiting for my good spots to pop. That should happen by the end of the week.

It's something I should have already done. I have arched pipe to build a high tunnel but there's a ton of work and cost still involved to get to the point of a finished tunnel. It's been on the To Do list for years because I keep finding more important things to put that effort and money into. Meanwhile, I could have and should have just built some low tunnels to have some sort of covered growing area.

Likewise, I could have built something across the front of the house, using cattle panels and plastic sheeting. Something like this;

There are four front windows that would end up inside a lean-to like this. On certain days, I could open the windows around mid morning and take the chill off inside. We had a lean-to greenhouse before and did that. Kept the greenhouse from getting too hot for a while too.

I've also got most of the pipes leftover from one of these that I could do something with, probably the lean-to.

Should do something instead of waiting to build the big fancy high tunnel that will take weeks and four digit cost. As they say, something is better than nothing.

Even this;

Augie, thanks! Its a great starting point for low cost fall/spring hoop house. Since it uses plastic, you probably would not want to try to overwinter plants in it, use it to protect against frost

I searched around a bit and here is someone who made a hog panel green house.

Double Wall Hoop House

He talks about the success and problems with this design which is good to know in advance.

Part of his problem might be orientation of the green house and lack of protection on the north/northwest side.

If Diane places hers against the house, that would reduce air infiltration. Provide a little heat and covers trays with garden fabric on cold days that would probably allow it to function ok in early spring. (With the occasional use of space heater.)