I had my eye on some 1/2 inch metal conduit going for $5 for a 10 foot length. I figured this would make a decent height of hoop for determinate tomatoes and squash - for a single row. I've been warned that the cover has to come off in winter, or the snow load will just mash up this weight of metal here. I'd like to design some modular units that can be joined in a longer row and then taken apart and stacked in a shed for winter.
Thought about doing part plastic and part row cover - maybe find an optimal cover for the climate here.
Re: squash bug, Scott you should check out the thread on parthenocarpic squash. It would be fantastic to ID the varieties that will reliably make fruit without pollination, for places where you want to keep that cover in place for pest control. And or when it's just too cool for pollinators. (well, I can dream!
)