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Small poly tunnel type cloche

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  • #1

    Small poly tunnel type cloche

    I've seen a couple of clips on Youtube, of DIY type cloches, made like a small poly tunnel.

    Basically a timber frame is constructed, say 2m x 1.2m, then brackets are fitted, into which hoops of conduit or plastic pipes are fitted. A plastic sheet is fitted to this and secured in place. It's then just a matter of lifting the cloche for access, then putting it back into position again.

    It seems a great little 'piece of kit' ... But Is it ???

    I suppose storage may be a problem if you have a few of these and don't want to use them in the summer.

    As a kid, the original cloches were fancy set ups, with numerous glass panes for each one, then the roofing plastic circular cloche came out and everybody thought these were the best things since sliced bread.

    Would a large 'walk-in' poly tunnel be better maybe, than several smaller cloche sized units?

    Thank you for any advice given.
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  • #2
    Originally posted by wbmkk View Post
    I've seen a couple of clips on Youtube, of DIY type cloches, made like a small poly tunnel.
    ...
    It seems a great little 'piece of kit' ... But Is it ???

    I suppose storage may be a problem if you have a few of these and don't want to use them in the summer.

    As a kid, the original cloches were fancy set ups, with numerous glass panes for each one, then the roofing plastic circular cloche came out and everybody thought these were the best things since sliced bread.
    Less likely to get broken. Or if they do get broken you are less likely to end up needing stitches.
    I suspect the DIY is the 'cheaper' or 'designed to fit your bed' equivalent. Plus you can potentially swap the plastic for enviromesh later in the year for carots or to keep the flippin' butterlies off.

    Would a large 'walk-in' poly tunnel be better maybe, than several smaller cloche sized units?
    In my opinion the two are not the same.

    You should use a Cloche/ColdFrame for:
    • Warming the soil to get an earlier start
    • Protecting seedlings from wind & rain (& snow!)
    • Protecting seedlings from birds and rodents
    • Low growing plants (i.e. not tomatoes etc)
    • Plants that grow in soil rather than in grow bags etc

    You should use a Green house/Poly Tunnel for:
    • Starting seedlings off (preferably warmed)
    • Plants that grow too tall for a Cloche
    • Plants that will never grow well outdoors (Think peppers, chili, etc - they can be grown outside but you'd do far better in a greenhouse).
    • Being able to weed without reoving the entire cover so keeping more heat in.


    There is some overlap and you could use either for:
    • Starting seedlings off depending how warm you need it
    • Plants that start small but grow big but can be transplanted - e.g. some tomatoes


    My biggest issue with a cloche is they help weeds grow too. My biggest issue with a tunnel is you can't move it where you want it.

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