Making a cloche!

[selfraising]

Hi
I had this insane idea to have a go at making my own cloche for my raised beds. I have the hoops but now I'm not sure what to do next. Do I use one long sheet of plastic, in which case how do I get at the plants that need attention or cropping and how do I best fix it to the hoops? Or do I fix sections of plastic sheeting between hoops.

[Glutton4...]

I've been contemplating this one myself. I guess they need to be removable to allow access to the plants, but I haven't come up with any brainwaves yet. Will post again if I do.

[snuffer]

Just an idea. You can join the span between the hoops at the top of the hoops with a batten of timber or something and perhaps at the base of the hoops on each of the longer sides of the cloche (if you know what I mean). That will allow you to lift and move the cloche so that you can get to what is growing underneath. Then take a rectangle of good strong, clear plastic sheet to form the top and side with (like a small tunnel Together with two semi-circles for the ends. Use Tie-wraps (big cable ties) to fasten the plastic sheeting to the hoops (you'd have to make small holes in the plastic to pass the tie-wraps through).

Wish I could draw a picture of what I mean but that's the best I can do with words. Hope it makes sense.

[Norburger]

You could try using some fixing tape that you repair poly tunnels with and fix it from underneath as the plastic goes over the top of each hoop. you end up with a set of hoops you can consertina up to get access to what you need.

Was looking for a picture as I have seen one recently but not coming to me tonight !

[coomber]

on my home made cloches I use 1 peice of polythene and fix in place using pegs - its easy to remove and replace

[Stacey Steve]

I have put my design up now many times but I use water pipe hoops using canes as pegs for the tupe to plug onto. A cane is cable tied along the tops of the hoops for stability.

What ever covering you want (I use some of netting or fleece) fix ribs of canes and at each edge a wooden batten.

The cover goes over the hoops and is fixed along the top risge cane.

When you need to get into the cloche, just rill up the cover from whatever side you want.

The ribs stop the fabric from drooping in between the hoops.

[Snadger]

If you erect your hoops and cover with polthene you can then stretch string over each hoop to tighten the polythene.

The string can be either indivvidually pegged at each hoop footing or fastened to the hoop base by a small hole or piece of timber fastened on...or even a length of timber running the whole length at each bottom.

It is then an easy matter to slide the polythene up between the hoop and string to do what you have to do then slide it back into position!

[selfraising]

Thanks very much for all the advice
I may have to print some of this off or I'm not gonna remember, brain like a sieve I may make a start tomorrow but will be back if I get stuck. I think I must be a bit of a visual learner cos I find it difficult to follow written instructions, but I'm going to have a go anyway!!!!