Poor man's cloche

[catjac1975]

Here is a system that I have been using for many years. Two cedar tree posts. wire strung between, a soaker hose, and a sheet of clear plastic tented over the wire. I prepare the soil, plant my seedlings. (Squashes shown.) The sides of the plastic are buried to hold them in place. This will hold unless you have extreme wind. I will keep this on until the end of May , lifting once or twice for weeding. My plants will be ready to bear fruit shortly after. I will plants seeds in a few weeks, and again in the middle of July. I get 3 consecutive planting in to keep us in squash all season. Easy and cheap.

 

[thistlebloom]

That looks like a good system Cat. I had a couple little hoopies last year, but I'll need more this year. I think I'll give your method a go, then I won't have to buy more pipe.

I'm very impressed with the size of that black and gold sprout you have there

 

[digitS']

I have been hoping that. .

. we would be able to see some of your garden, Cat .

Thank you for posting the pictures.

Steve

 

[catjac1975]

I have been hoping that. .

. we would be able to see some of your garden, Cat .

Thank you for posting the pictures.

Steve

It's mostly just compost and seed. I'll photograph the greenhouse when the grandkids are sleeping.

 

[chris09]

cat,
Dont let you wife see what you did to her close line.
I used a set up like that a few times to get extra early green beans, they work great.


Chris

 

[catjac1975]

cat,
Dont let you wife see what you did to her close line.
I used a set up like that a few times to get extra early green beans, they work great.


Chris

I'm the wife-that's old wire.
Cathy

 

[catjac1975]

Here are the squash that I planted in my cloche. The last image is the size of my direct sown squash plants.

mg]http://www.theeasygarden.com/forum/uploads/7100_squash_3.jpg[/img]

 

[catjac1975]

Here's how big they are with out the cloche.

 

[digitS']

If my gardens weren't at such a distance from my home . . . this, that or another cloche would make so much sense to me!

I set up one of my hoopies in the closest garden about 10 years ago. We had an early bit of hot, sunny weather. I cut half-moons in the plastic so that it could vent the heat. Being there early and late and mid-day - every day just wasn't possible. It still worked quite well to help the plants get an earlier start.

Cathy, my squash plants look about like your outside-the-cloche plants.

Steve

 

[so lucky]

Amazing difference. Good demonstration, Cat. Your garden looks very lush. My lonely little hill of squash looks like your outside one, too.:/