IF, like me, you’re bursting to run out on to the plot and get some cropping plants in the ground, I’ve found the perfect way to focus all that positive energy: cloches! By offering your precious veg seedlings a transition between the protective environment of a windowsill, conservatory or greenhouse and the open ground, you can scratch that horticultural itch – so let’s do it!
Which is best for you?
Cloches come in a range of shapes and sizes (see next page for a few of the main styles and functions), and they are made in various materials. These have a direct and notable effect on the crops growing beneath them, so it’s important to choose wisely.
For example, clear polythene may be inexpensive and easy to store, yet it will offer virtually no insulation. Glass, atother end of the spectrum, is most costly yet infinitely more insulating.
