Nick Hamilton has fun trying out cloches to extend the veg-growing season
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| Cloches range in size from tiny to tent-like structures
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'The small rigid cloches were, as expected, excellent for covering early crops such as carrots and beetroot, either sown in short rows or planted as multi-sown plants.'
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| There's a cloche for every eventuality, says Nick
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October 2007: As a keen vegetable grower, I find cloches invaluable for extending the growing season at both ends. In spring, they help you produce the earliest of crops, while at this time of year they can protect some later sowings.
Big as a tent!
So you can probably understand my joy, when
Gardens Monthly editor Liz asked me to try out lots of different cloches. We acquired a range from quite low and small, rigid cloches up to what can only be described as almost a tent! If pushed, I'm sure I could have spent the night in there, it was that large. However, it did prove to be an excellent cover for our early peas which, if the weather had been colder during March, would have kept them protected until they were about 45cm (18in) high. The cloche was square and held on a rigid, tubular, frame, covered with reasonably tough polythene. The top of the cloche had an outer zip fastener, which could be undone to ventilate, although this was not ideal as it didn't really get air movement around the plants, but just allowed any hot air to escape.
Small and rigid
The small, rigid cloches were, as expected, excellent for covering early crops such as carrots and beetroot, either sown in short rows or planted as multi-sown plants. These cloches are easy to hold down on our sometimes breezy site and can be easily stored until required. The ones with a rigid cover were less adaptable than those with wire hoops and thin polythene, which can be made very short or long, as required by each individual crop.
Elegant bell jar
The plastic bell jar was placed over early lettuce in our ornamental kitchen garden as this seemed to be the most appropriate place for such an elegant-looking cloche. It worked well here, as it is a sheltered garden that is not really affected by the wind. In a more exposed area I fear that it would blow away quite readily, unlike the much heavier and more expensive glass prototype. By the look of the samples we were sent, there is definitely a cloche for every eventuality. This is a real bonus for those who like to extend the vegetable growing season – for us they are as important as a greenhouse.
Look further
Nick and Sue Hamilton run
Barnsdale Gardens in Rutland, Leicestershire, formerly owned by the late Geoff Hamilton.
* For Brad's tried-and-tested guide to cloches and more information, scroll down to Related Articles at the bottom of this page.
* Nick Hamilton photograph: Redshift Photography
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