How to Make a Corrugated Fiberglass Cloche

Cloches can decrease time to harvest of vegetables in a garden.

Corrugated fiberglass is a clear material commonly used in gardens, greenhouses and roof construction. This material allows light to enter the covered area while providing protection from the elements. The material is also rounded over plants to create a miniature greenhouse which keeps the planting rows warmer for quicker growth.

Things You'll Need

• Safety goggles
• Work gloves
• 3 - 2 inch by 4 inch lumber, 8 feet long
• Measuring tape
• Table saw
• Drill
• 1/8-inch drill bit
• Nails, 1 5/8 inches, 18 gauge
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Put on your safety goggles and work gloves.

2. Measure, mark and cut two pieces of 2 inch by 4 inch lumber which are 3 feet long. These will be the ends of your cloche.

3. Lay two 8 foot pieces of 2 inch by 4 inch lumber parallel to each other. The lumber should be 3 feet apart. These are the sides of the cloche. Place the cloche ends created in Step 1 at the top and bottom of the parallel sides. Position all pieces of lumber on the narrow edges. Secure the ends to the sides with nails and a hammer.

4. Measure, mark and cut a piece of corrugated fiberglass that is 6 feet wide and 8 feet long.

5. Drill holes along the 8 foot long edges of the corrugated fiberglass. The holes should be 6 inches apart.

6. Slide one 8-foot side of the fiberglass inside one side of the frame. The edge of the fiberglass should be even with the bottom edge of the side. Nail the fiberglass to the wood using nails threaded through the predrilled holes.

7. Bend the fiberglass into an upside down "U" shape so that the free 8-foot side fits inside the opposite frame edge. Turn the frame on the side so that the unsecured edge is against a flat surface. Adjust the fiberglass so that it is even with the bottom edge of the side. Secure the material to the wood using nails threaded through the predrilled holes.

Tips & Warnings

• The cloche can be moved to different rows throughout the growing season. The ends of the cloche are left open to allow for ventilation, but can be covered as desired. Check the soil moisture frequently and water as needed.

References

• Link Agenet; Cloches: Cheap, Strong, Spacious and Easy to Make
• The Garden Grapevine; Cloches
• Oregon State Extension; "Fall and Winter Vegetable Gardening in the Pacific Northwest"; June 2001