DIY Cloches

Protect tender tomato plants and other seedlings with an easy homemade cloche.

A wire hanging basket and shrink wrap make an elegant, easy garden cloche. A gardener using a cloche can plant out or start seeds earlier in the season. The clear cover helps the soil retain moisture and traps the day's warmth during cold nights. A row of pretty covers gives your garden a Victorian flavor as well.

Things You'll Need

• 1 round wire basket
• Shrink wrap
• Scissors
• Hair dryer
• Double-sided tape

Instructions

1. Cut a piece of shrink wrap large enough to fit completely around the basket. Layer pieces if necessary.

2. Tape the edges of the shrink wrap under the rim of the basket.

3. Use the hair dryer to shrink the plastic around the basket. Continue until the plastic is smooth and tight around the wire. Trim any excess shrink wrap.

4. Place the cloche directly over the soil, covering seeds or seedlings. The cloche can be taken off during the day and set in place at sunset to hold in the heat from the soil during cool nights.

References

• Gardener's World: DIY Cloche