Cloches extend the growing season of plants by shielding them from cold winter winds and trapping heat from the sun.
*Builds a 60cm x 60cm cloche that is 40cm tall
>> Click here for cutting plan << |
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Modern cloches tend to put practicality and economy above ornament and can look out of place, while antique Victorian cloches are both useful and attractive but can be very expensive to buy.
However, you can replicate the mini-glass house style of the old cloches using perspex and piano hinges to achieve the same effect for far less expense. They also make a really great gift idea for other gardeners to enjoy.
You will need....*
- 90cm x 180cm sheet of perspex
- 1.2m of 20mm 'L'-shaped aluminium brackets,
- 5m of 20mm aluminium piano hinges,
- 120mm x 4mm set screws (mini bolts) and nuts,
- All-surface marker pen,
- Straight edge,
- Stanley knife with a scoring blade,
- 100cm x 20cm wooden batten to support the perspex when drilling,
- Hacksaw/tin snips,
- Small file,
- Drill,
- Tape measure,
- Screwdriver
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| Instructions: |
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Step one:
Mark out the cutting plan onto a sheet of perspex using an all-surface marker pen. Then put a straight edge along the lines and score twice with a Stanley knife. To snap the perspex, position it over the side of a table with the scored line running over the edge. With one hand holding the sheet flat to the table, snap the overhanging piece downwards in one quick movement. |
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Step two:
Cut the aluminium 'L'-shaped bracket into four 40cm lengths with a hacksaw. Then, using the wooden batten for support, drill and screw the brackets onto each perspex side, leaving an overhang of 10cm to form the legs. |
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Step three:
Join the sides together by drilling and fixing with set screws. Support the back of the perspex with the wooden batten when drilling and only tighten the set-screws to "finger tight" to prevent cracking. |
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Step four:
Using a perspex roof section as a guide, measure the folded piano hinge against one of the shorter sides of the triangle and cut using a hacksaw or tin snips. Then file off any sharp edges. Repeat, making four lengths of hinge each with a bevelled edge, as shown. |
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Step five:
Lay the roof sections on a flat surface leaving 1mm gaps between them. The gaps are essential, allowing the roof to be pulled up into a pyramid. Fix together with the four open piano hinges. Then cut and fix open lengths of hinge to the remaining sides of each roof section. |
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Step six:
Pull the roof up into a pyramid and position on top of the base. Drill and fix three of the sides to the base with set screws, leaving one side as a flap for access. Take out to the garden and secure by pushing the legs into the soil. |
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