Did you know the word ‘cloche’ is derived from the French word for ‘bell’? A bell-shaped glass cover (or bell jar) was used in the 19th century of France to cover individual plants during the growing season. Modern agriculture cloches are made with a variety of materials including mesh, screen, cloth, and plastic.
The idea of a cloche has expanded to a cloche cover or a cloche row cover to shelter vegetable beds and raised beds.
Cloches are used to warm the soil, protect young plants from frost and wind, and expedite root establishment.
Unlike greenhouses and coldframes, a garden cloche is placed over plants in their existing position – plants do not have to be uprooted from its existing position.
There are a wide range of sizes and styles, in a variety of materials available, but the type that is right for you depends on the plants you are covering and what you are protecting them from.
It is important to consider the size, shape, and area you need to cover when choosing the best garden cloche.
If you live in a snowy area and are planning to protect vegetables well into winter, also consider how well your cloches will stand up under the weight of snow.
A lightweight row cover is a useful insect barrier that creates a blockage between seedlings and pest insects such as flea beetles, aphids, thrips, cabbage moth caterpillars, etc.
A heavyweight row cover is a heavier fabric which offers frost protection down to -5°C.
The less permeable a cloche is, the warmer the trapped air remains on cold nights. Airtight cloches demand more attention to prevent overheating and possible death to your plants.
Here are some ways to use cloches in your garden:
Frost protection – Glass or plastic cloches helps insulate crops from the cold and creates a warmer environment for young seedling to mature plants. Using frost protection can extend the season by two weeks or more.
Insect Protection – A physical barrier protects crops from serious damage or infestation from adult insects. Open frames and mesh fabric cloches are the standard material to use, which allows water, air and 85% of sunlight to pass through.
Animal Protection – Chicken wire or mesh over the cloche frame protects your garden beds from cats, rabbits, and larger pests.
Mini Greenhouse – Using plastic film captures energy from the sun and creates a hot environment beneath for heat loving plants such as melons, tomatoes, eggplants, and cucumbers to thrive in. It is important to roll up the side or leave the ends open to allow air circulation around the plants
Shade House – Minimize heat stress or sunscald by placing a shade cloth over the cloche frame and reduce the impact of sunlight by 50%.