Warm Up Your Spring Garden: DIY Cloche Ideas for Protecting Plants
Garden Frost Shelter DIY Concepts: DIY Approaches for Guarding Your Plants from Cold Weather Damage in the Yard
Don't let frosty nights keep your plants from flourishing! Here's a fun and easy guide on how to create DIY cloches to extend your planting season.
What's a Cloche, You Ask?
Cloches are protective covers for plants that act like mini greenhouses, guarding your little buddies from the bite of frost. The concept originated in France way back in 1623; the French then designed bell-shaped glass jars to shield their plants from frost damage. Today, a cloche can be a simple as a cardboard box or as permanent as a greenhouse—and many options fall somewhere in between.
DIY Cloche Ideas
Milk Jug Cloches
Embrace sustainability by recycling plastic milk jugs!
- Materials:
- Clean, dry milk jugs
- Utility knife or scissors
- Soil or small rocks for securing
- Steps:
- Cut the bottom off the milk jug.
- Place the jug over the plant, securing it with soil or small rocks.
- Ensure the jug is clear of any debris and provides adequate ventilation.
Wall O' Water
Let's dive into the refreshing protection of Wall O' Water!
- Materials:
- Water-filled tubes or similar material
- Support structure (optional)
- Instructions:
- Fill the tubes with water and place them around the plant in a circular manner.
- Water's thermal mass protects the plant from frost.
Hot Caps
Wrap your plants in cozy heat with hot caps!
- Materials:
- Paper or plastic cups
- Scissors or utility knife
- Instructions:
- Cut the top off the cup to create a small opening for ventilation.
- Place the cup over the plant, securing it with soil or small rocks.
Row Covers
Row covers are lightweight fabrics that protect entire rows of plants from frost.
- Materials:
- Lightweight fabric (row cover material)
- Weights or soil for securing
- Instructions:
- Drape the fabric over the row of plants.
- Secure the edges with rocks, soil, or clips.
- Remove the cover during warmer days to prevent overheating.
High Tunnels
High tunnels offer extra-large protection for cold-sensitive plants.
- Materials:
- PVC pipes or metal frames
- Plastic sheeting or fabric
- Securing materials (e.g., clips, weights)
- Instructions:
- Construct a frame using PVC or metal.
- Cover the frame with plastic or fabric.
- Secure the edges to prevent wind damage.
Cold Frames
Cold frames act as mini-greenhouses that protect plants using solar heat.
- Materials:
- Wooden or PVC frame
- Glass or plastic top
- Hinges for opening
- Instructions:
- Build the frame and cover it with glass or plastic.
- Add hinges to open for ventilation and plant maintenance.
Hot Beds
Let your garden cook with warm compost!
- Materials:
- Wooden or brick frame
- Compost or manure
- Topsoil
- Instructions:
- Fill the bottom of the frame with compost or manure.
- Add topsoil and plant your crops.
- The decomposing material will generate heat.
Greenhouses
Though not DIY cloches, greenhouses offer comprehensive protection for plants.
- Materials:
- Frame (wooden, metal, or PVC)
- Glass or plastic cover
- Ventilation system
- Instructions:
- Construct the frame and cover it with glass or plastic.
- Install a ventilation system to control temperature and humidity.
Make the most of your spring and fall harvest by wrapping your plants in a DIY cloche! With so many possibilities, you'll find the perfect protective cover that suits your gardening style.
Ready for More Spring Inspiration?
Jumpstart your garden ahead of schedule with the right seeds and prep work. Find out when to start planting seeds for a head start or click on our USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to choose plants that thrive in your area.
For a quick, easy, and reusable seed-starting solution, check out our 60 cell Bio Dome Seed Starting Kit. And don't forget to sign up for our newsletter to get DIY ideas, gardening tips, and garden inspiration delivered straight to your inbox!
About the Author
Susan Albert is a seasoned garden writer with a degree in English from Oklahoma State University. Despite excelling in communications, she discovered her true passion for gardens and wrote articles for magazines and authored a newspaper gardening column for many years. Having served as a master gardener for 17 years, Susan contributes expertise and enthusiasm to all her work in the horticulture world.
Enrichment Data
To further enhance your DIY cloche building skills, here are detailed instructions for each type of cloche:
Milk Jug Cloches
- Gather necessary materials like cleaned, dry milk jugs, a utility knife or scissors, and soil or small rocks for securing the jug.
- Cut off the bottom part of the jug using a utility knife or scissors.
- Turn the jug upside down and place it over your young plant. Secure the jug on the base using soil or small rocks so that it remains stable.
- Ensure the milk jug is clear of debris, and there is enough ventilation to prevent your plant from suffocating.
Wall O' Water
- Collect water-filled tubes or similar materials to create Wall O' Water.
- Set the tubes around the plant, arranging them in a circular pattern.
- Water's thermal mass absorbs heat during the day, releasing it slowly to protect the plant from frost at night.
Hot Caps
- Obtain paper or plastic cups, scissors or utility knife, and your plant.
- Cut the top off the cup to create a small opening for ventilation.
- Place the cup over the plant, securing it with soil or small rocks.
- Remove the cap during warmer days or whenever ventilation is required to prevent overheating.
Row Covers
- Procure a lightweight fabric such as row cover material, along with weights or soil for securing.
- Drape the fabric over the entire row of plants, making sure it covers the plants evenly.
- Secure the edges by placing weights or soil along the edges.
- Be sure to remove the cover during warmer days to prevent overheating.
High Tunnels
- Collect PVC pipes, metal frames, plastic sheeting or fabric, and securing materials such as clips or weights.
- Construct a frame using PVC pipes or metal.
- Cover the frame with plastic sheeting or fabric, ensuring that the edges are securely fastened to prevent wind damage.
Cold Frames
- Assemble a wooden or PVC frame, glass or plastic top, and hinges for opening the top.
- Cover the frame with the plastic or glass top.
- Add hinges to enable opening, facilitating airflow, ventilation, and maintenance of the plants.
Hot Beds
- Gather a wooden or brick frame, compost or manure, and topsoil.
- Line the bottom of the frame with compost or manure, adding a layer of topsoil on top.
- Plant your crops in the topsoil.
- The decomposing compost or manure will generate heat, protecting your plants from frost.
Greenhouses
- Construct a frame using wood, metal, or PVC.
- Cover the frame with glass or plastic, ensuring proper ventilation through the roof or side walls.
- Install ventilation systems to manage temperature and humidity.
These DIY cloche ideas offer various levels of protection and can be adapted based on your garden's specific needs. Happy planting!
- Incorporate a protective cloche into your home-and-garden lifestyle to ensure the longevity of your spring garden. DIY cloches can range from simple milk jug covers to elaborate high tunnels, catering to your preferred gardening style and the needs of your plants.
- Nurture your garden year-round by adopting a lifestyle that includes cloches for cooler seasons, taking advantage of the sunlight during warmer months, and growing a diverse variety of plants that suit your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. With the right protective covers and proper care, you'll cultivate a flourishing home-and-garden oasis that brings joy throughout the year.
