[kiwinicks]

Hi there,

I want to make some cloches and was going to use some MDPE pipe, as there are so many experienced people here i was wondering what is the best size pipe to use.

I was thinking of using 20 mil pipe but not sure if this will be strong enough?

[arugula]

That size should be strong enough for cloches. If you were building a polytunnel I'd advise much bigger.

[Doddy]

I used 20mm on a 4ft wide bed, lasted well until the snow/ice over winter, where the MDPE was bent under the weight of the snow on both frames that I had in place at that time.  They survived well enough, but just a bit bent.

This year I'm wondering how to manage winter - may have to remove the enviromesh covers to avoid similar problems.

[Comfortably Numb]

I use 25mm for tunnels over my brassicas and other stuff, and they stand up to the wind and weather.
I would think 20mm is a bit on the weak side 

[arugula]

I suppose it depends on how free the pipe is too.

[N.WalesIdealist]

I think if you can secure it well enough, you should be fine with 20ml.  Get hold of some steel rods and drive them into the ground about 18 inches, leaving about 12 inches above the soil.  then slip the pipe over them, should be sturdy enough!

[TerryB]

I use 20mm electricians plastic conduit pipe, attached with 50mm roofing bolts to a frame made from roofing battens
Max size about 4ft x 8ft so one person can move it.
4 hoops per frame and one length along the top attached to each hoop for extra support.
These can be covered with mesh, net or plastic sheeting and can be moved around the site as required.
For a quick, short duration cover, (over sweetcorn when first planted) the conduit is just pushed into the soil to form hoops about every 2ft and then covered.