Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Design and Construction => Topic started by: Zak the Rabbit on February 05, 2007, 20:30

Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: Zak the Rabbit on February 05, 2007, 20:30
okay then, heres a simple job for those of you with kids who drink gallons of fizzy pop, or who like me always overstock the mixers at Christmas and are still working there way through them... :?

take an ordinary, 2litre plastic pop bottle, and remove the label,

leave the cap on. Carefully, using the sharp implement of your choice, locate the bottom of the bottle (its the end furthest from the top :wink: ) and cut the bottom off. Dont worry about it being too neat and tidy, but do take off any sharp bits.

now, take a 2ft length of sturdy wire (i use fencing wire) and straighten it out. Now, bend the middle of the wire into a loop around the neck of the bottle (theres a lip to help you on it) so it holds the bottle tight. Then with a pair of pliers bend the two lengths of wire sticking out, in a right angle about 2inch from the bottle top, forming two legs either side of the bottle, and extending about  6inch from the bottom.

locate your new bottle cloche over the plant of your selection, and inser the legs into the soil, bingo :D , heres one i made earlier...


(http://photos1.blogger.com/x/blogger/8182/3657/320/587189/DSCF0501.jpg)
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: richyrich7 on February 05, 2007, 20:40
Nice I like the addition of the wire, it would stop the damn things blowing around the garden.  :)
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: muntjac on February 05, 2007, 20:48
nice one zak matey u can join our whizz kids club as well .inventors all welcome
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: fluffypebble on February 06, 2007, 09:47
Even I could follow those instructions, nice idea.
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: noshed on February 06, 2007, 17:19
I just put a cane through mine last year but they work well. I put plastic collars round me brassicas as well - not sure why exactly but it made it easier to hoe.
Left them on too long though but you can't be completely perfect.
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: Trillium on February 13, 2007, 04:25
I've been using the bottle idea for years, but never thought of the wires. Will add that this year. Great idea!  :idea:
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: Beanzie on April 09, 2007, 14:05
Great Idea. I could use the wire coathangers that come with the dry cleaning
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: WG. on April 09, 2007, 14:51
I use them on their side.  Cut out a rectangular window about 2 inches wide and almost full length.   Punch a wee hole at the base (opposite side from the window).

Put a stone or some soil in the top.  Lay it on its side and push a cane or wire through the hole.  Voila!
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: Trillium on April 09, 2007, 15:28
I find if I shove them into the ground deep enough, the bottles don't budge, and a scrap of fleece held down by an elastic band on the top stops frosts getting in and lets heat out.
And save those bottom pcs - great for putting below pots to catch water, or use them to start up seedlings.  :D
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: GrannieAnnie on April 09, 2007, 16:21
Saw this on your blogspot Zak, the wires are a good idea, as it gets a bit windy over here in Lincolnshire!
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: Comfry_Kid on May 19, 2007, 22:12
I use buckets to keep the birds off (http://images.fotopic.net/ynmzy3.jpg)
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: Aunt Sally on May 19, 2007, 22:26
:shock:  Glad my allotment doesn't look like that  :!:
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: Aunt Sally on May 19, 2007, 22:28
Sorry... how rude of me  :oops:  

It's just a shock to see it looking so... industrial, rather than natural  :wink:
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: shaun on May 19, 2007, 22:30
whats in the buckets and the pipes comfry ?
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: Comfry_Kid on May 20, 2007, 22:38
Quote from: "Aunt Sally"
:shock:  Glad my allotment doesn't look like that  :!:


Sobs uncontrollablly - oh no ......... then picks himself up and wipes the tears away ..... Not pretty I agree - Its a small price to pay to keep the birds off!

Quote from: "shaun"
whats in the buckets and the pipes comfry ?


Red Cabbage - Cauli (All yr round) - Cabbage (Minicole) - Swiss Chard (Silver/White)- the bucket/pipe system is not pretty but it works - last year I used green netting (off a scaffolding company) this kept the birds off but didn't let enough light in - all my plants went really leggy!
Title: Bottle cloches
Post by: Trillium on May 25, 2007, 16:11
Have to agree with Aunt Sally that it isn't pretty, but if it does the job, then power to you. Birds can be far too determined so desperate measures are needed. Let us know how it worked out at season's end.