[Lenny59]

Hi All

Planning on building some cloches for my raised beds I have prepared for next year.

I understand that putting the cloches over the beds before planting will help raise the soil temp.

What I was wondering was..... does it help to keep the cloches in place after I have planted raised seedlings out.....if so do i need to make ventilation in the cloches......thought it might be a way of keeping butterflies/slugs at bay as well as giving the young plants a good start.

Your thoughts please

[Gwiz]

A lot of people use horticultural fleece nowadays. Ive found it very usefull to warm the soil, and to protect the young seedlings from frost.

[Lenny59]

so....would I be better using fleece on the cloche frames instead of clear poly???

[agapanthus]

By using fleece you don't have to water so ofter 'cos the rain will do it for you

[Lenny59]

Thanks for the replies......So the fleece is easy to attach to cloches (Wont tear etc etc).......And back to my original question can I keep the cloches on for a good length on time during the growing season......

[richyrich7]

If your using fleece for cloche you could leave on all season if the plant did not req pollination etc. great protection for carrots lettuce etc

[Lenny59]

Thats just what I wanted to hear Richyrich......Cauli's ok under the fleeced Cloche ? ? ?

[richyrich7]

Can't see why not keeps the bloomin cabbage whites off, but not the slugs !! still need to use separate protection for them

[DD.]

Thats just what I wanted to hear Richyrich......Cauli's ok under the fleeced Cloche ? ? ?

You'll need a very big cloche!

[richyrich7]

Thats just what I wanted to hear Richyrich......Cauli's ok under the fleeced Cloche ? ? ?

You'll need a very big cloche!

or small cauli's