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Growing under a cloche

PegathaPegatha Posts: 86
in Fruit & veg
Hello, I recently bought a cloche. It’s made of some kind of green plastic, and is about 6ft long, 3ft wide and about 3ft tall. It gets very humid inside. But there is a flap you can lift up to aerate it (and access inside).

Question is... what veggies should I grow in it? What veggies love humidity? And, given that the soil in the pots I’ve placed inside stay very moist, how often should I be adding water (to whatever I plant in there)? And how often aerate?

Thank you!

Posts

  • PegathaPegatha Posts: 86
    Oh also, are there any tropical fruits I could grow in it? Pineapple perhaps...? 
  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 28,792
    Cloches are mostly used for protecting tender new plants out in the ground until they get established and all risk of frosts is over.

    Plants in pots are usually protected in a cold frame or greenhouse or polytunnel because a cloche is not usually high enough to house a pot and the plant in it.
    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "We don't stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing." - George Bernard Shaw
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 82,724
    I use mine to warm up a strip of soil for a few days before planting out slightly tender things like little lettuce ... then I leave them covered by the cloche for a few days before uncovering during the day and putting it back over at night for a few more days then I move the cloche onto another strip of veg patch ... I moved ours two days ago so now the lettuces are uncovered and the soil is warming up ready to plant the French bean plants at the weekend. 

    After I take it off the French beans I’ll probably move it along a bit more and use it for some more lettuce plugs and after them I’ll start warming the soil up for the courgettes and squashes. 

    Hope that helps 😊 
     
    “I am not lost, for I know where I am. But however, where I am may be lost.” Winnie the Pooh







  • mrtjformanmrtjforman Posts: 331
    I would also suggest low growing vegetables, lettuce, maybe carrots. Later on the cloche can be raised on some bricks to allow fresh air in to remove the humidity and excess heat. It will still add protection without creating a sauna inside (a closed cloche in summer is like an oven)
  • PegathaPegatha Posts: 86
    Hi, thanks all for your replies. Useful tips!

    I am sort of using it as an experiment at this stage, feeling my way... 

    So far I have a young tomato plant in there which appears to be thriving. But I suspect it’s going to need some sunlight soon!?!

    The coriander shoots are also doing well. Again, I am surprised, as they are not getting any sun, just heat and humidity.

    I also planted some seeds in it about ten days ago, nothing is happening with them (lettuce, chilli peppers, onions).
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