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Blue water pipe cloches

CollareddoveCollareddove Posts: 165
in Fruit & veg
I see people using half moon lengths of blue water pipe as framework for protection of vegetable beds, with fleece or similar to cover.
When I have tried this I cannot get the pipe reliably to stay anchored in the ground.  How do people overcome this problem?
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Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,358
    If you push a piece of can or similar into the ends, then push them in, that keeps them in place.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • CollareddoveCollareddove Posts: 165
    I did try pushing pieces of cane into the ends but they usually broke when pushing into the ground, or after being in the ground for a season.  If they broke inside the pipe it wasn't possible to get them out, nor to push another piece up the pipe because the original piece was blocking it.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,122
    As invented by (or at least popularized by) Geoff Hamilton - https://www.gardeningdata.co.uk/powen/advanced/deep-bed-cloche.php
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • CollareddoveCollareddove Posts: 165
    The idea of dowel secured with a nail does seem more substantial than a piece of cane.  Thanks for the link @JennyJ.
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,122
    It probably depends how windy it gets where you are.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,500
    A short length of stiff wire or steel bar, pushed into the soil in the desired place, but of smaller diameter than the inside of your pipe, overcomes the problem.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,358
    That's what I'd use @nick615 if cane/dowel isn't suitable. 
    I wouldn't have any problem pushing a bit of dowel or cane into the soil here, but I suppose if it's hard and dry it would be more difficult. I've also used metal 'canes' which were the shelf supports from one of those cheapo plastic greenhouses. Hollow like a cane, but sturdy  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • steephillsteephill Posts: 2,814
    Get some rebar from a builders merchant. It comes in a range of diameters so it should be easy to find the right size to fit your pipe. It is also useful for making plant supports as Monty Don has shown many times on GW.
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 7,013
    Fairygirl said:
    I've also used metal 'canes' which were the shelf supports from one of those cheapo plastic greenhouses. Hollow like a cane, but sturdy  :)
    That's what I use, too
    “It's still magic even if you know how it's done.” 
  • ColinAColinA Posts: 386
    I push the ends into the soil approx 6ins and never have a problem
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