Topic: bubble wrap and chicken wire cloches

[aquilegia]

Do bear with me as this is just an idea I had on the walk home yesterday, I haven't actually built it yet (and am not very practical minded).

Take one piece of chicken wire, slightly larger than twice the size of your bubble wrap.

Place bubble wrap so it covers one half of chicken wire, with a border of chicken wire.

Fold chicken wire over so it encloses the bubble wrap. Twist the ends of the wire together so it is secure.

Bend whole thing into desired shape.

Make end pieces using same method.

Being very light, you'll probably need to peg it into the ground.

Do you think it'll work? I need chicken wire now!

[Xanadu]

Aquilegia, are you  trying to built it like a polytunnel kind of thing. If you are would that not cause condensation, when it gets very sunny. Just a thought don't mean to offend.

[kenkew]

The idea would work. Each bubble is a sealed 'shell' so making holes through the centre of some of the bubbles would give ventilation without tearing.
If enough wire was left all the way round then maybe it could either be pegged down or stapled to a wood edging?
Another aproach could be to make a tunnel using your wire and pegs and simply draped the bubble wrap over it. One side could be buried, the other could be held down with a piece of timber so you'de have access to the plants. Lots of ways to plat with this idea. Good on yer.

[aquilegia]

Xanadu - no offence taken. I hadn't thought of that.

Good idea Ken to pierce holes - for the carrot ones I shall use a bit of fleece on the end so the plants can breath, but the horrid carrot flies stay out. I was thinking of double layer of chicken wire to keep the bubble wrap secured well, but also making it a bit more ridged. But if chicken wire is expensive (I don't like spending money!) I may just do a single layer.

[legless]

i might try this too - having recently discovered that wedding albums come wrapped in more bubble wrap than you can imagine, i'll have quite a supply!

[kenkew]

And when you get enough you could just stop getting married.

[legless]

where's the fun in that?

[Muddy_Boots]

Rolling around the floor, thanks folks, made my day!
 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D