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I'm looking to buy cheap Cloche Hoops, any ideas?
or the material to make my own!

Look in the plumbing dept at B&Q etc....the blue piping's the stuff to do the trick 8)

poundland. cloches for, well, a pound.

The Geoff Hamilton specials - ie 63mm scrap MDPE pipe, two planks of wood and some 6" nails is cheap if you can salvage the MDPE pipe and some wood from builders etc.

The more expensive version of this - although they do last a lifetime - is from Gardening Naturally - aluminium hoops.

Or old hosepipe lengths with wire through them- keep meaning to try this myself.

Quote from: Alishka_Maxwell on June 07, 2008, 12:26:28
Look in the plumbing dept at B&Q etc....the blue piping's the stuff to do the trick 8)

Iv'e just come back from B&Q as well..........LOL

can only find MDPE Blue Pipe 25mm x 50m would that do?

A while ago  Wilkinsons had some cloches for £4.99.  Really worth having and quite sturdy.  busy_lizzie

Quote from: bajmoe on June 07, 2008, 15:08:34
can only find MDPE Blue Pipe 25mm x 50m would that do?

Yes.  In fact it's what we use for putting nets or fleece over our raised beds.  Cut it into suitable lengths to make a series of arches, allowing enough to push into the soil.

If you look at the pictures here, you'll see how we use it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jznorman/sets/72157604770161560/

Quote from: Melbourne12 on June 07, 2008, 16:17:35

Quote from: bajmoe on June 07, 2008, 15:08:34
can only find MDPE Blue Pipe 25mm x 50m would that do?

Yes.  In fact it's what we use for putting nets or fleece over our raised beds.  Cut it into suitable lengths to make a series of arches, allowing enough to push into the soil.

If you look at the pictures here, you'll see how we use it.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jznorman/sets/72157604770161560/

just double checking before i order it, thats the 25mm is it?
and do you use pegs with that?

Yes, it's standard 1" (25mm) blue MDPE.  We don't use pegs in the ends of ther pipe, just shove it in the soil.  Obviously the netting or other covering has to be pegged down.

If you want it taller, eg over strawberry bed so you can walk under it, I thread it onto narrow metal poles or sturdy canes pushed into the ground.

Quote from: ani on June 08, 2008, 21:37:53
If you want it taller, eg over strawberry bed so you can walk under it, I thread it onto narrow metal poles or sturdy canes pushed into the ground.

me too 8)

hope this all helps you :)

Melbourne12, I have taken your advice and bought some cheap hose, some strong flexible wire and some fine netting and am going to make some "Melbourne12" style cloches tomorrow!

Thank you very much for your tip.

Shamba

seen on a nearby plot. (he is a builder)[attachment=1][attachment=2]
these are portable!! ;)