Protecting your plants with a cloche greenhouse
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Are you tired of seeing your young lettuces devoured by slugs? Or of worrying that a late frost will kill your basil seedlings?
There is an old, simple and ecological solution: The Garden Bell .
Much more than just a cover, it's a veritable mini-greenhouse that boosts growth and acts as a shield against pests. Discover how to master this essential gardening tool.
1. What is a forcing bell?
Used since the 19th century by Parisian market gardeners (in the form of heavy and fragile glass), the modern bell has become more widespread.
Now made of thick, transparent plastic, it is unbreakable and easy to handle. Its purpose is to create a microclimate around a single plant.
2. Why use cloches in the garden?
A) The Greenhouse Effect (Gaining 3 weeks)
Its primary function is "forcing". By capturing the sun's rays, the bell warms the ground and the air inside.
Result: You can plant your tomatoes, melons or salads much earlier in the season, without waiting for the Ice Saints.
B) Pest-Resistant Armor
This is the ultimate mechanical protection. Under its dome, your salad is inaccessible to:
- 🐌 Slugs and snails.
- 🐦 Greedy birds.
- 🌧️ Hail and heavy rain.
This is the best alternative to chemical slug pellets.
C) Winter Protection
In winter, it protects from the icy wind and maintains a slightly above zero temperature around the plant, often saving perennial herbs (thyme, parsley).
The Professional Gardening Bell
Protect your crops now. Our model is equipped with adjustable ventilation to prevent overheating.
- 🛡️ Robust Plastic: Resistant to UV rays and impacts.
- 🌬️ Ventilation: Essential to prevent mold.
- ⚓ Anchoring: Holes provided for fixing to the ground (stakes included).
3. How to use your bell jar correctly?
Warning: an improperly used cloche can cook your plant!
- Ventilation is vital: As soon as the sun shines, the temperature rises very quickly inside. Open the vents or lift the dome with a small stone during the day.
- Watering: Rain does not pass through the cloche! You must check the moisture regularly.
The Humidity Tip: The Spray Bottle
Under a cloche, the environment should be tropical (warm and humid). To water a fragile seedling without drowning it and to maintain this humidity, use a spray bottle through the ventilation opening.
Your seedlings' ally
Ideal for moistening the inside of the cloche without disturbing the seedling soil.
See the Vaporizer4. DIY Systems and Alternatives
Do you have a lot of plants and a small budget?
The "Bottle" (DIY) method
Cut the bottom off a 5L water bottle. Keep the cap to control ventilation. It's less aesthetically pleasing and less stable in the wind than a real bell jar (you need to plant a stake to hold it up), but it does the job!
The Winter Veil
If the plant is too large for a cloche (like a small lemon tree or a bay tree), use a winter fleece. It acts like a breathable coat.
Protect your garden
Don't let the cold or slugs ruin your efforts. Get equipped!
🎁 Special Promo Code: Enjoy 10% off Bells with the code CLOCHE10
I protect my plants