How to use your Cosy Cloche™ & Cosy Frame™

The Cosy Cloche™ does not need to be moved or taken apart to plant, water, weed or harvest - the fully opening top gives total access at all times.

Soil
As usual the soil is the key. Make sure you dig well, dig deep and dig-in as much organic material as you can thus giving the soil the best chance of holding warmth and most importantly moisture. It sounds obvious but make sure you do this before the cloche is placed.

Time
Try to put the cloches in place a month before sowing - this enables the soil to retain heat in advance of sowing, but any time will be better than never! Remember to keep the moisture level up by watering under the cloches.

Temperature
A further advantage can be gained by sowing indoors in a Cosy Cloche™ Patio Set. Once germinated the Patio Set can be carried outside on warmer days to get the sun and later
left out to harden off a bit before transplanting. When the seedlings are ready, they can be planted out under another Cosy Cloche™. (Placed earlier to get the bed all warm and
cosy for the seedlings.) Outside, sow when the temperature of the soil reaches at least 7C (45F) - almost all seeds will fail to germinate below this temperature. When using cloches the date used to be about a month before the last date for frost however with global warming this date is increasingly indeterminate so keep an eye on the temperature and if you can monitor the temperature of your soil. If all this sounds like too much then then sow when you think it’s right the cloche will protect the seeds from being eaten by pests, sat on by cats, washed out by deluges and the seeds should germinate when they are ready!

Position
Position cloches in a sunny spot and keep the cloches together in rows or blocks. Make sure the edges of your Cosy Cloches™ are slightly below the soil level to “seal” against
damage in heavy wind conditions. Also this will help keep the entire cloche in contact with ground and draught-free.

Wind Break
If you live in a particularly exposed area you may want to think about a wind break. Ensure that the windbreak will not put a shadow over the growing area. If the wind break consists of trees or hedges remember that the soil may be less fertile close to it. Usually windbreaks are effective up to a distance of 8 times the height of the windbreak.

Watering
Watering of plants protected by a cloche is often considered a problem but rainwater that runs off the sides of the cloche will keep the soil inside the cloche moist. The great thing about the Cosy Cloche™ is you can open the top for watering ithout having to lift the whole cloche!

Ventilation
The Cosy Cloche’s™ built-in two-stage ventilation means you can easily adjust the amount of air circulating to maintain ptimum growing conditions and prevent any build up of disease.

Seasons end
At the end of each season the Cosy Cloche™ & Cosy Frame™ can be cleaned by simply washing with water and some washing up liquid if required. Fold them flat and store in
the potting shed, in the garage or up against a fence. If storing outside it would be prudent to cover and provide some restraint against being blown away!

Specifications