Building cloches

Good guy · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:06 pm Post subject: Building cloches

I'm making cloches for two of my raised beds and I have bought Biotex to cover them with. I have made frames from 2 x 2 softwood and intend to use 3/4 inch water pipe hoops to support the fabric. The frames are 1.2 metres wide so the hoops will be the same height.
My questions are:
-Do I simply drill 3/4 inch holes in the frame to take the ends of the hoops?
-Will the end hoops be stiff enough to withstand lateral forces (wind and the weight of the fabric), or will they need bracing?
-Does anyone have a smart way of fixing the Biotex to the frames? I'm considering using an office stapler (all I've got!) through strips of stout polythene.
Any other comments or suggestions welcome.

tagwex · Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2014 11:25 pm Post subject:

Two things.... I don't know what Biotex is but that don't matter and we don't know how long your raised bed is.
Anyway, personally I would cut off say 300mm of electrical conduit or copper piping and insert that into the piping and then screw through that to the inside face of the timber with Tex screws. Also, run two lengths of said electrical conduit or copper piping longitudinally under the hoops to provide lateral restraint. No wind will shift that.

PS. the hoop height will be half the width not the same, i.e. 600mm.

Greengage · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 6:35 pm Post subject:

Saw this one on facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=375058842610347&set=gm.445961058819910&type=1&theater

Good guy · Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2014 11:50 pm Post subject:

Thank, lads, for the info. Obviously I'm getting my radii and diameters confused - maths never was my strong suit! Biotex is a woven form of horticultural fleece, porous to water and air and should last a lot longer than polythene or fleece, say the suppliers.
I'm going to see if I can find more detailed pics like the GIY one.

tagwex · Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2014 11:01 am Post subject:

Another mirabile dictu moment good guy?

Good guy · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 4:16 pm Post subject:

Exactly, Tagwex.
And thanks for the link, Greengage, it led me to loads of good ideas. Now I'm waiting for the shops to open on Tuesday.

Greengage · Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2014 5:22 pm Post subject:

were here to help let us know how you get on and post some photos as we are a curious bunch here.