Cloche Experiment Results

First Photo: No significant damage

Second Photo: Frost damage

I promised an update on the home made cloches. I made them from milk and water jugs and 2L soda bottles. Success was very limited. A recap on how they were made: I cut the bottom 1/2 inch off and removed the caps. Voila!! Homemade cloches!

Background: I performed my experiment using a 'far from' scientific method. There was no control. I just did this for kicks to see what would happen. The experiment was performed during a series of freezes ranging from 29 to 32 degrees. I used flying saucer squash and black zucchini squash. I didn't calculate standard deviation, or whether there was a significant difference between cold tolerance of the zucchini and the flying saucer. Remember - this was just for my own amusement.

Results of my experiment:

-with the caps removed, the cloches only protected to 32 degrees.

-with paper towels stuffed slightly in the top and dirt built up slightly around the lower edge of the cloche, protection up to 30 degrees is provided with only minimal frost damage to outer edges of leaves.

Note: The caps must be removed when the temperatures during the day are in excess of 50 degrees Fahrenheit to keep the tender young seedlings from frying. Since I work and must leave the house prior to this warming, I need a cloche that can be left on its own with no modifications for a straight 24 hours. That's where the paper towel came in. I figured that by stuffing the paper towel partially in the opening, some heat would be able to escape during the day, but enough heat would be held in at night. This worked pretty good, I guess.

Results: plastic cloches probably aren't the best method of protection for tender seedlings during a mild frost. A better option would likely be a frost blanket. I have used them in the past and they work pretty good. A frost blanket can be draped over an entire planting bed, so it's more convenient. GLASS cloches may work better than plastic cloches - but who wants to spend $20 on a cloche that can only be used to protect one plant at a time? Hmmm....not me.