Building a Passive Solar Cloche

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Who is this course for?

This course is particularly good for people who want to have an extended growing season. 

Once you’ve built this cloche you will be able to get your seedlings off to a very early start in spring, it will also extend your growing season in autumn. 

This course is also great for people who want to create a small scale seedling production business, or are currently running one and would like to extend their season. 

 This course is for people who want to grow micro greens in a cold climate or during the winter months in a temperate climate. 

This course is also for people who can’t afford a big green house. You can build this cloche for next to nothing. 

If you’re having trouble keeping your seedlings safe from young children, birds, slugs and snails, this course is for you! 

This cloche is useful for both country and urban gardeners. 

Episodes and Learning Outcomes

Episode 1

• Bob gives us an introduction to all of the main features of this Passive Solar Cloche and Kay speaks about some of the reasons why you may choose to build a cloche in the first place.

Episode 2 – Foundations Pt. 1

• Understand the reasons behind the the dimensions of our cloche.
• Learn how to choose the best position to place your cloche in terms of sunlight.
• Get started on the foundations of the cloche and learn how to use ground durable posts as a local and sustainable option for foundations.
• Learn how to ram the foundation poles into the soil to get quality compaction that will last indefinitely.

Episode 3 – Foundations Pt. 2

• Learn how to get the right level between your front and back row of foundations.
• Learn how to make concrete foundations in case you don’t have access to any ground durable woods.

Episode 4 – Putting Things Together Pt. 1

• Learn how to create a double skin plastic layer for your frames to get better insulation properties.
• Watch Bob fixing the frames to the foundations poles.
• Lear how to make a rat skirt to stop the rats and mice from getting into the interior of the cloche.

Episode 5 – Putting Things Together Pt. 2 

• Learn how to create a waterproof membrane for the foundation of the cloche and an extra soil layer for insulation and heat storage.

Episode 6 – Earth Building Pt. 1

• Learn how to use a simple earth building technique to create an efficient insulation layer for your cloche.
• Learn how to make a simple structure with netting and staples that will support the light earth infil (insulation layer).

Episode 7 – Earth Building Pt. 2

• Learn how to make an earth plaster and an earth paint to give your cloche a great finishing touch.