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Forcing and growing plants

Improve growing conditions for your vegetable plants or seedlings of any kind by using protective film, a tunnel or a cloche.

How to improve growing conditions for your plants in the cold season

There is always plenty to do in the garden when the days are cool - aerating cold frames, opening tunnels, removing cloches, etc. The single objective is to increase temperatures and extend or start off a plant’s growth cycle earlier.

- To make sure the seeds you plant grow successfully, simply place a Climatex cover directly on the soil and over your seeds, to conserve the natural heat generated by the earth and create a microclimate.

The cover is inexpensive, breathable and waterproof and will keep out annoying seed guzzlers (birds and slugs).
To stop it blowing away at the slightest gust of wind, attach the cover with Claw pegs but loosen these as soon as any shoots appear so the cover does not squash the plants. Another useful tip - do not sow too near the edge.

As seedlings grow, move on to using Climair film perforated forcing film to stop the soil drying out. Made from transparent polyethylene, this film creates optimum conditions for photosynthesis.

-  When it comes to planting young crops out, encourage their growth by using Green Starter, cones with a wide opening at the top for efficient ventilation. These cones provide plants with effective protection from frosts and other inclement weather, not forgetting garden pests.

-The Bell cloche is ideal for forcing and overwintering all kinds of plant - salad, courgettes, tomatoes, ornamental plants - whether they are at the sprouting or growth stage. Flexible and very warming, the cloche is adaptable to the needs of amateur gardeners and can be used to force just a few plants at a time depending on requirements.

  • Forcing and growing plants

    For large volumes of plants, forcing film offers excellent protection against those first hoar frosts, excess water and insect damage:

    -  Climafilm specialist forcing film for early crops is transparent and guarantees a good yield by generating a microclimate and giving effective protection from the rain, wind and frosts. Placed over a cloche tunnel, the film enables young shoots to grow healthily and stops the soil from drying out.

    Under the shelter of Climafilm Pro clear yellow forcing film for vegetables, your kitchen garden will thrive to its full potential. Use this film to control the excesses of heat and cold often seen during March when no two days are the same. For use with a hooped frame, the film is flexible and easy to handle.

    A cloche tunnel with rigid hoops is another effective way to force plants:

    - A perforated retractable cloche tunnel such as the Aero tunnel can be used to grow vegetables at the start of the season and in winter. It can be folded and unfolded to requirements, warms the soil by a few degrees and offers protection against the cold, sunlight, the rain and pests.

    -The Easytunnel has retractable pre-erected galvanised steel hoops and is perfect for forcing early seedlings.This tunnel is invaluable for growing vegetables at the start of the season and in winter. Its retractable frame makes it easy to set up and you will have no problem boosting the growth of your plants and seeds.

     

    Now it is up to you to choose the most suitable forcing method for your plants and to prolong the pleasures of the garden, even through the winter.