hoop clips

[Florence Fennel]

Hello everyone, can someone tell me where to get cheap "hoop clips" or is there some magic bulldog clip I can use to secure fleece over the hoops on my raised beds please? I have seen them in Harrods Horticultural, but they're expensive.
Many thanks

[bubblewrap]

If the fleece is wide enough and reaches the ground both sides why not "pin" it down with bricks?

[Creemteez]

I'm sure I've seen packs of bulldog clips in a Pound Shop, somewhere. They weren't special horticultural ones, but I think they would do the job.
Failing that- wooden clothes pegs?

[zazen999]

I just use bulldog clips.

[Florence Fennel]

Thanks very much. I did try clothes pegs, but they don't make them like they used to, so they didn't last! I will try to get hold of some bulldog clips.

[Gwyndy]

As an alternative to the 'brick method', I make ground pegs from stout galvanised wire. Cut approx 10" lengths and bend the top over with a pair of pliers. Stretch your fleece over the hoops, gather the 'ends', and pin down with one of your pegs. You can peg down along the sides as well if wind is a problem.

[Snadger]

String tied to bottom of hoop.......... and stretched over hoop and either pegged or tied at other end works well!

[FionaH]

I got some bulldog clips the other week for this purpose. £1.50 each! turned out an expensive trip lo

[Gwyndy]

I got some bulldog clips the other week for this purpose. £1.50 each! turned out an expensive trip lo

And bulldog clips will rust very quickly. Sorry FionaH!!

[mrshopeful]

As an alternative to the 'brick method', I make ground pegs from stout galvanised wire. Cut approx 10" lengths and bend the top over with a pair of pliers. Stretch your fleece over the hoops, gather the 'ends', and pin down with one of your pegs. You can peg down along the sides as well if wind is a problem.

That's a great idea, I was wondering how to secure netting over my beds (cat, squirrel and bird prevention) as I used some spare tent pegs and two hours later found my cat asleep in the middle of the bed underneath the netting she must have wriggled inside the bit between the pegs.

[Florence Fennel]

I just use bulldog clips.

Hi and thanks, the bulldog clips could have been made for the job. I'm sure they may rust - but they'll do a season hopefully. Thanks everyone else for the tips - I'm using a combination of all of them to warm up and protect the new shoots from pests. Can I also just say that although I'm new to the grapevine, I'm thrilled to feel so welcome and among real growing enthusiasts.

[Florence Fennel]

I got some bulldog clips the other week for this purpose. £1.50 each! turned out an expensive trip lo

Hi Fiona I've been in Wilkinsons today to get some freezer bags and lo and behold on the same shelf were sturdy plastic clips for closing frozen food in bags. They are just made for the job of "pegging" fleece - I wish I had seen them three weeks ago! Bought some as they are only 99p for 10.

[FionaH]

Hi Fiona I've been in Wilkinsons today to get some freezer bags and lo and behold on the same shelf were sturdy plastic clips for closing frozen food in bags. They are just made for the job of "pegging" fleece - I wish I had seen them three weeks ago! Bought some as they are only 99p for 10.

Thanks for that Florence. Guess where I will be on Monday

[Florence Fennel]

Thanks for that Florence. Guess where I will be on Monday

Mine are bright blue, but they are in all colours, bright, cheery and cheap and I wont have to worry about the bulldogs rusting!

[Bramble_killer]

I was planning on putting the hoops on, netting over and pinning down the netting with cheap tent pegs.