Protection without a greenhouse or polytunnel

[CityChick]

I haven't got a greenhouse or polytunnel on my allotment (and no plans to put one up).

What else could I use to protect plants to get them off and growing as early as possible?

I've used fleece on potatoes before to protect from frost...

Any ideas for making cloches or cold frames (the cheaper the better )

Anyone tried the Wallo'water things?

Any other ideas - I'd really like to extend the growing season as much as I can...

Thanks for any suggestions!

[Geordie]

Here are some ideas that may get you started.

A free version of the Wallowater is as follows....surround area with plastic milk or squash bottles and lie a pane of glass over the top. The 1L type plastic milk bottles are best as they are squareish from top to bottem....less gaps! This tends to work best around an individual plant untill it reaches a decent size, eg courgette or marrow etc.
Glasiers will sell you a square of horticultural glass (approx 2' sq) for about £3, or will cut it to size for free.
Cloches and cold frames come in many guises.....invariably you will see men digging up the road...gas pipe (yellow) or water pipe (blue) can be got as offcuts simply by asking. This is then stuck in the soil to form an arch, cover the arch with polythene, heaping soil on the edges to secure it.

The simplest way to make a cold frame.....window companies (double glazing) are usually more than happy to give you an odd window, (even ask the fitters working at a house....it is less work for them!). Make a simple wooden frame and place window frame on top. (This depends on your diy skills I guess).

Good luck