How to Make a Wire Plant Cloche

Use chicken wire to create an attractive cloche for plants to keep away hungry critters.

plants covered with chicken wire cloches
Photo:

Better Homes and Gardens

Project Overview
  • Skill Level: Beginner

Traditionally, chicken wire is used to confine poultry for their own good and fence in gardens, protecting plants from hungry rabbits and other critters. It’s no wonder the inexpensive hexagonal mesh proves essential for a gardener’s toolshed. Chicken wire is lightweight yet durable and flexible enough for shaping. The wire netting forms a practical see-through cloche that makes an interesting accent in the garden.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

  • Tape measure
  • Gloves
  • Tin snips
  • Needle-nose pliers
  • Adjustable pliers

Materials

  • 1 12-inch nursery pot
  • Chicken wire
  • Wire lampshade frame
  • Glass doorknob
  • Garden staples

Instructions

  1. using tin snips to cut chicken wire

    Better Homes and Gardens

    Measure and Cut Chicken Wire

    Measure the circumference of the nursery pot that will be used to help form the base of the cloche (a 12-inch-diameter pot has a circumference of approximately 38 inches); wearing gloves and using tin snips, cut a comparable length of chicken wire. Cut chicken wire to the desired height—as tall as or taller than the pot. Cut a semicircular piece of chicken wire to fit around the lampshade frame.

  2. stretching chicken wire to fit around lampshade frame

    Better Homes and Gardens

    Shape Chicken Wire Around Frame

    Wrap the semicircular chicken wire around the lampshade frame, bending and squeezing the wire to fit snugly on the frame to form the top. Cut away excess wire and use needle-nose pliers to wrap cut ends around the chicken wire.

  3. tightening chicken wire with needle-nosed pliers

    Better Homes and Gardens

    Create Chicken Wire Cylinder

    Wrap the length of chicken wire loosely around the pot, forming a cylinder for the cloche bottom. Use needle-nose pliers to wrap any cut ends of the wire around the adjoining chicken wire. Slide the mesh cylinder off the pot.

  4. attaching chicken wire top to cylinder

    Better Homes and Gardens

    Connect Top and Bottom of Cloche

    Attach the cloche bottom (mesh cylinder) to the cloche top. Use adjustable pliers to twist the top edge of the cylinder around the bottom edge of the lampshade frame, wrapping any cut ends and pinching the edges to secure.

  5. topping chicken wire frame with glass doorknob

    Better Homes and Gardens

    Attach Door Knob

    Wiggle and wedge a glass doorknob or other decorative accent into an opening at the cloche top. Use needle-nose pliers to pinch the wire together to hold the knob in place. Snug the bottom edge of the cloche into the garden soil. Use two or three garden staples to hold the cloche firmly in place. This step is crucial to prevent critters from crawling under the cloche.

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