A chicken wire cloche is basically the bouncer for your garden: it stands at the door, looks cute doing it,
and politely informs rabbits, squirrels, and “helpful” neighborhood cats that tonight is not their night.
If you’ve ever walked outside to find your seedlings trimmed like a bad haircut, a DIY garden cloche is the kind
of low-effort, high-satisfaction project that makes you feel like you’ve unlocked a gardening cheat code.
In the Hometalk spirit (simple materials, big payoff, and a little “why didn’t I do this sooner?” energy),
this guide shows you a few easy ways to make a chicken wire cloche: a fast free-form dome, a sturdier tomato-cage
version, and a “use-what-you’ve-got” hack with a wire basket or lampshade frame. You’ll also learn when a cloche
helps with temperature and when it’s mostly a critter cagebecause a cloche that overheats your plants is just a
tiny, accidental sauna.
What Is a Cloche (and What It Isn’t)?
Traditionally, a cloche is a bell-shaped cover placed over plants to protect them from cold and wind and to create
a mini greenhouse effect. Modern cloches can be glass, plastic, fabric, or DIY contraptions made from everyday items.
A chicken wire cloche is usually more of a physical barrier than a heat-trapping cover, unless you add
plastic or fabric. Think: “pest protection cage” first, “season extension” second.
When a Chicken Wire Cloche Shines
- Critter control: Protect lettuce, seedlings, strawberries, and young transplants from nibblers.
- Damage prevention: Shields plants from foot traffic, pets, and accidental hose-drive-bys.
- Support for covers: Acts as a frame for frost cloth or insect netting when needed.
When You Need More Than Chicken Wire
- Frost protection: Add frost cloth, clear plastic (with ventilation), or a dedicated cover.
- Season extension: Use plastic cloches/covers, cold frames, or tunnels for real warmth gains.
- Heat waves: Wire is fine; plastic covers need daily venting so you don’t cook your basil.
Materials and Tools
Basic Materials
- Chicken wire (also called poultry netting). Choose a mesh size that blocks the pests you actually have.
- Fasteners: scrap wire, zip ties, or small wire clips.
- Anchors: landscape staples, garden stakes, U-pins, or even sturdy tent stakes.
- Optional frame: a tomato cage, wire wastebasket, or an old lampshade frame.
Tools (Don’t Skip the Safety Stuff)
- Wire cutters / tin snips
- Pliers (needle-nose helps)
- Work gloves (unless you enjoy being poked by tiny metal betrayal)
- Eye protection (wire ends can spring back)
- Measuring tape (optional but useful)
Design 1: The Quick Free-Form Chicken Wire Cloche
This is the simplest, most “make it in one coffee” version. It’s perfect for protecting small plants, seedlings,
and anything that keeps getting sampled like a free grocery-store appetizer.
Step-by-Step
-
Measure the space you need.
Give your plant breathing room: aim for a diameter wide enough to cover the plant plus a little growing space,
and a height that clears the foliage comfortably. -
Cut a rectangle of chicken wire.
Cut it long enough to wrap into a circle and tall enough to form the dome. If you’re unsure, cut biggeryou can trim later. -
Form a cylinder.
Bring the short ends together and overlap by a couple of mesh openings. Twist cut wire ends around the opposite side to lock it in,
or use small pieces of scrap wire/zip ties at several points (top, middle, bottom). -
Create the dome.
Gently squeeze the top edge inward and pinch it closed to make a rounded cap. Twist the wire where the top meets to hold the shape.
If you want a more “bell” silhouette, pinch gradually in several spots instead of one dramatic squish. -
Tame the sharp edges.
Fold any pokey ends back into the mesh with pliers. This step is the difference between “rustic charm” and “blood sacrifice.” -
Add a handle (optional).
Twist a small loop of wire at the top so you can lift it easily. A loop makes it more user-friendly and less “grab anywhere and regret it.” -
Anchor it.
Push the bottom edge slightly into soil and pin it down with landscape staples or stakes. Wind is undefeated, so give it competition.
Best Uses
- Protecting newly planted starts (lettuce, kale, herbs, young annuals)
- Shielding strawberries and low crops from squirrels and birds
- Creating a frame for insect netting during pest-heavy weeks
Design 2: The Tomato Cage Chicken Wire Cloche
This method is a favorite in DIY circles because the tomato cage provides instant structure. It’s sturdier,
easier to lift, and looks more “store-bought” when you’re done.
Step-by-Step
-
Flip and shape the tomato cage.
Turn the cage upside down so the wider ring becomes the base. If your cage has long legs, bend or gather them at the top to create a dome point.
Secure the gathered legs with wire or a heavy-duty zip tie. -
Work in sections (trust this tip).
Lay the chicken wire flat and attach it to one “panel” of the cage at a time. Cutting and fastening panel-by-panel helps prevent bulges and weird overlaps,
and keeps the mesh pattern neat. -
Attach the chicken wire.
Starting at the bottom ring, bend the wire edge around the metal ring and secure it. Use small twists of wire or zip ties at multiple points.
Continue upward section by section. -
Trim as you go.
As the cage narrows, you’ll likely need angled cuts. Keep trimming so the wire lays flat and doesn’t buckle. -
Finish the top cleanly.
Fold sharp ends inward and secure them tightly near the top gather point. -
Optional: paint it.
If you want a more decorative cloche, spray it with an outdoor metal-safe paint. Let it cure fully before placing on plants.
Why This One Works So Well
- Stable shape: no collapsing when you lift it
- Easy access: lift the whole cloche to weed or harvest
- Multi-season: durable enough to store and reuse for years
Design 3: The “Use What You’ve Got” Basket or Lampshade Cloche
If you like projects that begin with, “I found this in the garage,” this one’s for you. A wire wastebasket can become an instant cloche.
An old lampshade frame can make a lovely bell shapeespecially if you want something decorative for a porch planter or tabletop vignette.
Wire Basket Version (Fastest)
- Choose a sturdy wire basket (mesh tight enough for your pests).
- Remove any plastic rim or liner.
- Optional: add chicken wire if the basket holes are too largewrap and zip-tie it in place.
- Anchor it well with stakes or heavy pins so it doesn’t become yard art in a windstorm.
Lampshade Frame Version (Most Decorative)
- Use the lampshade skeleton as the frame. Clean it and check for sharp points.
- Wrap chicken wire around the frame and secure it along the vertical ribs with wire or zip ties.
- Add a top knob (optional): a wooden ball, finial, or a small handle makes lifting easier and adds charm.
- Paint or leave raw depending on your style (farmhouse, cottage, modern garden minimalism, etc.).
How to Use Your Cloche Like a Pro
1) Anchor for Wind (and Determined Animals)
Even a perfect cloche fails if a rabbit can nose it aside. Push the bottom edge slightly into soil, then add staples or stakes around the perimeter.
If you’re protecting something especially delicious (like tender lettuce), consider extra pinsbecause rabbits are basically tiny, fluffy locksmiths.
2) Add Fabric for Insects or Frost
Chicken wire stops chewing. It doesn’t stop cold air. If frost is expected, drape frost cloth over the cloche and clip it in place,
making sure the fabric reaches the ground to trap warmer air from the soil. If you use plastic for more heat, vent it during sunny days so plants don’t overheat.
3) Ventilation Matters (Especially With Plastic)
If you add clear plastic or use any non-breathable cover, treat it like a mini greenhouse: open or vent it when the sun comes out, then close it again at night.
Overheating can happen quickly, even when the outdoor temperature feels mild.
4) Keep Soil Moisture in Check
Covers can change how soil dries out. Check moisture regularly, especially with fabric or plastic added. The goal is protected plantsnot a surprise drought
or a swampy situation that invites fungus.
5) Pollinators Need Access
If the cloche is covering flowering crops that rely on pollinators (or you want your bees to keep liking you),
remove the cloche during bloom or open it during the day.
Common Mistakes (So You Don’t Learn the Hard Way)
- Skipping gloves: Chicken wire is not a “hands-only” craft supply.
- Not anchoring: A cloche that moves is basically an unlocked door.
- Too small: Plants grow fast; give room so leaves aren’t pressed against wire or fabric.
- Covering with plastic and forgetting ventilation: Great for starting seeds, terrible for surprise plant soup.
- Leaving sharp edges: Fold and crimp ends inward so you can reuse it without fear.
Quick Customizations That Make It Look “Finished”
- Add a handle: wire loop, rope loop, or a small finial.
- Paint it: matte black, bronze, or green can blend beautifully into beds and containers.
- Label it: a weatherproof tag can mark what’s protected underneath (helpful if you use several).
- Convert to insect protection: swap chicken wire for finer hardware cloth or add insect netting.
When a Chicken Wire Cloche Is the Best Choice
If your main problem is animals and physical damage, chicken wire cloches are hard to beat. They’re reusable, customizable, and cheaper than replacing plants
every week. For temperature control, think of the wire cloche as a frame: add frost cloth, row cover, or plastic strategically (and vent as needed).
Experience-Based Tips People Learn After Making a Few Cloches (About )
DIYers tend to discover two truths quickly: (1) chicken wire is both incredibly useful and mildly disrespectful to human skin, and (2) the “best” cloche is the one
you’ll actually use daily without groaning. The first time someone makes a cloche, it often starts with big optimism and ends with a small collection of scratches
that look like they lost an argument with a metal pineapple. That’s why many makers swear by gloves, long sleeves, and using pliers to fold every sharp edge inward.
It takes a few extra minutes, but it also means you’ll reuse your cloches instead of avoiding them like they’re haunted.
Another common lesson: shape matters more than you think. Free-form domes are fast, but if you plan to lift the cloche often for watering, weeding,
or harvesting, a structured frame (like a tomato cage) feels dramatically easier. People who grow salad greens, for example, tend to lift cloches frequentlysometimes
dailyso they prefer a design with a built-in handle or a top loop that’s comfortable to grab. Even a simple wire loop at the top can turn “annoying chore” into
“quick garden check.” And if you’re making multiple cloches, adding a consistent handle style makes them feel like a set rather than a pile of wire hats.
Gardeners also report that anchoring is the difference between success and comedy. A cloche that isn’t pinned down may look fine in calm weather,
but wind can scoot it sideways just enough for a rabbit to slip in. The fix is simple: push the bottom edge slightly into the soil and use two to four landscape
staples or stakes around the perimeter. In areas with persistent pests, people often add one extra stake on the side that faces the direction animals usually approach
(like along a fence line). It’s a tiny detail that prevents a lot of disappointment.
When it comes to adding plastic or fabric, experience teaches restraint. Many gardeners love draping frost cloth over wire cloches because it protects plants while
still breathing, which reduces overheating risk. Plastic can be helpful for warmth, but the “real-world” pattern is that people forget to vent it once, see wilted
leaves, and never forget again. The practical routine many settle into is: vent in the morning, cover at dusk if cold threatens, and check soil moisture more often.
Cloches can change how rain and irrigation reach the plant, so experienced users do quick moisture checks with a finger test at the soil line before assuming
everything’s fine.
Finally, lots of makers discover that chicken wire cloches end up doing double duty: they start as pest protection, then become a seasonal tool for supporting
netting (to block cabbage moths) or holding lightweight fabric in place. Over time, DIYers often build a small “cloche toolkit”a few wire domes in different sizes,
a handful of staples, and clips or clothespinsso they can respond quickly to whatever the garden throws at them. It’s not fancy. It’s just smart. And it feels
surprisingly satisfying to outmaneuver a squirrel with something you built in your driveway.