Kitchen Garden Forum

Where can I get metal hoops for putting mesh etc over.
I've seen good size aluminium ones (about 4x2 ft) for sale but they are quite expensive.
I can't bend wire, I've tried before and if it's thin enough to bend it's too weak, and if it's strong enough, eg coathanger strength or more I can't bend it.

Hello Sandy
I'm not quite sure what size hoops you're looking for but Twowests do these aluminium ones which are 24in wide and 18in high (when in soil).

http://www.twowests.co.uk/TwoWestsSite/product/CHP.htm

I got a set last year and have been very impressed with them. The horizontal bars are an excellent idea as the whole thing becomes much more rigid, the end hoops don't get pulled over when you tighten the netting and netting doesn't sag between the hoops. I had some spare 6ft tubing of theirs so the 12ft became a 24ft cloche. They're not cheap but should last forever.

John