plastic sheet

Hi all
This is my first post and have not had a garden for over twenty years so I am a little naive. I have recently acquired a few raised beds on the site of the old Vetch field in Swansea. I have planted some over wintering vegetables and I am now in the process of making some cloches. The site is only available until a developer is found so I don't want to spend large sums of money on anything. I have been given some green coloured plastic sheet and was just wandering if this is suitable or does it have to be clear.
Many thanks Brian

 

Hi Swansea Jack and welcome to the forum.

I don't think green plastic sheet would be suitable for cloches.

If you hold it up to the light and it looks green its because only green light can pass through the sheet. But if you think about it - green light is the one colour that plants don't want. They can't use it and so they reflect it back. That's why plants look green. They absorb and utilise every other colour except green.

So clear is the only thing to use.

 

Cheapo polytunnels are covered in green polythene, plastic cold frame covers are made from it and 'mini greenhouses' also use green tinted polythene.

 

If it is transparent enough - it could work reasonably. I think green is the green colour, if you see what I mean. Aluminium greenhouses either come as uncoloured silver, or more expensively in green as opposed to any other colour.

If it works with a green which is pretty transparent, I think it will be inspite of rather than because of the colour.

 

Thanks for all of the replies.
I have just taken it outside and seen just how much light or little is getting through it, and if I can see through it, and frankly it's not a great deal. I should have thought of doing something similar before asking the question. Ah well, it looks like I am going to have to spend some money, again many thanks

 

Hello and welcome, well you have already found out what a friendly and knowledgable bunch are here, so look forward to hearing from you again.

Now, maybe you might not have to spend too much... Lots of industrial products are delivered convered in very strong clear poly sheeting - is there and industry or small factories near you?, they well may have stuff delivered wrapped in poly sheets. It might be worth checking with the foreman / works managers if they have any clear sheeting you could have, they would have to pay to get rid of it, so would probably be quite happy to let you have some.

 

You can buy clear heavy duty plastic/polythene cheaply
Just shop around plastic is plastic etc

Just a garden shop will sell you plastic for cloches at £3 a metre
Jewson will sell you heavy duty plastic for underlay of gravel for £1 a metre

Ok I know not all plastic is "plastic" some is UV Protected etc just thoughts to save the iccies


Jack McHammocklashing

 

Thanks again, there are so realy good suggestions in there, many thanks again.