How to Make a Plant Dome

Individual plant domes called "hot caps" or "hot tents" protect plants from wind, cold and frost. Hot caps are helpful in protecting newly transplanted seedlings at the beginning of the growing season. They only provide protection down to 29 or 30 degrees Fahrenheit, so don't plant too early thinking the hot caps will work like a greenhouse. Hot caps need to cover the plants, but also provide some ventilation for sufficient air exchange.

Plastic milk jug
Box cutter or scissors
Stake

Instructions

- 1
  Take the lid off a 1-gallon plastic milk jug and discard it.
- 2
  Cut the bottom of the milk jug off with a box cutter or scissors.
- 3
  Place the bottomless, cap-less milk jug over your seedling in the garden.
- 4
  Push a thin garden stake through the opening of the milk jug and into the soil to secure the jug to the ground.
- 5
  Mound up the soil around the bottom edge of the jug slightly.
- 6
  Leave the hot cap over the plant for 7 to 10 days.
- 7
  Check on the plant under the hot cap regularly and remove the hot cap before the plant becomes crowded or if the weather gets hot.

What Factors Determine the Modern Global Geography of Agriculture?

What Other Plants Go With the Lily Tree?

Outdoor Growing