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Garden Fabric (Row Covers)
Garden fabric (also known as row cover or floating row cover) is a good addition to any gardener's tool shed because it can be used in so many ways:
It's easy to use: You can drape the cover right over garden plants or use wire hoops or a wooden frame to support it. Secure the edges of the fabric with soil or use Earth Staples. Here are some options: All-Purpose Garden Fabric
The All-Purpose Garden Fabric will protect plants from frost damage down to 28 degrees F. The fabric can be cut with scissors to fit over conventional-width rows or used as is for wide row plantings. When not being used, the material should be folded and stored away from sun and moisture. With care it will last several seasons. Summerweight Fabric GardenQuilt Prepare your garden row and seed the area or plant your transplants. Lay the cover directly on the ground or drape it over hoops. We recommend using support hoops for larger transplants, such as peppers or tomatoes, or when covering maturing crops later in the season. If you lay the row cover directly on the soil, do not stretch the material tight. Leave some slack in the center to allow for expansion as the plants develop. As the crop grows, it will push the cover up. Mound soil over the edges of the fabric to keep the cover in place or, fold the edges under 3" and insert our Earth Staples through the fabric and into the soil. If you are using support hoops, be sure to pull the cover taut over the hoops and bury the edges well to keep the fabric secure during windy days. You can also clip the fabric to the hoops with clothespins if wind is a problem. Your seedlings should be checked frequently for moisture and fertilizer needs and for thinning or weeding. Once your seedlings have adapted to the outdoors and the threat of frost is gone, you may remove the All-Purpose Garden Fabric or GardenQuilt from the beds. For insect protection and shade throughout the growing season, Summerweight Fabric may be left in place until harvest. As the season progresses, check your plants to prevent overheating under the fabric (particularly with cool-weather plants like lettuce and broccoli). Remove the cover if you see signs of overheating (leaf damage, blossom drop etc.). Pollination—Don't Forget the Bees!Crops such as peas, strawberries, beans, pumpkins and squash require pollination to produce a harvest. At blossom time, remove or temporarily lift row covers from the beds to allow bees to do their work. Self-pollinating plants, such as tomatoes, can be left covered. However, be aware of the temperatures under row covers. At temperatures above 85 degrees F., tomato pollen may become sterile and peppers will not set fruit (see Signs of Overheating, below). You may need to temporarily lift the covers during the day to release excess heat so the fruit will set. Insect ProtectionGarden covers will keep most insect pests away from your crops as long as plants are completely covered and the edges are securely pinned to the ground. They’ll block aphids, potato beetles, Japanese beetles, grasshoppers, leaf miners, cabbage worms, root maggots, and some vine borers. Be sure to check for pest problems caused by eggs, which may have been laid before the row cover was applied, or insects, which may have entered on the transplants or seedlings. A careful examination of the leaves' undersides will indicate insect activity. If an infestation has occurred, spray with an organic pesticide, or remove the infected plant. Replace covers to keep future insects out. Garden fabrics help break the life cycle of many insects and help prevent reinfestation the following season. Late-Season and Winter Crop ProtectionIn the fall, garden covers can be draped over cold-sensitive crops, such as tomatoes or peppers. Unroll the fabric over the row and mound soil on the edges to secure it. For winter protection of tender perennials, we recommend GardenQuilt. Gardeners who experience mild winters should support covers with hoops or some other support device to keep tender blossoms or new growth from coming into contact with the fabric. When covering tender perennials, wait until the first hard frost, then cut back any dead foliage and mulch around the plants with straw or grass clippings. Then cover the plants. Signs of OverheatingYou'll want to monitor the temperatures under the row covers periodically to make sure it's not too hot. Most plants prefer temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees F. When the air temperature exceeds 90 degrees F, your plants may show signs of stress in the following ways:
If these symptoms occur, remove the cover and/or switch to a cooler cover, such as Summerweight Fabric. Reusing Garden CoversMost covers will last one or two seasons. Some, such as GardenQuilt, will last much longer. You can extend their life by keeping the edges pinned securely, and in windy areas, securing the fabrics tightly over hoops. When not in use, garden fabric should be folded and stored away from sun and moisture. After they become worn, you can repurpose them in many ways:
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