EXTEND FALL CROPS WITH HEAVY DUTY ROW COVERS
Heavyweight material extends fall season by several weeks
Different Kinds Of Row Covers
First thing we need to do here is differentiate between a heavy row cover and a lightweight floating row cover.
A Row Cover - is usually a synthetic material, such as clear plastic (polyethylene) or spunbonded polyester. It is placed directly over rows of crops, and may or may not have, a supporting framework - often, on wire hoops to form a low tunnel. A row cover is usually left in place for several weeks.
A Floating row cover - is an extremely lightweight row cover fabric that can be placed directly over plants, without need for a supporting framework, instead being simply anchored to the ground against wind.
Extending The Growing Season With Heavyweight Row Covers
In the fall, there is more protection by using row covers, because there is a larger reservoir of heat in the soil in the fall than in the spring.
Because of that excess heat in the soil, heavyweight row covers perform very well in protecting late-season tomatoes and peppers from early frosts.
They are also great for extending the growing season by several weeks for cool-weather crops such as carrots, lettuce, and spinach.
Heavyweight row covers
 are almost three times thicker than regular floating row covers, and will protect crops down to 24° F (-4.5 ° C).
They are fast and easy to put on, and with these row covers you can also plant your spring garden a week or two earlier with less risk of frost damage.
In milder areas these heavyweight covers will allow you to pick greens all winter.
The covers delay freezing of soil so you can leave carrots, turnips and other root crops in place and dig them as needed, well into icy weather, and they let 50% of sunlight pass through.
 Most covers will last for several seasons, and you can extend their life by keeping the edges pinned securely in windy areas. When not in use, garden covers should be folded and stored away from sun and moisture.
After row covers become worn, you can reuse them in many ways:
1. Lay pieces of row covers over newly seeded lawns to prevent erosion of seed and soil
2. Place covers under bark mulch or soil to act as a weed barrier
3. Cover your favorite flowering annuals during cold fall nights to extend the growing season
For more information, or to purchase:
Heavyweight Row Covers
|
