What is row cover, and how do I use it?
Row cover is a fabric that is water permeable, breathable
and will let light through. But one of the main functions of row cover is that it
helps the soil to retain the heat gathered from the sun during the day. It can
raise the temperature of the soil 10 degrees F. That will allow seeds to
germinate or protect tender plants from frost that would normally not survive the cold temperatures. Cover loosely and anchor with
rocks or other heavy items to keep it from blowing away.
Using row cover is very easy and will make a huge difference
in your gardens outcome. A few of the things I have used row cover for is:
·
Covering strawberry patch to help the plants
keep the fragile flowers. If the flowers abort on the strawberries, that would
mean no strawberries. We used it and had a wonderful harvest of strawberries
last year! This was one of the keys to the patches success.
·
Use it to start lettuce and spinach seeds
earlier than normally possible. Plant the seeds, and then cover. You will need
to check the soil moisture every so often because although it lets water
through, it is not getting as much water as being uncovered. As the seedlings
sprout and grow, you will need to raise and support the row cover so that any
moisture that gets on the top will not weigh the cover down and smother the
fragile new seedlings.
·
Cover newly planted squash plants. Covering not
only allows the soil to be warmed and enhances the growth, but helps to keep
bugs that like to eat tender squash plants out. You will need to remove the
cover once the plants start to flower or if the temperature gets above 80
degrees F.
·
It can be used to cover almost anything that
would benefit from warmer temperatures or needs a little bit of protection from
the cold weather.
Row cover will last quite a few years with proper care, but
is a thin material and will rip and wear out from use and exposure to the
elements.
To me, row cover is one of the best things that I have
discovered to use in my garden. Being so easy to use, and the great benefits
from it, I highly recommend you try it out this spring. Happy Gardening!
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