Spring weather can be a wild ride. One day it’s sunny and warm, and the next, you’re pulling out your coat again. You’ve planted your vegetable garden, excited to watch it grow, and then… A surprise frost shows up in the forecast. What can a gardener do?
This is where floating row covers, also known as frost cloth or garden fabric, come in handy. These lightweight covers are made of spun plastic, but they feel more like thick tissue paper. Unlike plastic sheeting, row covers allow sunlight, air, and water to pass through while providing a protective barrier against frost and pests.
Floating row covers can give your tender transplants an extra layer of insulation when temperatures dip as low as 28°F. Simply drape them over your plants when you transplant them and leave them in place until the weather is consistently warm. Since they let in light and moisture, you don’t have to remove them for watering.
Beyond frost protection, row covers serve another important role—they can help keep pests at bay. Many gardeners leave them on even after the danger of frost has passed to prevent insects like flea beetles, cabbage moths, and aphids from attacking young plants.
So, if you’re dealing with unpredictable spring weather, keep floating row covers in your gardening toolkit. A little bit of protection can go a long way in keeping your plants safe and thriving!
Happy Gardening,
Karen
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