Floating Row Cover

Floating row covers can be very helpful in the garden. They are made from a spun fabric and if you are careful with it, it can last for many years. Although the fabric covers the vegetable rows, it still allows water and sun (although often reduced to about 70%) through. What’s really great about it is what it doesn’t let through.

BENEFITS OF ROW COVER

What it doesn’t let through are insects like cabbage root flies which emerge from the ground and burrow into the plant, sometimes killing it. Those plants that don’t die are often weak, don’t produce much and may not taste very good. There are also moths will lay eggs on the plant that later become worms before maturing into moths. These worms are not only unsightly and kinda gross but they are also damaging to the produce. 

Another benefit is that row cover  tends to protect plants from any chickens that might roam your garden. I know that my chickens completely leave rows that are covered alone while they will peck about in other rows, not caring if they uproot seedlings in the effort to find bugs. 

WHEN TO USE THE COVER

Because the cabbage root fly emerges in April, at least in my area, and again later in summer, it is better to cover things in the brassica family all summer long. These would be vegetables like cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, and celeriac. Just put it on loose enough so that it doesn’t interfere with the plants growth yet secure enough that the edges area all firmly against the soil. 

You can lay the cover right on the plants or install some hoops, as you might for a small cloche and lay the fabric over the hoops so it is suspended above the plants. Then you can either use landscape staples to pin the edges down or simply mound a bit of soil around the edges to hold it down. 

CARING FOR ROW COVER

As mentioned, if you take care of your row cover, it will last much longer than what some folks might say. At the end of the season, I rinse mine with a hose, then wash it in the washing machine on delicate and then hang it on the clothesline. Then I fold it up and store it in a box in the garden shed until I need it again. I have been using hte same row cover for 12 years and am just now ready to replace it and this is only because I caught it on some brambles and tore it.

Comment below to tell us about your experience with row cover and how it is working for you. 

Now that you have read about row cover, you might want to read about some of the beneficial insects in your garden. Mason bees and wasps.

Comment below to share  some of your methods for dealing with garden pests.

To learn more about Marilene, Songcroft, and permaculture ethics, visit www.songcroft.com. Oh, and if you like this article, you will love our courses.