Q. We use a white,
breathable fabric for some of our tender desert plants when there’s a chance of
freezing temperatures. We’re at a 3000
foot elevation on the eastern slope of the Spring Mountain Range and
temperatures can be 8° F more or less than those reported at McCarren International Airport. We go by the plant description temperatures and for 30 degree forecasts we cover those that could be damaged down to 20 F degrees. Can the fabric be left on continuously for long periods of time even
though nighttime temps are higher than 32 degrees if it’s anticipated that in a week
or two or more temperatures will drop again below freezing? Some folks who sell this product say
it can be left on all winter but I thought I had better check with you.
A. Yes you can leave it on! This
is a major advantage with these types of products specifically made for protecting
plants from light freezes. They are called by several different names including
crop covers, floating row covers, frost blankets and floating row crop covers.
breathable fabric for some of our tender desert plants when there’s a chance of
freezing temperatures. We’re at a 3000
foot elevation on the eastern slope of the Spring Mountain Range and
temperatures can be 8° F more or less than those reported at McCarren International Airport. We go by the plant description temperatures and for 30 degree forecasts we cover those that could be damaged down to 20 F degrees. Can the fabric be left on continuously for long periods of time even
though nighttime temps are higher than 32 degrees if it’s anticipated that in a week
or two or more temperatures will drop again below freezing? Some folks who sell this product say
it can be left on all winter but I thought I had better check with you.
 |
| Row crop cover used for cold protection for vegetable row crops |
A. Yes you can leave it on! This
is a major advantage with these types of products specifically made for protecting
plants from light freezes. They are called by several different names including
crop covers, floating row covers, frost blankets and floating row crop covers.
Some
background on these products will help you understand them. These covers are flexible,
nearly transparent, extremely lightweight and made from fabrics that are typically
spun or woven.
background on these products will help you understand them. These covers are flexible,
nearly transparent, extremely lightweight and made from fabrics that are typically
spun or woven.
They
“breathe” allowing light, rain and air movement through them but still capture
heat coming from the ground. They transmit so much light that there shading
effect on plants is only somewhere around 15 to 20%.
“breathe” allowing light, rain and air movement through them but still capture
heat coming from the ground. They transmit so much light that there shading
effect on plants is only somewhere around 15 to 20%.
They
gained fame primarily in commercial vegetable production about 30 years ago for
two distinct reasons; protection of vegetables from light frosts and earlier
production. When left on permanently during cool weather, they can raise air
temperatures under the fabric about 5 to 6° F which causes vegetables to grow
faster which in turn means they can be harvested earlier.
gained fame primarily in commercial vegetable production about 30 years ago for
two distinct reasons; protection of vegetables from light frosts and earlier
production. When left on permanently during cool weather, they can raise air
temperatures under the fabric about 5 to 6° F which causes vegetables to grow
faster which in turn means they can be harvested earlier.
Besides
protecting young tender plants from freezing temperatures and growing faster,
they also provide another valuable advantage; insect protection. In organic
production they are a valuable asset to leafy greens that can be damaged from
wind, intense sunlight or chewing insects.
protecting young tender plants from freezing temperatures and growing faster,
they also provide another valuable advantage; insect protection. In organic
production they are a valuable asset to leafy greens that can be damaged from
wind, intense sunlight or chewing insects.
Row crop covers are placed over new seedlings or
transplants and kept from blowing away with metal staples and a soil covering
the edges. They are also used as a covering for low tunnels used in vegetable
production.
transplants and kept from blowing away with metal staples and a soil covering
the edges. They are also used as a covering for low tunnels used in vegetable
production.