COMMUNITY GARDEN GUIDE SEASON EXTENSION FLOATING ROW COVER

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COMMUNITY GARDEN GUIDE. SEASON EXTENSION. FLOATING ROW COVER. Extending the growing season in many Great Lakes States’ gardens is essential if quality …

Website: plant-materials.nrcs.usda.gov | Filesize: 102kb

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COMMUNITY GARDEN GUIDE
SEASON EXTENSION
FLOATING ROW COVER
Extending the growing season in many Great Lakes States’ gardens is essential if quality
vegetables and seed are to be successfully grown. A number of season extension techniques are
available to the gardener. Costs for season extension range from tens of dollars to tens of
thousands of dollars, depending on the type of season extension employed.
Floating Row Covers are lightweight blankets made from spunbonded polyester or
polypropylene. There are two basic types of Floating Row Covers: 1) frost protection, and 2)
insect barrier. If the desire is to protect crops from low temperatures, be sure to purchase the
frost protection type. Floating Row Covers generally come in rolls 6 to 30+ feet wide to nearly
any length desired. Typical lengths range from 50 feet to over 2,000 feet.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES
Advantages Using Floating Row Covers
1) Frost protection, +2-4 F.
2) Wind protection for plant seedlings.
3) Insect protection.
4) Low cost, 1.8 to 2.7?/sq. ft.
5) Transmits light (85% average), water, and air.
6) May be reused 2 to 3 years.
Disadvantages Using Floating Row Covers
1) Disposal costs of worn Floating Row Cover material….