Cold Protection Fabrics

Fleece
What is fleece used for? What are the benefits? Fleece is a very light, white polyspun fabric sometimes called a floating row cover which is placed over plants, without support, in the early spring. It is light enough to be supported by almost any young, tender plant. Fleece creates a semi-greenhouse environment, raising the air temperature approximately 10-15 degrees underneath it. This makes it ideal for starting plants early in the spring. Especially in areas that have a short summer, the effect of using the fabric can more than double the harvest of some vegetables. Tomatoes, for instance, will not grow at all until the temperature rises above 65 degrees. Fleece will get the plants to that temperature several weeks before the outside temperature gets that high. Fleece can also protect against light frosts. Fleece also is an effective screen for insects and can potentially keep the plants insect-free in the vulnerable early stages of development. For more information see in yardener.com the file
Extending The Vegetable Growing Season

 

 

Harvest Guard® by Gardeneer


This floating row cover (also called fleece) traps heat and moisture to produce bigger, better and earlier crop yields

Harvest Guard fleece protects vegetables against frost both in the spring and in the fall.

Fleece can be used to protect vegetables from some of the more pesky insect pests including Cucumber Beetle, Squash Vine Borer, Asparagus Beetle, and Squash Bug,

Harvest Guard can be used to protect plants from song birds which can sometimes be a pest. Valuable songbirds such as Cardinals nibbling on ripe tomatoes and Catbirds stealing your blue berries.

Easy to use - "floats" over crops without support , while it lets water, light, and air through to the plants.

Comes In Two Sizes:
# HG-25: 5'x25'
# HG-50: 5'x50'

Usage ideas:
Use Harvest Guard fleece on vegetable gardens, strawberry rows, and young seedlings or transplants. It can also use on newly-sown grass to improve germination and protect seed against birds.








For garden and plant protection:
- Prepare garden plot and plant seeds, seedlings, and young plants.
- Unfold Harvest-Guard® Cover to desired length (cut in sections if necessary).
- Drape cover loosely over seed bed or plants to allow plenty of slack for plants which grow upright (like tomatoes and peppers).
- Secure Cover

What is Harvest-Guard used for? What are the benefits?

Harvest-Guard is a floating row cover (also called “Fleece”) which is placed over plants, without support, in the early spring. It is light enough to be supported by almost any young, tender plant. Harvest-Guard creates a semi-greenhouse environment, raising the air temperature approximately 10-15 degrees underneath it. This makes it ideal for starting plants early in the spring. Especially in areas that have a short summer, the effect of using the fabric can more than double the harvest of some vegetables. Tomatoes, for instance, will not grow at all until the temperature rises above 65 degrees. Harvest-Guard will get the plants to that temperature several weeks before the outside temperature gets that high. Harvest-Guard can also protect against light frosts. Harvest Guard also is an effective screen for insects and can potentially keep the plants insect-free in the vulnerable early stages of development. For more information see the file Extending The Vegetable Growing Season

If it keeps insects off, what about pollinating insects?

Some plants must be pollinated for fruiting, such as early peas, zucchini, or any flowering fruit-bearing plant. Insects, especially bees, are the agents to see that this happens. You MUST remove the fabric every few days to be certain that pollination will occur.

Can you double layer Harvest-Guard for added protection against frost?

Yes, doubling, even tripling the fabric will hold more heat in and give more protection especially when frosting occurs. The multiple layers help hold the heat in and deflect the cooling, drying winds for significant protection. However, on particularly cold nights, or when the cold lingers as when a cold front comes through, Harvest-Guard will not be able to protect the plant without extra heat being added, or insulation applied, such as a blanket


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