What is a floating row cover or row cover?

Maya Papaya on Fri 21 May - 19:21

I see this term a lot. Are they just talking about a plastic cover like the one I already have constructed? If so, what is meant by the term floating?

What is a floating row cover or row cover? Dsc01828

Thanks,

Maya Papaya

Ha-v-v on Fri 21 May - 20:00

Good question Maya !!! I picture floating things like levitation Smile

, but figured they were movable like what you have? I love what you have done with your garden !! I love being self sufficient, you are more so !!! Good job and please keep sharing all the pictures, your strawberries looked so good !
Ha-v-v

Maya Papaya on Fri 21 May - 20:13

Aww...thanks Hav-v

Ha-v-v on Fri 21 May - 20:17

You are welcome, its encouraging to see others progress. It prods us on Smile

Ha-v-v

Chopper on Fri 21 May - 20:47

Aha! I always thought floating row covers were those light breathable covers used for insect control. Now I am not sure - unless it is just a generalized term for both.

**timwardell** on Fri 21 May - 21:16

I've always known the term to refer to the lightweight fabric that is used to cover crops - not the clear plastic. For example...
http://www.gardeners.com/Row-Covers/5111,default,pg.html
"Garden fabric (also known as row cover or floating row cover) is a good addition to any gardener's tool shed because it can be used in so many ways:
* Protect plants from cold and wind
* Block insects and prevent spread of disease
* Keep soil and plants from overheating
Garden fabric is easy to use: You can drape the cover right over garden plants or use hoops or a wooden frame to support it. Secure the edges of the fabric with soil or use Earth Staples."

Maya Papaya on Fri 21 May - 21:56

Tim, you're the man for coming through with that info - that is it. Thank you

Maya P

Ha-v-v on Sat 22 May - 9:28

Thank you Maya for asking this question for one and Tim thank you for the info !! I thought.. I will have a trellis system that will work with the floating row cover for bugs !!!! Then it hit me I can do the same for my lettuces with a shade cloth ! I love this forum.
More ideas added to the SFG what more could I ask for ? lolol

Ha-v-v

1chichi on Sat 22 May - 10:28

I used row cover for my lettuce and mustard greens and I love it! What is a floating row cover or row cover? 53366

It kept most of the pests out.
It helps keep the wind off of the fragile greens.
Seedlings grow rapidly under it.
I got the idea from The White House Garden.
In winter, they combine the row cover w/ the plastic on top to grow vegetables
(I can't wait to try this!).
Fun videos=
The set up.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/gardening/2009/12/white_house_vegetable_garden_12.html
The results.
http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/features/gardening/2010/04/white_house_vegetable_garden_u.html

Since, I was ordering seeds from Pinetree (Superseeds), I just ordered 18 ft. of row cover from them at 33 cents/ft
It's fairly thin, kinda tears easily, but still works well. Next time, I will order from somewhere else and get the thicker grade. What is a floating row cover or row cover? Icon_flower

Few Links for row cover. If anyone has better choices/prices please post them.

http://www.dripworksusa.com/store/agribon.php?left

https://www.superseeds.com/products.php?search=row cover

Chopper on Sat 22 May - 17:10

Very cool links. I was actually quite excited to see the covers come off and see the results. Too bad they are not intensive gardening like us, but hey it's better than nothing.

Icemaiden on Sat 22 May - 17:52

@1chichi wrote:It's fairly thin, kinda tears easily, but still works well. Next time, I will order from somewhere else and get the thicker grade.

I've always used the thin sort and but this year bought some of the thicker one. I'm not sure I like it so much. It needs supporting I think as otherwise when it rains it lays flat on the plants, and the rain and can water doesn't seem to go through properly so I have to lift the cover to water. I'm going back to the other sort I think.

Maya Papaya on Sat 22 May - 18:10

SFGing in Iceland! Very cool. Thanks for that info Icemaiden.

Maya Papaya

Maya Papaya on Sat 22 May - 18:27

ChiChi, thanks for the resource.

Maya P

quiltbea on Sat 22 May - 21:37

I think they call it floating row cover because it 'floats' atop the plants without hurting them. It doesn't need staking. It also keeps off the bugs. It also heats up under there a couple of degrees, so when its really hot out, you need to remove them if the crops can't take excessive heat or they're cool-weather like lettuce, spinach and the like that can bolt when it gets too warm.

What is a floating row cover or row cover? 05-15-13

The heavy row cover is used on cold nites and protects down to 28F degrees, thereby preventing frost damage. I have that as well and it works wonders at the earliest part of the season when cold nites pop up now and again. Come September I'll be using it again to extend my harvests.

Maya Papaya on Sat 22 May - 22:06

Thanks quiltbea.

Maya P

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