Heavy rain

Chad I. 3/16/2012, 1:14 pm

Will two days of heavy rain damage two inch seedliings in my SFG?

**sfg4uKim** 3/16/2012, 1:18 pm

We're expecting strong thunder storms this afternoon and I've put my SFG's "raincoat" on just to be sure.

Heavy rain Img_0331

kimberlee 3/22/2012, 8:33 am

Our local meteorologist is saying 2-4" of rain for central Maryland this weekend. Last weekend I planted 4 squares of greens and two partial squares of carrots in my new 4x4 box. When we built the box I added the two PVC pipes as shown in the SFG book and have netting and clear plastic draped over them. It's just thin painter's plastic that comes in a big roll, semi-secured with clothespins.

What more should I do in anticipation of all this rain? I could drape a tarp over it, but that would mean two days of no light. I don't want the pounding raindrops to shift the seeds around before they even get a chance to sprout!

Kim

curio 3/22/2012, 8:58 am

If nothing has sprouted yet, I would lay clear plastic right over the soil and secure it to the edges of the bed using a staple gun. It is possible the plastic you have will be alright for this, but being off the ground, it's also possible that water would collect in the center and collapse it onto the bed, allowing the water to gush out over the edges, doing more harm than not having it there at all.

kimberlee 3/22/2012, 9:06 am

Thanks Jan. I have two carrot boxes towards the middle that I was thinking would help prevent the water from pooling. So I should not use the PVC structure to attach the plastic to at this point?

Here's what my setup looks like:
Heavy rain Img_9511

curio 3/22/2012, 9:15 am

You could try, although I would be afraid that with the thin plastic, you might have some issues. I am using 6mm plastic and still have that issue occasionally, although I have to admit, not with the hoop houses with the rounded tops. What I found works well to secure plastic to those pvc hoops are the large black paper clips with the silver "spreaders". I got boxes of 12 at Office Depot (or was it Office Max?) to fasten mine down. I think it was roughly $6 for the box.

**walshevak** 3/22/2012, 10:01 am

Yep, those clips work great. 1" jumbo size fits 1/2" pvc. Office Max had a sale last week buy 2 boxes of 48 get 1 free. $21 a box. Was a good deal for me as I needed 100 clips. Also hold tulles to the hoops for bug protection.

Kay

**sfg4uKim** 3/22/2012, 10:08 am

You can also go to the Dollar Store and pick up a pack of small plastic curlers and use the top part to "clip" different materials to the PVC. The next size up curlers works for thicker materials.

kimberlee 3/22/2012, 10:18 am

Gosh, you all are beyond clever. Binder clips? Curlers? And I've been reading older posts all morning - shower curtain liner as a cover, tulle to keep bugs out, plastic spoons for plant markers, cement mixing tub as a planter. WEALTH of info! (I'm going to have my newly-bridged Boy Scout son whittle me some of those adorable plant markers made from thin branches.)

**walshevak** 3/22/2012, 6:03 pm

sfg4uKim wrote:You can also go to the Dollar Store and pick up a pack of small plastic curlers and use the top part to "clip" different materials to the PVC. The next size up curlers works for thicker materials.

I picked up a pack today and they fit fine, but I'm not sure they will hold in high winds. But I can reduce the number of binder clips per bed and use the plastic curler clips in between. Thanks Kim.

Kay

tomperrin 3/22/2012, 8:44 pm

curio wrote:If nothing has sprouted yet, I would lay clear plastic right over the soil and secure it to the edges of the bed using a staple gun. It is possible the plastic you have will be alright for this, but being off the ground, it's also possible that water would collect in the center and collapse it onto the bed, allowing the water to gush out over the edges, doing more harm than not having it there at all.

I use a plastic cover on my over wintering garlic all winter long. No damage whatsoever. I even had 2" thick sheet ice on top of the square at one point.

Tom

Goosegirl 3/23/2012, 7:33 am

kimberlee wrote:Gosh, you all are beyond clever. Binder clips? Curlers? And I've been reading older posts all morning - shower curtain liner as a cover, tulle to keep bugs out, plastic spoons for plant markers, cement mixing tub as a planter. WEALTH of info! (I'm going to have my newly-bridged Boy Scout son whittle me some of those adorable plant markers made from thin branches.)

We are a thrifty, creative bunch! You have given me an idea for the 'sticks' in the back yard Laughing

(P/U truck full of small branches that didn't get hauled away before winter).

GG

**sfg4uKim** 3/23/2012, 9:19 am

kimberlee wrote:Gosh, you all are beyond clever. Binder clips? Curlers? And I've been reading older posts all morning - shower curtain liner as a cover, tulle to keep bugs out, plastic spoons for plant markers, cement mixing tub as a planter. WEALTH of info! (I'm going to have my newly-bridged Boy Scout son whittle me some of those adorable plant markers made from thin branches.)

"newly-bridged Boy Scout"! LOL if any of his older troop members are looking for Eagle projects OR if the troop ever wants a community project . . . please suggest SFGs : )

kimberlee 3/23/2012, 10:20 am

sfg4uKim wrote:"newly-bridged Boy Scout"! LOL if any of his older troop members are looking for Eagle projects OR if the troop ever wants a community project . . . please suggest SFGs : )

Yes! They have the Bridging Ceremony when the Cub Scouts earn their Boy Scout ranking. They literally walk across a bridge to symbolize their 5 years of hard work. It's very cool, and a proud parent moment.

I think a SFG project would be a great idea!

Kim

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