covering a 4x4 box

I'm starting to research the best ways to cover a 4x4 box...here are my questions:

1.  for white cabbage moth protection, what size tuelle will cover a 4x4 bed with hoop method, either crossed or wagon-style?  I've seen 108" x 108" squares for sale on-line for around $15.  The other width I've been seeing is 54" which would lay flat over tiny seedlings but not work over the hoops/ maturing plants.

2.  I could also look at a lightweight Agribon fabric available at a local seed center...I could either buy a long roll and see what fits (overspend $$$)...or try one of their pre-cut squares as well.  Has anyone figured out the closest fabric size for a typical 4x4 SFG raised bed with hoops?

Two 10 ft PVC hoops covered wagon style close to the bed sides.  This method allows access on all 4 sides, but I usually just garden from the ends.  If you don't mind not having full 4 side access, secure the bottom of the tulle to the bed sides with 1x2 strips and garden by unclipping and lowering the tops of the end pieces.  I did this when doing a fall/early winter garden and covering the hoops with plastic.  Helped keep the winter winds out.

 Using the 54" tulle width you have just enough to run the tulle along the 48-50" span along one side of the bed.  It takes 11 ft to then go over the top and clip to the other side span using 7 clips per pole and allow enough to reach the ground for a board or bricks to keep it tight.  Then cut a 6 ft piece and clip the 54" width to the bottoms of the PVC along the 48" bed width.  Then bring the middle straight up to the middle top of the PVC and clip in place.  Adjust and clip down the  rest of the PVC until a tight end piece cover is in place using the same 7 clips from above allowing enough at the base to lay bricks or boards against to keep the bottom tight.  Repeat for the other end.  I buy 8 yds of tulle for each bed @ $2.99 yd full price and 14 one inch binder clips. I usually get 1 growing season spring to late fall/early winter out of the tulle and 2 yrs out of the clips.  The clips do rust.

 When I can catch the 50% off sale, I just buy 2 entire bolts of tulle which, if my memory is right, is 40 yds each.  I have 10 beds to cover.  If I don't cover all the beds have extra to fill in.  I usually get 1 full season out of the cover.  The life of the tulle can be helped by putting a piece of shade cloth over just the top of the hoops, like a 5ft square for plants that appreciate a little shade during the mid summer bake.

If you have tall or climbing or plants that need pollinating, plant so you can move the PVC over one set of 4 squares and still keep the rest of the bed covered. Adjust the tulle to keep it tight.  I still cover the entire bed until either height or blooms demand uncovering,

NOTE:  My beds are 1" cedar boards and I use the same 1" binder clips to clip the bottom of the tulle to my bed sides.  If you have wider lumber, you will need to 

KAY

Kay, Beautiful set up. I love the way you have it elevated off the ground.

Kay, thanks for the info and very nice pics.  I may mock-up a 4x4 bed and see what works best before I decide to cover all my beds.  Maybe I can find some tulle on sale as well.  I've also seen Agribon insect fabric on-line at johnny's seeds...$26 for 118" x 50' roll.

Cabbage moths really did a job on my fall cole crops last year...I used dipel and smashed worms every day and couldn't stop them.  I may use BT this year in addition to coverings.

landarch wrote:Kay, thanks for the info and very nice pics.  I may mock-up a 4x4 bed and see what works best before I decide to cover all my beds.  Maybe I can find some tulle on sale as well.  I've also seen Agribon insect fabric on-line at johnny's seeds...$26 for 118" x 50' roll.

Cabbage moths really did a job on my fall cole crops last year...I used dipel and smashed worms every day and couldn't stop them.  I may use BT this year in addition to coverings.

BT will kill them at the first bite. It one of the organic solutions for Cabbage worms. also agriculture solution might have better deals for your insect barrier, it's under frost blankets category. you'll see it in the decription.

Agribon Frost Blankets

DeWitt Frost Blankets

I haven't used the tulle, but plan on it. it like being able to see thru it to see the plants when i approach them. I used the row covers. that instant gratification is what the tulle provides.

Kay is the tulle listed as clear when I search for it on the internet? where do you buy your tulle?

what about this tulle?

White 108 Inch Nylon Tulle Bolt 50 Yards

landarch wrote:Kay, thanks for the info and very nice pics.  I may mock-up a 4x4 bed and see what works best before I decide to cover all my beds.  Maybe I can find some tulle on sale as well.  I've also seen Agribon insect fabric on-line at johnny's seeds...$26 for 118" x 50' roll.

I have found a major disadvantage (for me anyway) of Agribon compared to tulle.  The big difference is you can't easily see thru the Agribon but it is easy to see thru the tulle.  I like to see my plants growing under the tulle.  And if you are growing something that does not take much attention (broccoli), you can see thru the tulle and never have to open the tulle up to see what is going on (except to maybe add some additional compost).

Has, There are 2 weaves of netting so I can't tell by the add without a close up view. I call the grade I use "bridal veil tulle", a soft floating fine weave that bridal veils are made from. The other netting is more for costumes or skirt ruffling. The price of the one in the advertisement makes me think it is the rougher one with coarse weave. In fact, I use it to screen worms from their castings and yet a few make it through!! I washed all my bridal tulle from summer 2014 on the gentle cycle and put them away for the winter. Then I changed the design of my frames and found I needed 108".

You can buy 108" bridal veil tulle from Joann's Fabrics or Hancock Fabrics. Using a coupon, you can save 40-50%.

sanderson, where do you get this coupon?
what about this?
54" x 120 feet Extra Large Wedding Tulle Bolt Party Supplies - White or this

Tulle Bolt (108"x 50 yds)White

Tulle Fabric 108 Inch x 50 Yards

Just going on price, the middle one seems the most likely. It also mentions bridal. The normal price here is $2.99 / yard for 108".

Here's a store in your area.  Joann's Fabrics, 2640 W University Drive, Denton, TXJust type in Denton, TX:
http://www.joann.com/stores
Coupon this week is 30% off.  Call to see if they have any in stock.
http://www.joann.com/coupon/

thank you for finding the coupon.  will check.

The coupons change weekly or so. Next week they may be 40% or 50% off. Call first to make sure they have some in stock.

I get my tulle from Joanne's Fabrics or Hancock Fabrics.  I started out using the 108" wide , but changed to 54" when I developed my "dressing the brides" system.  But it depends on what I can get on sale so sometimes I just split the tulle in half.   I tried using the agribon one year but didn't like it.  It has no give and seemed to tear faster when going in and out of the beds often.  But I do like the agribon for an inner frost layer hoop under the higher plastic wrapped hoop for winter.  I also like using it as the 5x5 shade topper.  And I also like to spray with BT occasionally. 

And +1 on being able to see through it.

Kay

I tried tulle last season and have discontinued using it.
Tulle worked out nicely, however in a short time became brittle, at the end of the season it fell apart when I removed it.
I found this material at Joannn Fabric that I used on my lower areas, it blew with the wind, I could wind it up and down whenever I need to open an area.it was soft & pliable, I just liked it.
Normally $2.99 or $3.99 I forget, however it goes on sale from time to time and I just picked up the remaining role in Dec.
Top of the enclosure is tulle, all around bottom is the material I am referring to. Not as tiny as tulle, but did the job for me.
At the end of the season it was as good as new, so I tossed it into a bag for next season.

Jimmy, I've typed 3 times and the content keeps disappearing! Your material looks like beach wear cover up. Durable and easy to handle.

Jimmy, can you help us out. what is the lower half material.
Sanderson, joann has a 50% off coupon too. thanks.

I found this luckily, posted it last year and it was back in my files

$3.99 per yard, runs 3 foot wide.
I stopped in today and glad I did, it was on sale for $2.99 a yard, I just picked up the rest on a roll.
It's 100% polyester with hemmed seams.
Utility Fabric / mesh white.
bar code is  194 - 8439
made in china

Enlarge this image

jimmy cee wrote:I found this luckily, posted it last year and it was back in my files

$3.99 per yard, runs 3 foot wide.
I stopped in today and glad I did, it was on sale for $2.99 a yard, I just picked up the rest on a roll.
It's 100% polyester with hemmed seams.
Utility Fabric / mesh white.
bar code is  194 - 8439
made in china

Enlarge this image

thnaks jimmy. is this the same thing that's in your pictures? where did you buy it? a place like joAnn

Yes Joann Fabrics

jimmy cee wrote:Yes Joann Fabrics

jimmy. please be patience with me, but let me ask you again. A fabric that goes past one year and keeps the dread cabbage moth out. is this right? 

why do you only use it on the lower half and not all over?

hass55
Not to worry, I have the patience of a saint...  

Last season was the first in covering anything. I did it mainly for cucumber beetles and guess what ?
I didn't plant any cucumbers there..LOL..
Started with the frame of course ( will be changed this season )
I really did not like the tulle, I tend to desire more permanent items, what I found at Joann's seemed to be just that.
Very flexible, strong, and seems to be durable. When the season was over I decided why leave it out and exposed for all those months of cold weather.
I unhooked it all , bundled up in a bag till next season...and I did pick up more at discounted rates.

When I removed the tulle it disintegrated and I didn't like that., I do enough stuff that disintegrates.
Cabbage moth is to big to get through those holes. Some smaller bugs have, however I have found when they do and find they cannot get out, all they do is spend time trying to get out..

I may still lay tulle on the top of my new enclosure because It won't need to be uncovered.
Having that bar running across where I had it was bothersome and in the way...my newer frame will have the bar up high enough not to hinder access. 
Here's a pic of what I am hoping to build this season for 1 bed, got this from some one here.  or possible just trying to do away with my cross piece.

jimmy cee wrote:hass55
Not to worry, I have the patience of a saint...  

Last season was the first in covering anything. I did it mainly for cucumber beetles and guess what ?
I didn't plant any cucumbers there..LOL..
Started with the frame of course ( will be changed this season )
I really did not like the tulle, I tend to desire more permanent items, what I found at Joann's seemed to be just that.
Very flexible, strong, and seems to be durable. When the season was over I decided why leave it out and exposed for all those months of cold weather.
I unhooked it all , bundled up in a bag till next season...and I did pick up more at discounted rates.

When I removed the tulle it disintegrated and I didn't like that., I do enough stuff that disintegrates.
Cabbage moth is to big to get through those holes. Some smaller bugs have, however I have found when they do and find they cannot get out, all they do is spend time trying to get out..

I may still lay tulle on the top of my new enclosure because It won't need to be uncovered.
Having that bar running across where I had it was bothersome and in the way...my newer frame will have the bar up high enough not to hinder access. 
Here's a pic of what I am hoping to build this season for 1 bed, got this from some one here.  or possible just trying to do away with my cross piece.

thank you. great info.   and back at you. 

I pick this up from Joann this afternoon for 50% off. I hope it works and last a while.

Utility Fabric Mosquito Netting White