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Low tunnel with Tufflite plastic and Agribon-19 row cover.
Photo: Liz Bosak. |
When nighttime temperatures dip towards 32 degrees Fahrenheit, many vegetable plants benefit from some frost protection.
Commercial row cover fabrics, such as Agribon 19, provide about 2-3 degrees of frost protection. Heavier weight row cover can provide closer to 5 degrees Fahrenheit. In general, the heavier the fabric means less light penetration. Adding a layer of greenhouse plastic adds at least 9 degrees. If you don't have a commercial row cover fabric, you can use a old sheet for the night and remove in the morning.
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| Low tunnel with Agribon -19 row cover. Photo: Liz Bosak. |
The trickiest part of effectively covering plant rows is supporting the cover above the plants if possible and securing the cover. Sandbags filled with sand, gravel, or soil work well. The row cover pegs only work well in loose, deeply tilled soil or in sandy soil. Shovel fulls of soil placed on the edge of the row cover takes time but it's free.
What to watch out for: 1. if the daytime temperatures go above 60 degrees, it is best to remove the row cover fabric.2. if using row cover + plastic, remove both layers during the day if temperature exceeds 60 F. These recommendations are for cool weather loving crops such as spinach, lettuce, broccoli, kale, mustard greens, arugula, and peas.
Supporting the row cover with wire, galvanized steel, or pvc/plastic hoops prevents the frost from significantly damaging the plants where the leaves touch the frosty row cover at night.
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