Row cover

The next installment in my gardening musings:

Use ½ inch CPVC tubing, cut into 5' lengths, one every 3-4 feet. I have used garden staples, but I think using firring strips would be good on the north side—still using staples on the south. The row cover claims to protect down to 29ºF, but I used it this winter over kale and it did fine. In the hoop house, the extra protection has been good to well below zero on spinach and green onions. I read that the moisture freezes to the row cover and creates a nice barrier, reflecting the ground heat back on the plants.

Keep all broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and cabbage plants covered, if at all possible. Otherwise, you will have cabbage butterflies laying eggs and caterpillars will eat your dinner :( Be sure to look under the row cover about once a week for weeds. They can get away from you if they are out-of-sight, out-of-mind...