fleece-how to?

[mrs baggins]

ok so have sorted out that I should be planting carrots and my chitted potatoes but have noticed reference to 'protect with fleece' . I have some of this fleece but should I use a single layer , a double layer? do i just place it over the row seeds I have planted or do I have to spread it over a certain distance each side? these may seem laughably simple questions but just want to be sure before I do something!

[rustylady]

You don't need fleece for potatoes Mrs B. Using it for carrots is to provide protection against carrot root fly. Single layer will be fine, spread it over the row, but allow overlap and remember to anchor it to the ground with stones or pegs. Not too tight or the crop won't be able to grow. Fleece tunnels might be a better idea. My daughter uses old net curtains from charity shops.

[Novice Gardener]

I'm glad that someone else asked this question as I heard there was snow on the way and my garlic, shallots and spring onions have just started to sprout - I planted them all outdoors- so I was wondering how you go about protecting stuff with fleece. Do you just kind of lay the fleece over the sproutings then anchor it down, or do you need to kind of raise it up so the fleece doesn't crush the sproutings?

[alinver]

I found a whole roll of underlay in the loft today. Would this be ok to use as an alternative to fleece? Its the white stuff you use with laminate flooring.

Al

[terrier]

I wouldn't have thought garlic and onions would need any protection at all, they're tough as old boots.

[Paulottie]

Fleece

Carrots.... yes, but it is mainly to stop carrot fly, it does not matter how squashed they are, It is more important to dig in the sides cause the little blighters will get under it. ( it is also a handy tip to use some black plastic for a week or two before early plantings as it encourages the first flush of competing weed seedlings and warms up the soil.... Nothing will germinate under about 8 deg C. No underlay is prob not suitable, too heavy and sunlight restricting for long term use.

Spuds...only when they appear do you need to cover them up on frosty nights, anything, inc underlay (even newspaper at a push) will do but the advantage of fleece is you don't have to take it off again every morning.

Lettuce, salads and early beetroot....fantastically useful for setting out module grown plants and keeping birds off.

Brassicas... with hoops it is great at keeping off the many pests. Also stopping the wildlife poisoning themselves eating the dying slugs and snails... if you must use pellets that is (its not really for me but some do)

Alliums... don't bother, as Terrier said, they're hardy things and very light sensitive. Rot is the enemy there thus good air circulation is more important.

legumes...need to be a bit more inventive here, but its handy initially with early peas (before supporting them), Beans hate a cold wind and can yellow badly in early spring so you can use it for setting out greenhouse raised plants early. There is no point in sowing direct as they will rot if they get into a cold bed.

Strawberries...worth covering now to bring plants on but then you need to remove it during the flowering in April/May to allow pollinating insects. Cover up If there is a late frost during flowering as this will cause flower centres to blacken.

[spud57]

I have some early carrot seedlings in a raised bed under a cloche - would fleece be better?

[Maf]

Remember to open the zip on warm days

[bramble]

Alinvar, The insulation you are talking about is a little heavier than fleece, I am sure you can use it so long as it does'nt crush the seedlings. I usually put it over my plant pots where it does'nt rest on the plants. I also use it to line the metal staging in my greenhouse in the winter as it gives some protection from the cold.

[alinver]

Thanks bramble, I was out today and I think I can pin it to the top of the beds so it doesn't lean on the seedlings, I'll just have to watch out it doesn't collect too much water. Another few quid saved!

Cheers Al

[8LGM]

I've heard that if you intercrop onions the smell keeps off the carrot fly. I've tried spring onions before and didn't get anytrouble with carrot fly. So it may well work.

[Novice Gardener]

oooooo, thanks for that tip. I was going to plant my carrots in the "veggie bed" but I think I'll try them next to the spring onions in the "salad bed" Ta very muchy