Cover-does it make sense?

[coreopsis]

At the beginning of the week I sowed some stuff(carrots,beetroots and onions) and covered the beds with some foil.The main purpose is to keep neighbouring cats(plenty of them around) away.I'm going to keep the cover on as long as it's possible but as it's transparent will the sunshine damage the seedlings when they emerge?

[oldie]

Not quite sure what you mean by foil. Most people here will tell you that fleece is great for covering carrots as it prevents carrot fly problems, some just erect a barrier of fleece/plastic at least 24" high as allegedly the fly can't go any higher. If you are talking about transparent plastic sheet then bright sunshine may well cause scorching of seedlings. It will also encourage weeds. Onions I find are pretty hardy and I don't cover them but some form of protection may be need to keep the birds from pulling them up.
P.S. Forgot to say that I use either chicken wire or a hedge of twigs, hazel sticks from next doors trees or canes that are not needed at that time

[Nicos]

Ok...bit confused..is it a typo...and you meant to put in voil??????

ie fine mesh curtain netting???...cos that's transparent???

If so- I think you'll be fine
I use fleece over my carrots and beetroot and spring onions and onions to help keep the moisture in - and any pests away...works a treat!!
It's never damaged the seedlings so far..it's just if it's frosty and it's wet and in contact with the seedlings it a bit of a prob cos they may freeze to the mesh!

[coreopsis]

I brought some big polysthyrene (?) bags from work,cut them in half and covered the soil to discourage the cats from messing in beds.

[zazen999]

I'm even more confused.

Is it plastic or foil?

[coreopsis]

I don't know how to explain this.I want to keep the cats away that's why I covered the beds.It's similar to supermarket carrier bags but much much thicker and transparent.

[Eyren]

So it's heavy-duty polythene? (Not polystyrene, which is the squeaky white expanded foam stuff used to make coffee cups and packaging for delicate objects). I think you mean 'film', not foil (which is always metallic).

I think your onions might get a bit hot under that, TBH...

[Jenegade]

I covered my beds for same reason Coreopsis. Only I've used fleece to cover it.

By the sound of your covering I think it might scorch the young seedlings as they grow, you could cover it with twigs, holly sprigs etc. though. That seems to have worked on parts of my plot that aren't fleeced.

[coreopsis]

Sorry for confusion,this polyyyyy&%$£@something stuff,just got mixed up in my head.
This is temporary-just for a week or so,I thought about bringing some gorse cuttings and put a few pieces on the ground(ouch).

[Jenegade]

Sorry for confusion,this polyyyyy&%$£@something stuff,just got mixed up in my head.
This is temporary-just for a week or so,I thought about bringing some gorse cuttings and put a few pieces on the ground(ouch).

Gorse cuttings would prob be fine, don't think I'd want to be the one cutting and moving them about tho!

[Creemteez]

GORSE!!! YES!!! Flipping cat that made a mess of my carrot seedlings is going to wish it's bottom had never been born! Where are me gauntlets? -I'm out on the hills tomorrow!!! Mmwwha-ha-ha-ha!!!