covering beds for warming up soil

[Stonewaller]

Can anyone tell me whether it is OK to put cloches/fleece on the raised beds now to warm the soil up or should I wait until the weather warms up a bit more? Will the covering keep the cold in?

And something else I've wondered about but don't know the answer to - my raised beds are 12" deep, does that mean I have 12" of soil which is more likely to freeze solid along with the roots of any plants that are growing in them than if I was growing straight in the ground, or do the sides of the bed somehow insulate it? Does the cold air sit in the pathways between the beds?

[Caldan]

Sorry I have no idea, but just about to put up beds so will be interested to see what responses you get. I always wondered that as everyone says raised beds warm up quicker, does it also mean they get colder quicker in autumn etc?

[alldigging]

If it's as sunny as it is here they can only help. We have no snow on the ground.

We're going to be making some from the polycarbonate sheeting I got! Soon I hope!

[Sheneval]

When I started weeding my plot late last November after a few days I found the ground was frozen in the morning but only the top inch or so. Weather was much as at present min temp -3 at most. I covered the next area to be weeded each night with a plastic sheet and found this area was ok for clearing the next morning in every case. I used fleece only once but the outcome was the same.

My raised bed has not frozen over this winter at all nor has my neighbours - neither of us has boards.
Mine is covered with environmesh - his with debris netting.

[Two_Sheds]

it is OK to put cloches/fleece on the raised beds now...Will the covering keep the cold in?

It's like you going out in the cold naked, or with a fleece on.... yes, it's warmer if you have the fleece on

[solway cropper]

I've had bits of plot covered with black plastic and fleece for weeks. As alldigging says, as soon as you get a bit of sunshine it traps the heat in.

[Feral007]

Watching this thread as I might be able to warm my soil up quicker next spring. I'm also going to be looking at ways to keep frost off my plants as I don't have a green house and probably won't be getting one.

[spanish_gardener]

I bought enviromesh, which is pretty expensive, and it only lasted few weeks... I was going to use it to protect my carrots from carrot fly, but I am going to have to buy a cheap voile (curtain) on ebay.

[alldigging]

I bought enviromesh, which is pretty expensive, and it only lasted few weeks...

Take it back. Complain.

[Sheneval]

I bought enviromesh, which is pretty expensive, and it only lasted few weeks... I was going to use it to protect my carrots from carrot fly, but I am going to have to buy a cheap voile (curtain) on ebay.

Very surprised at this - I bought same product last June and it has been in constant use ever since and still going strong. I have two others still waiting to be used. I agree with alldigging - complain and ask for replacement oryour money back. good luck

[Aberdeenplotter]

I've had environmesh for years and it is still good. what happened to yours?

[Two_Sheds]

was it a copycat product, or the real thing?

[Stonewaller]

OK, beds covered. And they're in the sun most of the day when it's out so hopefully they'll warm up quickly.