I used it for the first time this year mainly for protection from a moth that was laying eggs on my kale. I'm glad I put them up because we've had icky rainy weather. they protected the greens from the pelting rain we've had.

Some covers (need to check which one you have) provide insulation from frost and protect down to a certain degree. I would say for the crops that need pollination, uncover once flowers start to develop. Good luck!

I am in my third season of using row covers and it has made a substanatial, positive improvement in my starting and raising of peas, lettuce, cukes, beans, radishes, chard, and melons. I use the lighter material. It keeps the bunnies and bugs away. Unless your plants are self pollinating, like many are today, you must remove the row cover when the plants begin flowering. The only critters that seem to get around this defense are slugs and these can be handled by other means. I now have catalog looking veggies thanks to row covers. I do remove one side of the cover once a week and cultivate, however. The weeds enjoy the friendly environment as much as the veggies do.
Victor

I found them useful for a very early spring planting, and otherwise (to me) not worth the trouble. I don't mind a few bug bites in my greens, and before I put up a heavy fence, voles would crawl right under the covers.

is it making it warmer in there and is that okay?

Yes it is making it warmer in there. If you are using it primarily for cool weather protection, that's fine. But with the fabrics like this intended for cold protection once your air temps warm up it can quickly get too hot inside and the air gets stagnant so you will need to open it somewhat - say the ends to let a breeze blow through. I would remove it completely then as nothing planted in that in the bed would benefit from it once it warms enough.

As yes you will need to remove the cover for pollination anyway. Of your list only the tomatoes need pollination in that bed - herbs don't - and while they are self-fertile blooms they do benefit from the wind.

Dave

Dave - At this point I was using it for protection from insects more than cold. We are expecting temps in the 70s and lower 80s for the near future. I don't want to cook my seedlings! Are row covers meant for early protection mostly?

At this point I was using it for protection from insects more than cold. Are row covers meant for early protection mostly?

There are many different grades of row cover, different weights and weaves. Gardeners Supply sells 3 or 4 different weights but there are 10-12 different ones available.

Each has its own application. Those rated for cold protection come in several different weights too and give approx. 7-10 degrees protection per the weight rating. But they are, by their nature, usually too heavy to use during the heat.

Insect barrier, the lightest and most open weave material, while great for insect protection, provides no cool weather protection. Different covers for different purposes in other words.

So based on the brand name you indicated, your cover is "primarily for cold protection and can be used for insect barrier in very cool areas" per GS. Once your temps are in the 80s you aren't a "very cool area" any longer. ;)

Plus you said you have only tomatoes and herbs in that bed anyway, right? Insect barriers aren't normally associated with or needed for any of those items - lettuce, squash, cabbage, etc. yes but not tomatoes and herbs. For what insects? Hornworms and stink bugs? Much better ways to control for those while still allowing your tomato plants the sun and air circulation they need to thrive.

Plus your cover has only a 70% light transmission and that could stunt your tomatoes. Then there is the increased heat and humidity inside, it will only encourage foliage diseases on tomatoes.

I'd suggest removing it once your ambient temps are consistently above 50-55 at night.

Hope this helps.

Dave

I use greenhouse film (plastic sheet treated with UV protection). I have a short growing season, so tomatoes go out in a raised bed with a tunnel of greenhouse film supported by pvc framework.

I hang a 100 watt drop light with reflector and have it hooked up to a greenhouse thermostat. The light goes on when it gets below 50 degrees inside the tunnel It's enough to keep the tomatoes from freezing.

The additional heat during the day helps with ripening.

Ends are opened on warm days. Cover is removed when it stops freezing at night (we often have snow for 4th of July). Covers are replaced in the fall to extend the growing season long enough for tomatoes to ripen.

I lift the edges to work on the tomatoes.

Extra work? Yes. Worth it? Yes. Store bought tomatoes aren't the same as home grown, so whatever it takes.

Thanks Dave. I will take it off tonight. We are supposed to have 56* low overnight and warmer lows coming up. Hope I haven't stunted them...

oregonwoodsmoke - Got a picture of that set up? Love to see.

I am using an army green color of tulle. I know that sounds weird but not only do I have rabbits, I have squirrels, quail, wrens eating my veggies. Fences don't keep them out and the dog is only partially effective. It is light weight and lets a lot of water and light in. So far it is protecting the peas well. Plus it was cheap. I think it would keep moths out too.

When the weather heats up, I switch to tulle too. Looks better than row cover, and you can see through it. Just saw this picture of it in use over cucumbers. You can see how much nicer it looks compared to row cover.

Here is a link that might be useful: tulle row cover on cucumbers

lolear

You know, don't you, that you don't have to put up a frame to support your row cover? FWIW, you can just lay it on top of the growing area with plenty of room (bunched or pleated) to rise with the growing plants. Anchor the edges down as you have in the picture above.

Just a FYI note.

Last year and again this year I used row cover until first frost date at which time I switched to floating row cover (the lightest weight). It has worked very well for me by keeping the bugs off my early stuff ie. lettuce and allowed the late season plants time to get larger and better able to survive the late season attacks by insects. The plants started blooming 2 weeks ago so I removed all covers except on my cut and come again salad tray which I think I'll just keep covered. It is in full sun and maybe the cover will provide some protection against the strong sun.
I have been very impressed with using them but you have to remove occ. to check for any insect damage, from insects hatching in the soil, and control it before it gets out of hand. It works fab for keeping the eggplants free of flea beetle!

The tulle looks good, I will keep it in mind...

Anney - I already have a structure in place that I cover with bird netting later in the season (keeps the squirrels out) so I just used that. When the tomatoes get tall I put in lengths of conduit to raise it up.