I have used them to protect radishes from the flies whose larvae are root maggots. They give 100% protection and do away with the need for insecticides, which I don't like to use on radishes.

Of course, you will need to remove them when the cucumbers start blossoming in order to allow pollination. But the worst of the beetle problem may be gone by then.

Jim

I have been using them to protect my tomato plants from the deer. I have them loosely laid over the top with lots of space on the sides and bottom for bees and air to circulate. If I am going to be home, I pull them back. I just need to keep them covered at night when the 4-legged raiders come around.

My row cover over my lettuce has lots of flying insects trapped under there. They werent effective against slugs because slugs crawl on the ground. I was thinking of putting them over my zuke plants to protect from the flying SVB moth depositing her eggs, but how will the flowers get pollinated? And I would have to take the covers off daily to inspect for egg deposits and squash bugs. Sounds like a real hassle. Any suggestions ?

I have used them, but don't care for them. The problem I have is I live in a place that gets regular 20-30mph winds and storms with 70+ mph gusts can be counted on at least a couple times during the season.

Lightweight row covers, no matter how they are secured, just can't take those winds.

If i didn't have the wind to deal with I would likely be a huge fan as they are very effective against flying pests and some others.

For my part, I couldn't grow most squash & gourds without row covers; SVB, squash bugs, and cucumber beetles are very bad here. I cover the seedlings before they are attacked, and remove the covers only when the plants outgrow the cover, or when they start to bloom. My losses of C. pepo and C. maxima squash were very high when unprotected... with row covers applied early, survival is nearly 100%.

I just lay the cover over the plants, leaving plenty of slack. Bamboo skewers hold the edges in place until I can bury them. With buried edges, nothing gets in, not even slugs... and wind resistance is much higher than it would be on a hoop or frame. As the plants grow, they push up the cover.

Row covers are very effective for keeping cabbage loopers out of cole crops, without the use of sprays. This year, I am even growing Swiss chard under cover, since goldfinches have taken a liking to it, and would destroy it completely without protection.

If you are a seed saver, row covers are an economical way to save pure pepper seed. I use it to cover my pepper cages, and the peppers thrive in the warmer, more humid environment beneath the cover. Not only pure seed, but no losses due to bug bites or sunscald. I highly recommend caging for areas where peppers are difficult to ripen... just check often for aphids, which are able to penetrate the cover due to their small size.

Small squares of row cover are also good for blossom bagging, since the material is breathable & traps little heat.

I would NOT recommend the use of row covers to cover whole bean & tomato plants, since the increased humidity under the cover promotes disease. Screen or tule cloth is better for this purpose. Caavonldy's method of applying the cover loosely to discourage deer is effective, as long as insects are not a problem also.

I would like to thank all who responded to my question sbout floating row covers. I have learned a great deal and this just further enhances my opinions about the value of this forum. I will continue to add to requests for info when I can and ask more questions when I need to. After over 60 years of gardening, there is still so much to learn.
Sconticut