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Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Lady of the Land on February 04, 2005, 18:41:41

Title: Fleece
Post by: Lady of the Land on February 04, 2005, 18:41:41
What do you cover with fleece? and why?

I have already bought some fleece to cover carrots against carrot root fly. Is there any thing else I need to consider covering.

Has anyone had any problems with foxes or other animals damaging the fleece ?

Thank You

L of the L
Title: Re: Fleece
Post by: sandersj89 on February 04, 2005, 19:00:27
Fleece is very good for carrot fly protection as you have already mentioned.

It can also be used to protect against many other fly insects, flea beetles, white fly, butterflies, etc.

Fleece will also take the edge of frosts, giving a few degrees celcius of protection.

Jerry
Title: Re: Fleece
Post by: Mrs Ava on February 04, 2005, 23:19:24
Never had any probs with critters, altho the fox did leave pretty muddy foot prints all over the fleece after a rainy day!  Good against flea beetle on your pakchoi and rocket.  Good frost protection.
Title: Re: Fleece
Post by: john_miller on February 05, 2005, 03:37:17
Almost anything can be covered with fleece. In addition to protecting against pests it will increase germination of direct sown crops (especially slow germinators like carrots) as it aids retention of moisture in the soil, brings on crops earlier (due to extra heat and it reduces moisture stress) and increases yield (to the extreme where a test crop of potatoes was 195% of the control, but  any crop responds), probably for similar reasons.
Title: Re: Fleece
Post by: Lady of the Land on February 05, 2005, 06:59:55
Thank you all for your replies

I presume water can not get through but is useful as you say John to keep moisture in.
Title: Re: Fleece
Post by: tim on February 05, 2005, 12:50:21
Water does get through, but sags the fleece a bit while wet. = Tim
Title: Re: Fleece
Post by: john_miller on February 05, 2005, 16:52:26
Bit more of a problem for you than me Tim? I have always preferred mesh (?) over fleece for that reason though.
Title: Re: Fleece
Post by: tim on February 05, 2005, 17:16:38
Me too - it lets rain through better, you can see what's going on underneath & it doesn't sag. But it is a bit heavier,  the cost is pretty off-putting and I could not bear to chop it up for smaller areas. = Tim