Floating Row Covers for Plants: The Secret Weapon for Thriving Gardens and Crops

Floating row covers are lightweight, breathable sheets designed to lay directly over plants, shielding them from a host of environmental threats. Made of advanced synthetic materials like polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyester, or polypropylene, these covers provide a physical barrier without suffocating or overheating delicate seedlings and crops. Unlike rigid cloches or heavy greenhouses, floating row covers “float” above your garden beds, expanding easily as your plants grow.​

Types of Row Covers

• Floating Row Covers: Rest directly on plants and soil, requiring no support hoops.

• Hoop-Supported Row Covers: Use wire or plastic hoops to create mini “tunnels.”

• Mesh and Plastic Covers: Mesh is for pest control and ventilation; solid plastic for warmth and moisture retention.​

Key Features and Benefits

• Frost Protection: Floating row covers create a mild greenhouse effect, capturing soil warmth and increasing air temperature around young plants by 2–6°F. This helps shield tender crops from light frost, effectively extending both spring and fall growing seasons.​

• Pest Exclusion: The fine weave blocks insect pests like aphids, beetles, moths, and caterpillars, reducing or even eliminating pesticide reliance. Some covers can also keep birds and rabbits out.​

• Improved Growth and Yields: By buffering against chill, wind, and heavy rain, row covers reduce plant stress and desiccation, boosting germination rates, growth, and eventual harvest yield.​

• Light & Water Permeable: Quality row covers transmit most sunlight (80–91%) and allow rain or irrigation water to pass through, so you don’t need to remove them to water.​​

• Versatile Uses: From spring to late autumn, row covers can protect vegetables (lettuce, spinach, cabbage, carrots), fruits (strawberries, melons), and even flowers from unpredictable weather and pests.​

Why Choose PVA Floating Row Covers?

Modern PVA (polyvinyl alcohol) row covers like the DT-650 and DT-550 Natural from The Tarp Co. offer industry-leading performance and durability:

• DIO-Betalon Technology: Both DT-550 and DT-650 use high-quality PVA resin and advanced manufacturing, a direct replacement for the legendary Tufbell row covers.​

• Moisture Master: PVA’s unique hygroscopic properties allow it to draw in dew and frost, keeping plants protected from cold snaps and freezing nights—especially useful for early spring or fall crops.

• Breathable & Water Friendly: 45% porosity and 91% light transmission ensure your plants get plenty of sunlight and rainfall without buildup or mold.​

• Strength & Longevity: These covers are reinforced with nylon threads, making them tough, reusable across many seasons, and easy to repair.

• UV & Heat Resistance: Highly resistant to sun damage, quality PVA covers block harmful UV without sacrificing strength or flexibility.

• Tailored Fit: Available in convenient sizes (2m x 6.1m, 3m x 6.1m) and supplied with Tufbell clips for hassle-free anchoring.​

Benefits of Using Crop Row Covers

• Pest Free Without Chemicals: Covering beds at planting prevents a broad range of insect damage, especially to squash, beans, brassicas, carrots, and more.

• Extend Your Seasons: Row covers let gardeners plant earlier in spring and harvest later in fall, even boosting yields by enabling longer growing windows.

• Protect from Wind, Rain, and Hail: Floating row covers serve as a buffer against windburn, pounding rain, and hailstones that can otherwise injure or kill seedlings.

• Flexible and Easy to Install: Whether you’re gardening on a balcony or tending large market crops, row covers install quickly and adjust as your plants grow.

• Reusable and Eco-Friendly: High-quality PVA covers are not single-use—they last for years with proper care, reducing waste and long-term costs.​​

Step-by-Step: How to Use Floating Row Covers in Your Garden

1. Prepare Your Soil and Plant: Sow seeds or transplant seedlings in rows as usual.

2. Lay the Cover: Gently spread the floating row cover directly over the plants or soil. For new plantings, do this at seeding to exclude flying and crawling insects.

3. Anchor the Edges: Secure the cover using Tufbell clips, landscape pins, soil, or rocks. Make sure the edges are sealed to prevent pest entry.

4. Allow for Growth: Floating covers will rise as plants develop. For taller crops, consider using hoops for added space.

5. Watering: Water right through the fabric; no need to remove covers thanks to their permeability.

6. Pollination: For fruiting crops like squash or cucumbers, temporarily lift the cover when flowers appear to allow for bee pollination, then replace for protection.

7. Reuse: At the end of the season, gently clean and dry the cover, repair any holes with nylon thread, and store for future use.​

Floating Row Cover Product Spotlight

DT-650 PVA Floating Row Cover

• Made from advanced PVA resin, boasting transparency, lightweight strength, and unmatched resistance to UV and heat.

• Perfect for organic farming, extending the season, and frost protection.

• Easy to repair and install; ships with free Tufbell clips for easy securing.​

DT-550 PVA Floating Row Cover

• Equally robust and reusable, this natural PVA product combines industry-leading moisture retention, transparency, easy handling, and long service life.

• Ships with Tufbell clips and is available in practical sizes for small and large gardens alike.​

1500N PVA Greenhouse Liner

• For gardeners seeking additional control, this heavy-duty liner delivers the temperature and moisture regulation needed for greenhouse-quality results.​

Real Gardener Tips: Maximizing Results with Your Row Covers

• Always apply covers immediately after sowing or transplanting to block pest life cycles from taking hold.

• Double up covers for extra frost protection during surprise cold snaps.

• Monitor early and late in the season for unusual pest activity underneath, particularly root maggots or burrowing insects.

• Roll and store row covers carefully between seasons to limit UV degradation and extend life.

• For row crops, practice rotating where possible and use covers as part of your integrated pest management strategy.

Floating vs. Hoop Row Covers: Which Should You Use?

Feature	Floating Row Cover	Hoop Row Cover
Installation	Direct over plants/soil	Support with hoops/tunnels
Best for	Low-growing, frost/pest-prone crops	Tall crops or multi-season use
Season Extension	Good	Best, especially with plastic
Pest Exclusion	Excellent	Excellent
Ease of Removal	Easiest	Easy, depends on structure
Durability	Very good with PVA/nylon	Good to excellent with right film

Sustainability and Cost-Effectiveness

Investing in quality floating row covers like those from The Tarp Co. means a reduction in both pesticide usage and crop losses, making them a smart move for organic gardeners, family plots, and commercial farmers alike. Their reusability ensures years of consistent protection, and the eco-friendly manufacturing of PVA products helps minimize agricultural waste.​

Conclusion

Floating row cover for plants and gardens—especially advanced PVA options—are a proven, essential investment for anyone serious about crop protection, organic growing, and maximizing yields. Blending science-backed technology, practical design, and environmental responsibility, these products deliver unmatched value in every season. To explore, purchase, or customize the best crop row covers for your needs, visit The Tarp Co. and safeguard your harvest today.