Landscape Fabric, Frost Protection & Insect Netting

Landscape Fabric, Frost Protection & Insect Netting

Plastic Ground Cover for Weed Protection

Bootstrap Farmer carries heavy-duty, woven, polypropylene plastic ground cover also known as landscape fabric that is UV resistant, porous, and durable. The tightly woven plastic of the Heavy Duty Landscape Fabric works very well as a weed barrier for walkways, in high tunnels, as a greenhouse ground cover fabric, and in-between rows. Bootstrap Farmer offers this heavy-duty landscape fabric in both 4 foot wide white and 6 foot wide black rolls that are 250 feet long.

Should I Use Black or White Landscape Fabric?

We recommend using the white landscape fabric for cut flower growers and other heat-sensitive crops as its reflective capabilities are beneficial for keeping roots cooler. The black and white landscape fabrics are heavy-duty and will provide long-lasting weed control and protection in all applications.

How to Install Landscape Fabric?

Roll out the landscape fabric and secure every 18-24 inches with fabric pins for weed control. Overlap sections by at least 12 inches as you install to ensure adequate coverage. Check out this video for a step-by-step tutorial on this process.

Burning Template Holes into Landscape Fabric

A handheld propane torch works very well for creating holes in greenhouse ground cover fabric. By burning the material instead of cutting it, you get a nice-sized round hole with edges that will not fray. Make sure you are wearing thick flame-resistant gloves for this step and that you have a hose with a sprayer attachment handy to put out stray flames. 

FLOATING ROW COVERS FOR GARDEN CROP PROTECTION 

Frost blankets are perfect for lightweight cold protection for plants. Often growers secure frost blankets or row covers in place with rocks or dirt or float them on hoops made with benders and secured with clamps. Check out How to Make 4 Foot Low Tunnel Hoops | DETAILED Step by Step to a 4-ft Bender for a video tutorial.

What is Frost Blanket?

Frost blankets are made from spun-bonded polypropylene. The porous design allows air, water, and nutrients to pass through and allows for varying degrees of light transmission. 

Frost blankets of 4 oz. weight provide up to 10+ degrees of protection from frost. The thick material only allows for around 40% light transmission. This type of blanket protects cold-hardy crops like brassicas from winter damage. Check out Frost Blanket: How to Use It and When to learn more about this application.

INSECT NETTING FOR PEST PROTECTION

Insect netting is a protective barrier for plants against pests. High-quality insect netting is often the first line of defense against pest pressure. It can also be a tool for containing beneficial insects and pollinators. Read The Importance of Beneficial Insects for Your Greenhouse for more information on what beneficial insects to consider. Mesh netting comes in different sizes to exclude or contain certain insects. Mesh sizes are measured by the number of holes per linear inch of fabric. 

Bootstrap Farmer's insect netting contains patented technology developed by a manufacturing process that includes various additives in the net to block and reflect UV radiation. The additives in this netting reflect and blind the insects before reaching the mesh netting. Learn more about insect netting in Insect Netting for Organic Pest Control for a Hoop House | HOOP HOUSE 101 Ep 14. 

In addition, the mesh provides a barrier for any pests that make it past the UV barrier. This is especially useful in high tunnels with sidewall roll-up kits installed with sidewall insect netting. 

Netting should be installed immediately after transplanting or seeding. Install using row cover support hoops or drape directly onto the plants. Be sure to completely seal the netting edges using rocks and soil to prevent gaps. Read Insect Netting for Pest Protection for more information on this application.