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market-farming - Re: [Market-farming] Holding Down Row Cover

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  • From: Richard Robinson <rrobinson AT nasw.org>
  • To: Market Farming <market-farming AT lists.ibiblio.org>
  • Subject: Re: [Market-farming] Holding Down Row Cover
  • Date: Sat, 5 May 2012 09:16:02 -0400

On 5/5/2012 at 9:00:22 AM, andrea davis wrote:
> How have people found is the best way to hold down row cover? In the past I
> have put dirt on it but then it is always a pain to remove it when things
> need to be checked on. I heard something about laying rebar on the edges.

I have tried rebar a couple times, but the rust on the bar grabbed the fuzz
on the row cover, and wouldn't release easily. Stones work fine, but are
variably sized and have no handles, making them somewhat of a pain to
repeatedly move for inspection under the cover. Milk jugs with smaller stones
in them (cut out on the side for filling, and with drain holes in the bottom)
work well but have two problems: you need a generous amount of fabric on the
ground underneath them for best holding power, since they exert no lateral
force (unlike a sandbag) on the cover, and are likely themselves to be tipped
over in a strong wind by the fabric pushing up on them; and they break down
pretty quickly, and need replacing every year. I am trying small sandbags
this year (10"x14", with ties) and can see their benefits. The tied top
provides a handle, and they will lean into the vertical face of the fabric
against a hoop, both holding the fabric and making the bag itself very hard
to blow over in the wind.


Richard Robinson
www.nasw.org/users/rrobinson/
Hopestill Farm
www.hopestill.com






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