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Jamul

I have been studying row cover for my general gardening purposes and I see some recommendations for it to be used to protect plants in regions that heat up really fast with seasonal changes. I guess the row covers reflect the radiant energy . Could row covers help giant watermelon growers in the heat and super high solar radiation areas?

Not sure if this is a big difference from shade cover, but in theory the row covers don't block the light much, just the heat.

10/25/2011 12:59:02 PM

Bowdon, GA

I think I would rather have full sun on a melon. Just me though.

10/26/2011 7:20:18 PM

Bowdon, GA

sorry melon plant not the melon

10/26/2011 7:20:50 PM

Next year if the summer temperature stays in the 110 - 115 degree range day after day in the central states like this past summer, there will be lots of gardeners using row cover both in the early spring and during the intense summer heat.

10/26/2011 8:19:02 PM

formerly RGG

Lloyd, I think you could just about use a air conditioned greenhouse under those conditions. I believe it would be nearly impossible to compete with growers who are experiencing more favorable conditions.

10/26/2011 8:43:49 PM

Southeast Texas

full sun will burn them up here ..holloway..i found that out.

10/26/2011 9:06:43 PM

Southeast Texas

eaten melons do good in the heat..i got a pickup full of jubillee's that were sweet and 20 to 30lbs..cc cant take the heat anf humity.

10/26/2011 9:10:56 PM

Southeast Texas

i mite need to cross a jubilee with a 239 and grow that seed...lol

10/26/2011 9:12:52 PM

Bowdon, GA

Yeah 110-115 calls for drastic measures, I hope you guys don't have to deal with that next year. I think "normally" hot temps 95-100. There are some products that will help, without sacraficing sun light. Russell wonder if they would help hold in some heat at night. Don't you have big gap in day and night temps there?

10/27/2011 1:30:35 PM

Jamul

I was thinking the row covers might help people like, Kirk.
I guess Paul is in the same boat, too...and others.

Jake, We can get too hot and too cold, though only in 4 or 5 day streaks. It is generally perfect in the day and too cool at night for CC, The streaks of low 50's are probably the biggest problem. I am thinking about row cover or tarps for after dark on one or two plants.

10/27/2011 2:27:43 PM

Bowdon, GA

Russell, does it get too hot to leave landscape cloth under the plant exposed? It heats the soil up well in the day and holds it at night, but if it gets too hot it can burn the vine tips. And doesn't do much when the plant gets thick but might help early in the season.

10/27/2011 8:01:52 PM

Corryton, TN

Rus I've used row covers to help protect strawberries in the spring from freezing. In general they will give you a boost of 3-8 degrees with no wind. ZERO help in breezy conditions. May get more help than that if you had a frame to stretch it over, like a greenhouse.

10/28/2011 7:01:48 AM

Jamul

Thanks, Jake & Dave,
That's all good food for thought. I've never thought of the black fabric, Jake.That could work well since the hottest streaks are usually in July and August and there should be a lot of plant by then. By the time tips were burning, if it should happen, straw could be thrown down ahead of new growth.

Dave, I'll definitely put in some low frames and have something of a cover. Since it is only nights that are a problem, it doesn't have to be clear or translucent, so it could be a thicker wind resistant blanket of some sort.

Thanks for the pointers.

10/28/2011 12:07:06 PM