Good or bad Idea- using tarp to protect plants from wind/rain?

12 years ago

I know this is really early to think about for the weather here in Dubai, but a local hardware store has some of those blue tarps on clearance and I got an idea (haven't bought them yet)

During our super short "winter" there are some days of extreme rain and/or wind (usually in January/February. it would be enough to cause damage to tomato plants.

I was thinking of getting some tarp and adding some grommets on the edges. if there is bad rains/wind, I would drape it over the tomato plants and use rope through the grommets and tie them up to something to secure it.

There may be a few times the tarp would have to stay on for 2 or 3 days in a row.

Is this stupid idea?

If it happens to be a good idea at least I can get them on clearance!

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Comments (8)

terrybull
12 years ago
what ever it takes to protect your plants do it. i wouldnt let them be covered over two days.
ticodxb
Original Author
12 years ago
thank you! I am off to buy the tarp now. :)
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hemnancy
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I have made makeshift greenhouses over my tomatoes for 3 years, with pvc pipe and elbows for a framework and semi-opaque plastic sheeting over it. The problems I had were when the edges of the plastic do not extend to the ground because then the wind gets underneath and tries to tear it off. The other problem is if there is sagging because then the plastic fills with water which gets very heavy and brings the supports down.

Best design I had went to the ground and had wire fencing in the roof to prevent sagging. I have photos in my blog if you are interested.

Here is a link that might be useful: blog
1dahlia4me
12 years ago
Hemnancy, thanks for posting that. Husband and I were just talking today about setting up something like that, and your comments and photos are very helpful.
hemnancy
12 years ago
The problem with the tomato house in my photos was that there was no air circulation and I ended up with molding problems anyway, also the slugs were very bad in there. At least it kept the tomatoes warm for a while and extended the season.
springlift34
12 years ago
Extending the season is something that I am pondering on right now as well. That is a pretty important point you make. The slugs and molding and all the other minor issues could never outweigh the positive of extending the season.
ticodxb
Original Author
12 years ago
Hemnancy thank you... I thought I replied a, while back but I didn't!

Mmmm now I have to try to figure out what to do about covering all the plants to under the pots...

Right now I am going to add grommets to them in the meantime...

Good or bad Idea- using tarp to protect plants from wind/rain?

Comments (8)

terrybull

ticodxb
Original Author

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Good or bad Idea- using tarp to protect plants from wind/rain?

Comments (8)

terrybull

ticodxbOriginal Author

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Dweomer

hemnancy

1dahlia4me

hemnancy

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ticodxbOriginal Author

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ticodxb
Original Author

ticodxb
Original Author