17g Non-Woven Frost Protection Fleece 1.6m x 5m | Plant Cover & Garden Fabric

Frost protection fleece is one of those things you reach for more often than you expect; this 17gsm sheet, measuring 1.6 metres by 5 metres, suits the gardener who wants to extend the season at either end without a great deal of fuss.

At 17gsm this is the lightest of the three weights we carry, and it is the one to use from late winter through spring, when you want protection from a sharp night without blocking the light your seedlings need during the day. It lets rain and air through freely, so there is no need to lift it every time the weather turns, and the slight warmth it holds beneath the cover is enough to keep tender growth moving when temperatures dip unexpectedly. That combination of permeability and shelter is what makes fleece worth using rather than improvising with something heavier.

The weight you choose matters more than most people realise. A 17gsm fleece will not see you through a hard frost; for that you would want our 30gsm or 50gsm weights, listed separately. What this one does well is the shoulder season: protecting early sowings from wind and cold nights, encouraging germination, and giving young plants a few extra weeks of warmth without drawing them up soft and pale. Lay it loosely so there is room for growth beneath, and anchor the edges with soil or pegs rather than pulling it taut.

• Frost protection fleece, 17gsm, 1.6m x 5m
• Permeable to light, rainwater and air
• Raises temperature and humidity beneath the cover
• Suited to spring use and early-season protection
• UV-stabilised for repeated seasonal use
• Other sizes and weights available on separate listings

A single sheet, stored carefully between seasons, will last several years; fold it rather than scrunch it, and check the edges before you put it away. Lay it over your brassica seedlings or early salad rows as soon as they are in, and you will find the difference in germination rate is noticeable within a fortnight.