17g Non-Woven Frost Protection Fleece 3.2m x 10m - Lightweight Garden Cover for Plants & Crops

Frost protection fleece is one of those things you reach for more often than you expect; this 17gsm sheet, 3.2 metres wide and 10 metres long, suits gardeners who want 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 that matters in practice. Light passes through readily, rainwater and irrigation reach the soil beneath, and air circulates well enough to keep foliage healthy. The fleece raises the temperature and humidity under the cover by a modest but useful degree, which encourages germination and keeps tender growth moving during the cooler weeks of spring. It will not hold off a hard freeze on its own, but for the frosts of March and April, or the first cold nights of autumn, it does the job reliably.

The most common mistake is leaving it on too long once the weather settles. Fleece is a cover for uncertain conditions, not a permanent fixture; once temperatures are consistent and pollinating insects need access to flowering crops, it should come off. Stored folded in a dry place between uses, a sheet like this will last several seasons without difficulty.

• Frost protection fleece, 17gsm, 3.2m x 10m
• Permeable to light, rainwater and air
• Raises temperature and humidity beneath the cover
• Suited to spring use; lighter weight than the 30gsm and 50gsm options in the range
• UV-stabilised for outdoor use across multiple seasons
• Other sizes and weights available on separate listings

Lay it over beds or rows as soon as a cold night is forecast and secure the edges so wind cannot lift it. In the first season you will notice earlier germination and less check to growth after transplanting; over time, buying one sheet and caring for it properly is simply less trouble than replacing a cheaper one each year.