[Yorky]

I sowed some seeds directly yesterday and was concerned about frost last night so I covered the raised beds with individual pieces of fleece held in place with pegs.

Can the fleece be left on during the day (to save laboriously removing it each morning) as light does seem to penetrate it. Also, can it be watered over?

[Liparis]

It can be left on, depending on it's grade and thickness. Watch out for hot days though! The fleece will reflect a lot of the heat, but maybe not enough. If left on, watering shouldn't be a problem as it won't evaporate from the soil as quickly. Watering over the fleece won't allow enough through so would be a wast of time. The light frosts we would get at the moment shouldn't damage the majority of the seeds, the danger is the seedlings that have germinated. Being sown in the ground, most seedlings will deal with very light frost as they germinate, although things like Beetroot might run to seed, so you need a variety like 'Boltardy'. You might, depending on the type of seeds you've sown, be in danger of molly-coddling them with the fleece.
Bill.

[Yorky]

Thanks. The fleece is 20gsm which I've been told is the optimum. Perhaps I'll just remove it after reading this post!

[michael brenock]

leave the fleece on day and night until first week of may, enough water and light can get through it encourages more weed seedlings.
michael brenock horticultural advisor (retired)

[Yorky]

[cooler]