Row Covers for insect / pest control

Mark0820 · January 26, 2015

I've never used row covers before, but I am considering giving them a try this year to grow squash. Three pests (squash vine borer, squash bugs and cucumber beetles) make it very difficult for me to grow a variety other than butternut squash.

I'm curious as to what type of row cover other people use. I found this product doing a Google search http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/p...tection-fabric.

From what I have read, there seems to be two approaches to using a row cover for squash:

1. Leave the row cover on until both male and female blossoms appear, and then remove the row cover so bees can pollinate the blossoms.

2. Leave the row cover on as long as possible, and hand pollinate the blossoms.

I am interested in the experiences of people who use or know about row covers so I have a better idea as to the best product to use and the best approach when using a row cover.

January 26, 2015	#1
Mark0820 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 907	Row Covers for insect / pest control I've never used row covers before, but I am considering giving them a try this year to grow squash. Three pests (squash vine borer, squash bugs and cucumber beetles) make it very difficult for me to grow a variety other than butternut squash. I'm curious as to what type of row cover other people use. I found this product doing a Google search http://www.greenhousemegastore.com/p...tection-fabric. From what I have read, there seems to be two approaches to using a row cover for squash: 1. Leave the row cover on until both male and female blossoms appear, and then remove the row cover so bees can pollinate the blossoms. 2. Leave the row cover on as long as possible, and hand pollinate the blossoms. I am interested in the experiences of people who use or know about row covers so I have a better idea as to the best product to use and the best approach when using a row cover.