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June 4, 2025 - The Value of Soil and Plant Coverings

Utilize straw and other coverings in your garden.

There are many opportunities for gardeners to employ a variety of innovative soil and plant coverings to nurture their crops throughout the season.

“Choosing the right cover at the right time is a crucial element of successful cultivation,” explains horticulturist Robert Spencer. “Each material offers a unique set of advantages, and understanding these nuances can give you solid tools to enhance plant health and yield.”

One of the most time-honoured methods involves the use of straw, particularly for perennial favourites like strawberries and garlic. For day-neutral strawberries, a delicate layer of 1-2 inches applied in early June acts as a vital shield. “The straw creates a clean separation between the developing fruit and the soil,” notes Spencer. “This simple barrier dramatically reduces the risk of soilborne diseases splashing onto the berries, ensuring a healthier and more marketable crop. Plus, it provides a clean surface for pickers later in the season.”

Looking toward the future cold of winter, a more substantial 4-6 inch blanket of straw is recommended for June-bearing strawberries, typically applied between mid-October and mid-November. This thicker layer serves a different, yet equally important, purpose. 

“In this case, the straw acts like a cozy winter coat,” Spencer elaborates. “It provides essential insulation, protecting the plants from harsh winter temperatures and those damaging fluctuations that can stress the plants. Come spring, when the straw is carefully removed, it continues to offer that crucial clean barrier against soilborne pathogens.” Fall-planted garlic also benefits from a cover of straw in winter, and enjoys the cooler, moist soil during the growing season.

Beyond the traditional use of straw, there are a number of versatile row and field covers made from spun woven fabrics. These lightweight materials can be applied at various stages of growth for both annual and perennial crops, sometimes remaining in place for extended periods or being deployed and removed as needed.

The benefits of these covers include providing enhanced warmth around growing plants. Growers also utilize them in spring to accelerate the germination and emergence of various crops that thrive in slightly warmer soil temperatures. Furthermore, these covers can offer a crucial shield against light early-season frosts, protecting vulnerable young plants.

Another significant advantage of row and field covers lies in their ability to deter pests. Small, direct-seeded crops like radishes and members of the Cole crop family (cabbage, broccoli, etc.) are particularly susceptible to pests such as flea beetles and cabbage maggots. By creating a physical barrier, the covers prevent these pests from reaching the plants to feed or lay their eggs. In some cases, the covers allow the plants to grow vigorously enough to withstand minor pest damage.

As the season progresses into late summer and fall, heavier-weight row and field covers come into play, particularly for extending the production of late-season crops like day-neutral strawberries. “As the weight of the cover increases, so does its insulating capacity," Spencer explains. “By applying these heavier covers in the fall, it's possible to protect crops from early frosts, allowing them to continue producing for a longer period." In some areas, these heavier fabric covers can even provide a degree of winter protection, acting as a supplement or alternative to straw, although Spencer cautions that “they generally won't offer the same level of insulation as a thick layer of straw.”

For woody perennial bush fruit crops and perennial ornamentals, bark mulch is a good tool. Applied at the base of the plants, “bark mulch helps to regulate soil temperature, keeping it cooler during hot periods, and it also significantly conserves soil moisture,” says Spencer. “This can reduce, and in some cases even eliminate, the need for irrigation, which is a major benefit, especially in drier climates. Additionally, the bark mulch can help to suppress weed growth around the base of the plants, reducing competition for valuable resources.”

Finally, plastic mulches are a good tool to use with annual vegetable crops, especially those that are transplanted. Plastic mulch works great with drip irrigation. The most common benefit of plastic mulch is weed control. “Black plastic mulch blocks sunlight, which is essential for weed growth,” Spencer clarifies. “While black is the most common, other coloured mulches can reflect specific wavelengths of light back onto the plants, potentially influencing growth and yield. Regardless of colour, most plastic mulches act as a barrier to evaporation, helping to retain soil moisture.”

While not explicitly a physical covering, the practice of planting cover or companion crops can also be seen as a strategy to protect and enhance the main crop by offering shelter or other benefits.

The strategic use of various coverings represents a vital tool in the modern grower's arsenal. These techniques all contribute to healthier plants, reduced environmental stress, and ultimately produce more bountiful harvests.