Why You Should Cover Tomato Plants

Tomatoes are a popular garden vegetable, but they are vulnerable to pests and weather conditions. To ensure a healthy crop, it's essential to protect your tomato plants. Covering your plants can have numerous benefits.

Types of Tomato Plant Covers

There are several types of tomato plant covers available, including:

Row covers

Cage covers

Microclimate tunnels

Greenhouse covers

Row covers are lightweight and can be used to protect plants from pests and frost. They are also breathable, which allows air and water to penetrate. Cage covers fit over tomato cages to provide shade and protect from wind damage. Microclimate tunnels are similar to row covers but are more substantial and are placed directly over the plants. Greenhouse covers are the most substantial cover and can help extend the growing season.

Benefits of Covering Tomato Plants

There are several benefits to covering tomato plants:

Protects from pests: Covers create a physical barrier between your plants and pests such as tomato hornworms.

Protects from weather: Covers can protect your tomato plants from harsh weather conditions such as frost and hail.

Keeps soil warm: Covers can help keep the soil around your plants warm, which can promote better growth.

Increases yields: By protecting your plants, covers can help increase yields by preventing damage caused by pest and weather events.

When to Cover Tomato Plants

It's essential to time when you cover your tomato plants correctly:

For frost protection, cover your plants before the first frost.

For pest protection, cover your plants before they become infested. Regularly check your plants for signs of pests and cover them as soon as you notice them.

For shade, cover your plants during the hottest part of the day to protect them from sunburn.

For greenhouse covers, set them up as soon as your plants are in the ground.

Conclusion

Tomatoes are a valuable garden crop, and covering them can help ensure a successful harvest. With the right cover, you can protect your plants from pests and weather conditions, keep soil warm, and increase yields. Choose the right cover for your needs and time when you cover your plants correctly to enjoy a bumper crop of delicious tomatoes.