There are different reasons to cover a bed. So it makes sense to protect sensitive seedlings or plants from late frosts with a cover. However, the aim is often to prevent weeds from growing there uncontrollably.
Why and with what should I cover a bed?
A bed should be covered to protect sensitive plants from frost, extend the growing season or prevent weed growth. Use plant fleece or film for frost protection and weed fabric covered with gravel or bark mulch for weed protection.
When should I cover a bed?
If you have planted vegetables in the garden early on or if your berry bushes are already blooming early in the year, then it is advisable to cover them before the ice saints or late frosts arrive. Plant fleeces (€7.00 on Amazon) or a transparent film are suitable for this. In this way you can prevent losses in the berry harvest or advance the growing season for your vegetables a little.
Using weed fabric is always recommended when you have little time for gardening but want to keep a larger area weed-free. Decorative bed covers such as gravel, bark mulch or ground-covering plants are suitable for individual garden design. You can use these according to your preferences. You can find gravel and bark mulch in different colors in stores.
What can I cover a bed with?
The material for covering depends on the meaning and purpose of your project. Should young plants be protected from late frosts, tomatoes from rain or berries from birds? For these purposes there is special fleece or nets that you can pull over your berry bushes.
Do you want to prevent “weeds” from growing on your bed? A so-called root protection film, also known as weed fabric, can help here. Nurseries and horticultural businesses have been using this film for a long time, and now it is also being used in private gardens. It is tear-resistant, water-permeable, weather-resistant and environmentally friendly.
The film is quite easy to lay, but it should be weighed down with stones or held by a helper so that it does not get blown away by the wind. Holes are cut into the film for existing plants on the bed to be covered. After laying, the film is covered with gravel or bark mulch and the bed border is designed.
How to lay weed fabric:
- Lay out the foil and weigh it down
- Cut holes for existing plantings
- Cut out holes for planned plantings
- Planting and watering plants
- Set curbs or bed borders
- Clamp the foil underneath
- Cover the bed with bark mulch or gravel
Tip
You can use bed covers for their intended purpose or as decoration.
