Crops Under Cover is a collaborative research group working across the Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast U.S. to explore how row covers can help growers tackle challenges in pest, weed, and climate management. Partnering with The Organic Center, we’ve just wrapped up our first year of research and are excited to share the results!
Kentucky:
Row covers boosted marketable yields for crops like patty pan squash, cucumbers, watermelon, brussels sprouts, eggplant, and napa cabbage. Combining row covers with organic insecticides significantly increased bok choy yields, while using landscape fabric under row covers was particularly effective for eggplant weed management.
Iowa:
Row covers paired with organic insecticides reduced pest damage in broccoli, while weed management with landscape fabric not only controlled weeds but also increased eggplant yields. Additional data on bok choy and climate impacts is currently under review.
New York:
For muskmelon and mini red cabbage, row covers combined with organic insecticides significantly reduced pest damage. Adding landscape fabric to the mix delivered the best overall results, including higher marketable yields. Research on mini red cabbage is still underway—stay tuned for updates!
As we gear up for next season, we’re excited to continue exploring solutions for growers. Stay tuned and visit us for the latest updates on our findings!
The Organic Center is a 501(c)(3) non-profit research and education organization based out of Washington D.C. Our mission is to conduct and convene credible, evidence-based science on the environmental and health effects of organic food and farming and communicate the findings to the public.