Row Covers
 

When is the time to put on row covers? I'm wondering if I should do it now, while the plants are smallish, or wait.

I have six Turkish eggplant plants, given to me by my Turkish neighbor. I put in just one, a Fairy Tale from the nursery, and two days later went back to the garden to find someone had stolen it. :( That was very upsetting. Who steals a $4 eggplant? But I'm looking forward to the little round red ones. Dilek says they're delicious.

Christine

Christine,

This time of year there is no need for row covers for eggplant as the weather is plenty hot enough. If you have deer in the area, they've been known to pull up newly set transplants so maybe it isn't a thief hopefully.

if you are using frc to protect against specific insect pests then put them out when that pest is around. for eggplant i'd cover them immediately as flea beetles seem to get to them fast.