Clear tarpaulin is a versatile building and gardening material made from durable plastic sheeting. It is most commonly manufactured from either polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These plastics allow the material to be transparent or translucent, permitting sunlight to pass through while serving as a protective barrier.
Weather Resistance Tarpaulin
The plastic construction makes it impervious to water and resistant to tearing from wind. It can withstand exposure to rain, snow, and sunlight for many growing seasons.
Lightweight
Sheets of Clear Tarpaulin are very light per square foot compared to wood, glass, or metal. This makes installation and repairs easier for the home gardener or greenhouse owner.
UV Protection
While allowing light transmission into the greenhouse or garden bed, clear tarpaulin blocks over 95% of harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays that can damage or stress sensitive plants.
Durability
Properly stored and installed, clear polyethylene or PVC tarpaulin is rated to withstand weathering for 5-10 years of use depending on the thickness and manufacturing quality. Some commercial-grade tarpaulins can last even longer with repairs.
Benefits of Clear Tarpaulin for Greenhouses
Clear tarpaulin sheeting offers several important benefits when used to cover a greenhouse structure.
Protection from the elements:
More than just rain and snow, Waterproof Tarpaulin protects plants from cold winds and wide ranges in daily temperature fluctuations. This stable indoor climate allows for more consistent growing.
UV filtering:
As noted earlier, clear tarpaulin blocks over 95% of harmful UV rays from the sun. This is important since strong UV exposure can damage or inhibit growth of plants not well adapted to direct intense sunlight.
Low cost:
The plastic sheeting material is relatively inexpensive and a single purchase can provide a greenhouse cover for many years when properly installed and maintained.
Lightweight construction:
Unlike glass, acrylic or wood structures, clear tarpaulin is easy to manually install, replace or repair sections due to its light weight. This makes it suitable for DIY greenhouse construction and maintenance.
Extends growing seasons:
By protecting plants from freezing temperatures, the insulated microclimate of a clear tarpaulin covered greenhouse allows farmers and gardeners to start seeds, transplants or vegetation almost a month earlier in spring compared to being outside. It also permits extending the harvest season later into fall.
Easy to install:
Plastic sheeting is roll-able for storage and its long sheets require minimal cutting or fitting compared to rigid panels. Skilled homeowners or garden clubs can erect a functional greenhouse shelter in just a few hours with clear tarpaulin, wood strips and rope or wire.
Benefits of Clear Tarpaulin for Season Extension
As discussed in the previous section, clear tarpaulin enables greenhouse owners to lengthen the growing calendar at both ends of the seasonal cycle. However, resourceful gardeners can take advantage of its protective qualities without constructing a full greenhouse. Clear plastic sheeting offers productive season extension techniques for the residential landscape as well.
Starting transplants early:
A simple hoop house structure built with a metal or wood frame covered with clear tarpaulin allows sowing seeds 4-6 weeks earlier than outside. Young plants given this head start are larger and hardier for transplanting into the garden later on.
Protecting tender crops:
Sheets of clear plastic can be draped over hoops or tied to existing fencing to shield heat-loving crops like tomatoes, peppers, and even pumpkins from frost once mature. Leaving plants in the ground two to three weeks longer preserves the harvest.
Pre-warming the soil:
Laying a sheet of clear tarpaulin directly on top of a soon-to-be planted garden bed will increase the temperature of the underlying soil faster in springtime. This encourages earlier vegetable and flower germination without artificial heat.
discouraging pests:
Certain crop pests overwinter in garden debris and lay eggs on young spring leaves. A barrier of clear tarpaulin prevents access, reducing early season infestations for crops covered until the danger period has passed.
Other Garden Uses for Clear Plastic Sheeting
In addition to greenhouse construction and season extension methods, resourceful gardeners have found many creative ways to utilize clear plastic sheeting around the landscape:
Weed barrier mulch:
Laying a sheet of clear tarpaulin underneath organic mulches like wood chips or straw prevents weeds from sprouting. The plastic warms the soil, encouraging plant growth while eliminating manual weeding for months.
Floating row cover:
Placed loosely over top of young seedlings or plants, clear tarpaulin creates a miniature greenhouse effect to boost temperatures just a few degrees. It also serves as a barrier to repel common garden pests like cabbage worms and Japanese beetles.
Seasonal cover:
Slipping sections of clear plastic over maturing berry bushes allows the fruit to ripen on schedule while preventing birds and other wildlife from snacking. Similarly, a tarpaulin cover protects a newly dug pit of stored winter squash or potatoes.
Diy cold frame:
With a simple wood frame constructed from scrap lumber and covered by clear plastic, a cold frame capitalizes on passive solar heating. It extends the usable garden space, starting seeds weeks earlier than outside.
Temporary shelter:
In rainy periods, loose draping of clear plastic over an area of the landscape provides just enough coverage to allow garden tasks to continue safely. An open-sided “lean-to” style plastic shelter also protects compost piles from excess water.
Tips for Choosing and Installing Clear Tarpaulin
Now that we’ve explored many beneficial uses of clear tarpaulin, it’s important to properly select and install the material for maximum effectiveness. Here are some recommendations:
Thickness:
Heavier 10 mil sheeting withstands harsher weather but is less pliable. 4-6 mil performs well for most garden applications.
Width:
For greenhouse coverage, choose a width that minimizes seams for strength. Tall hoops may require joining strips.
Sealing seams:
Apply clear silicone caulk to all edges or seams to prevent leaks. This is critical with extended use.
Fasteners:
Use rustproof staples, fiberglass pegs/stakes, or winged plastic clips to anchor edges and prevent flapping damage.
Conclusion
Clear tarpaulin sheeting is a remarkably versatile and cost-effective building material for any gardener looking to extend their growing seasons and maximize crop productivity. Its light-transmitting properties combined with weatherproof durability make it an excellent covering choice for greenhouses, hoop houses, cold frames, and various season extension techniques.
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