Protecting Eggplants

Last year the only eggplants that survived and produced fruit lived in the greenhouse. Flea beetles killed those planted outdoors. The year before those protected with floating row covers did well so this year we are using more elaborate tents to prevent flea beetles from finding them.

Since the spun fabric is seven feet wide, we made a four foot wide aluminum frame of 3/8 inch diameter aluminum rods suspended about a foot above the ground. Seams along both sides and ends captures more aluminum rod and can be stapled to the ground if weight and mulch are not able to keep the edges tight enough against the ground to keep flea beetles out.

Well Mulched Eggplants About to be Covered with Fabric

First Tent with 28 Eggplants Inside with 30 Still Needing Protection