How long to keep on floating row covers for leaf miner control in Swiss chard and beets. - Ask Extension
Last year I used Remay floating row cover to control leaf miners in my spinach, Swiss chard and beets and it worked great. So I'm using it again this...
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How long to keep on floating row covers for leaf miner control in Swiss chard and beets. #757314
Asked June 20, 2021, 2:37 PM EDT
Last year I used Remay floating row cover to control leaf miners in my spinach, Swiss chard and beets and it worked great. So I'm using it again this year. Last year I left it on until the veggies were so big they were pushing the Remay up. When I took it off I found the growth underneath was badly in need of thinning, which was a major job. This year I'd like to take the Remay off earlier, so I can thin when the plants are still small. But I'm not sure how much earlier would be okay. How long are the adults still laying eggs? I could take it off and put it back on (as I already have to water), but that's a big bother.
Ramsey County Minnesota
Expert Response
The problem with leafminers is there are several generations a year. Please read through our article on them. I can only suggest that you thin your plants when you remove the cloth to water. Leafminers in home gardens | UMN Extension