- October 27, 2026
- Posted by: wellcoindustries
- Categories: Burlap, Erosion Control
For tender crops needing temporary frost protection, evaluate a frost cloth or horticultural fleece with instructions appropriate to the crop and conditions. For evergreens exposed to drying winter wind and sun, a burlap screen may be the more relevant arrangement. These are different protection tasks, not a contest in which the heavier-looking fabric always wins. Row-cover guidance supports the first use; University of Minnesota Extension describes burlap barriers for the second. 1 2
Choosing burlap or frost cloth starts with the plant, the expected stress and the way the material will be supported. Neither a generic fabric name nor an extra layer is a guarantee against severe cold.
Know What the Material Name Means
Frost cloth and horticultural fleece describe plant-covering products, but the names alone do not establish their composition, weight or level of protection. University of Maryland Extension describes conventional row cover as a lightweight nonwoven made from spun-bonded polyester or polypropylene. The RHS also identifies polypropylene fleece and alternatives made from other materials. Check the actual product rather than treating every fleece as woven polyester. 1 3
For the row covers described by Maryland Extension, spun-bonded identifies the nonwoven construction; it does not by itself state a frost-protection level. Check the product’s intended horticultural use, grade and instructions. 1
Burlap, also called hessian, is a woven cloth. For plant protection, confirm the actual fiber composition, weave and treatment rather than relying on the material name alone. A roll suitable for a screen should not automatically be substituted for a cover selected to provide a particular level of cold protection.
Choose by the Risk and the Arrangement
Use the following comparison to decide what to investigate first. It is a selection framework, not a performance rating for a particular product.
| Protection problem | First option to evaluate | What must be checked |
|---|---|---|
| Tender crops or transplants facing a frost event | A horticultural row cover or frost cloth intended for that use | Crop sensitivity, cover grade, light requirements and the product’s cold-protection instructions [1] |
| Evergreen foliage exposed to winter wind and sun | A supported burlap barrier positioned for the exposure | Barrier placement, access to air and light, and whether root-zone or other protection is also needed [2] |
| Both frost-sensitive planting and a need to reduce wind exposure | Separate the temperature-covering task from the screening task | Whether each arrangement remains supported and manageable; do not assume their protective effects simply add together [1][2] |
| Conditions beyond the chosen cover’s documented use, or a plant poorly suited to the winter climate | Shelter or a plant-specific protection plan rather than a fabric substitution alone | Local conditions, plant hardiness and guidance from a suitable horticultural adviser [2] |
A colder forecast is not, by itself, a reason to replace frost cloth with burlap. Likewise, lightweight fleece is not automatically useless in wind: properly secured crop covers can provide weather protection. The arrangement and the particular product matter. 1
Compare the Conditions Each Setup Needs
Cold protection and light
Within horticultural fleece products, lighter and heavier grades involve a trade-off between light transmission and cold protection. The RHS describes that distinction; it does not establish a single temperature gain for every product. Use the selected cover’s documented guidance, not an assumed temperature increase based on appearance. 3
A burlap screen changes exposure from a direction. It should not be described as a heated enclosure or a substitute for checking plant hardiness. Minnesota’s evergreen guidance distinguishes wind and sun injury from other winter damage, including root injury. 2
Contact, support and access
Some lightweight row covers can float over suitable crops. Maryland recommends support for medium- and heavyweight row covers and notes that repeated contact in wind can abrade plants. Check the plant’s form and the cover instructions before deciding whether direct contact is acceptable. 1
For a burlap barrier, decide where the screen stands and how it remains in position. Do not turn a directional barrier into a tight bundle around foliage simply to use less material. For the detailed seasonal setup, use our tree and shrub winter-protection guide.
Water and inspection
A fabric that admits rain still does not remove the need to inspect the planting. With row covers, Maryland advises monitoring watering and checking for rubbing or plant stress. Plan access before fastening a cover over an entire bed. 1
For either arrangement, define who will inspect it after weather changes and when it will be reassessed. Persistent wet contact, shifting material or damage to plants calls for review of the setup, not an automatic extra layer. Follow the selected system’s instructions for adjustment or removal.
Compare the Whole Requirement, Not Just Roll Price
There is no universal cost or lifespan winner between burlap and fleece. Compare equivalent products and the complete arrangement needed for the job.
For each option, record the treatment area, fabric specification, supports, fasteners, access for plant care and planned handling. If reuse matters, check the supplier’s guidance and the condition of the material rather than assuming a fixed number of seasons. Keep a replacement allowance separate from any verified product-life claim.
Before deciding, answer these questions:
- What needs protection: crop foliage, an evergreen’s exposed side, or a container and root zone?
- Is the main concern low temperature, drying wind, sun exposure, or more than one stress?
- What product information supports the intended use?
- Can the arrangement remain supported while allowing the necessary light, water and access?
- What will trigger adjustment, removal or a different protection method?
For a container, use our potted-plant winter burlap guide for that separate root-zone task. For other outdoor arrangements, our burlap plant-use guide helps route the application without treating every cover as interchangeable.
Discuss a Burlap Screen Requirement With Us
If the selection points toward a burlap screen, review our burlap roll product details and send us the intended application, a sketch or dimensions, required quantity, packaging needs and delivery destination. Include any specified material or treatment requirements.
Email [email protected] to confirm product options for your requirement. For a frost-cloth requirement, first establish the appropriate product and crop-protection instructions; a general burlap roll should not be treated as an equivalent substitute.
References
- University of Maryland Extension: Vegetable Garden Weather and Pest Protection. Row-cover composition, grades, support and monitoring; updated August 25, 2026.
- University of Minnesota Extension: Protecting Trees and Shrubs in Winter. Winter injury and evergreen barriers; reviewed in 2026.
- Royal Horticultural Society: Fleece and Crop Covers. Fleece materials and the relationship between product grade, light and protection; UK horticultural guidance.