Facts about fleece
WHAT’S IT MADE FROM? Most fleece is made from UVstabilised, spunbonded (non-woven) polypropylene and is available in a range of thicknesses, measured as its density in grams per square metre (gsm). Lightweight, low-density fleece (generally 17-19gsm) will provide cold and frost protection down to about -2/-3C (26-28F). Thicker, winter fleece (30-35gsm or higher) gives roughly double that, and better protection from more damaging temperature extremes. WHAT’S IT FOR? Lightweight fleeces can be used in spring and summer to give weather and pest protection; thicker fleece is best for winter where you need to provide robust cold and frost protection. ADVANTAGES Fleece is porous, so air, sunlight and rain will penetrate it. You can water your plants without having to remove it every time they need a drink. The rise in temperature it creates means it
can help you extend the growing season by several weeks in both spring and autumn, promoting faster and earlier seed germination and later harvesting of vegetables and some flowers in autumn.
DISADVANTAGES As it’s light, it can have an annoying habit of blowing away in windy weather, so you’ll need to secure it firmly in place. It can be tied to plants, weighed down to the ground with heavy objects, and some suppliers provide ground pegs to fix it in place. CAN YOU WASH IT/ REUSE IT? If used with care, fleece (especially heavier grades) is re-useable. And you can put it in the washing machine on a cool (30C) cycle if it starts to look grubby.