There are some garden tricks that never really leave you once you learn them, and this simple little row cover weight is one of those. When fall winds start fussing with floating row cover or lightweight frost cloth, I like to make these easy weights from wooden popsicle sticks, twine, and a handful of small stones from the shed or garden path. They’re quick, inexpensive, and gentle enough to hold fabric in place without tearing it up.
I’m especially fond of projects like this because they remind me of the way folks used to make do with what they had on hand. Around here, that has always been a kind of quiet skill worth keeping. If you grow late lettuce, spinach, kale, or cover tender beds against an early chill, these little bundles are handy to keep by the garden gate.
Materials
Instructions
1. Sort your popsicle sticks into eight stacks of 3 sticks each, lining the ends up evenly so every bundle sits flat.
2. Wrap one 18-inch piece of twine around the center of each 3-stick stack and tie a snug square knot, leaving equal twine tails on both sides.
3. Place one small smooth stone on top of each tied bundle so the stone sits lengthwise across the sticks.
4. Pull the two twine tails up and over the stone, cross them underneath the bundle, then bring them back to the top and tie tightly so the stone is locked in place.
5. Trim the twine ends to about 2 inches long so they don’t tangle, but leave enough length that you can retie the bundle later if needed.
6. Make the remaining weights the same way until you have eight finished bundles ready for the garden.
7. Lay your row cover over the bed and set a weight every 2 to 3 feet along the edge, with the flat stick side against the fabric and the stone facing up.
8. Press each weight down gently so it grips the cover without stretching or tearing it, then adjust spacing anywhere the wind tends to sneak underneath.
Variations & Tips
Use heavier stones for windy spots: If you garden out in an open patch like I do, choose slightly heavier stones for the corners and bed ends where gusts hit first.
Double up for wider fabric: For bigger sheets of frost cloth, tie two finished bundles together with an extra 8 inches of twine to make a longer anchor.
Choose smooth stones only: Rough or jagged rocks can wear holes in row cover over time, especially after a few damp, windy nights.
Store them dry: Let the weights dry before tossing them back in the shed, or the twine can mildew and the wooden sticks may warp.
Keep a basket by the garden door: I like to make a batch at the start of fall and keep them in an old basket, because the first frosty evening always seems to arrive faster than expected.
Swap twine when needed: If jute is what you have, it works beautifully, but cotton garden twine is another good choice if you want a softer tie against delicate cover fabric.