Lay it over a bed right after direct seeding. It shades the surface, slows evaporation and keeps birds off, so carrots, beets, spinach and other slow, small-seeded crops come up evenly.
- Higher germination. Holds moisture at the soil surface so seeds don't dry out between waterings.
- Keeps birds off. Birds can't pick seed or pull up tender sprouts.
- Water right through it. Seed, water, roll it out, pin it down. No need to lift it to irrigate.
- Built to last 10+ years. UV-protected knitted net with finished edges and corner grommets. It won't fray or unravel when cut.
What's in the box
One roll of Germination Netting, 48 in wide by 100 ft long, with finished edges and corner grommets. Staples sold separately.
Free shipping on orders over $25 in the Lower 48 · Most orders ship within 24 hours
- 70% Shade, to cool the soil surface
- 48 in Wide: covers a 30 in bed with overlap to pin
- 100 ft Long, one full bed per roll
- 10+ yrs Expected life with normal use
Pairs well with
-
Stainless Steel Landscape Staples
Pin the edges down. Stainless won't rust in wet beds.
$37.25 -
JP1 Jang Seeder
Direct seed the bed, then cover it with netting.
From $487.00Choose -
Low Tunnel Shade Cloth
Lighter shade for growing crops through summer.
From $95.00Choose -
InsectaNet
Insect netting for once the crop is up.
From $127.00Choose
Specs at a glance
- Size
- 48 in wide × 100 ft long
- Shade rating
- 70%
- Material
- UV-protected black polyethylene, round-wire knitted monofilament
- Edges
- Fully finished to prevent rolling, with corner grommets for tying or staking
- Cutting
- Knit won't unravel or fray if cut or torn
- Fits
- 30 in beds, with overlap onto the paths for pinning
- Expected life
- 10+ years with normal use
Documents
Germination netting questions
Still not sure? Email hello@moderngrower.co or call 877-850-1555.
How do I use it?
- Direct seed and water the bed as normal.
- Roll the netting down the bed. The 48 in width covers a 30 in bed and lays into both paths.
- Pin the edges with landscape staples or weigh them down with sandbags.
- Water through the netting as needed.
- Check daily, and pull the netting as soon as you see emergence so seedlings don't stretch.
- Roll it up and move it to your next planting.
Which crops benefit most?
Slow, small-seeded crops that need the surface to stay moist for days: carrots, parsnips, beets, spinach and similar crops. It helps most in hot, dry or windy weather, and anywhere birds go after seed.
Do I have to take it off to water?
No. Water goes straight through the netting, so you can irrigate overhead without lifting it.
When should I take it off?
As soon as you see the crop emerging. Left on too long, seedlings stretch toward the light. Check under it daily once you're near the expected germination date.
Can I cut it to a shorter length?
Yes. The knit won't unravel or fray when cut, so you can cut pieces to fit shorter beds.
How is this different from cheap shade cloth?
Bargain shade cloth frays at the edges, rips when you pin it and breaks down in the sun within a couple of seasons. This is a dense, UV-protected knitted net with finished edges and corner grommets, made to be rolled out, pinned, pulled and rerolled hundreds of times over 10+ years.
Made to be reused
Finished edges, corner grommets and a knit that won't fray, so one roll covers bed after bed for years.
Real people answer
Questions go to our team, not a bot. hello@moderngrower.co · 877-850-1555
Ships from the US
In stock, with most orders out within 24 hours. Free shipping over $25 in the Lower 48.
About Modern Grower Germination Netting
Modern Grower Germination Netting is a 70% shade knitted net, 48 in wide and 100 ft long, made to lay over a bed right after direct seeding. It shades the soil surface, slows evaporation and keeps birds away from seed, so slow, small-seeded crops like carrots, parsnips, beets and spinach come up evenly.
Why the first week matters
Most failed sowings come down to the soil surface drying out before the seed can root. A hot afternoon or a breezy day can crust a bed that was watered that morning, and a patchy stand can cost a full planting cycle. Netting keeps the seed zone evenly moist, and you can water straight through it.
Built to last
The net is UV-protected black polyethylene, knitted from round monofilament so it won't unravel or fray when cut. Finished edges keep it from rolling, and corner grommets make it easy to tie or stake down. With normal use it should last 10 years or more. The 48 in width covers a standard 30 in bed with overlap onto both paths for pinning.