Quick verdict
Two pop-up mesh tents, 45 by 22 inches and 18 inches tall, in dark green mesh that passes water and air, blocks birds and most insects and gives about 30 percent shade, which protects seedlings from scorching sun as well as pests. Eighteen inches of height suits crops a flat cover cannot, and the spring frame pops open and folds flat. They fit a 4 by 2 foot bed or part of a larger one. Pollinators are excluded, so lift at flowering.
Strengths
- Eighteen inches of headroom for growing crops
- Thirty percent shade protects seedlings in hot sun
- Mesh blocks birds and most insects
- Pops open and folds flat
- Two covers for two beds or one long bed
Weaknesses
- Fits 45 by 22 inch beds; measure yours
- Thirty percent shade is not wanted in cool, dull climates
- Spring frame needs pegging in wind
The overall YardToolLab Score is out of 100. Section scores are out of 10.
A Tent Over the Bed
A flat netting cover protects seedlings until they touch it; a pop-up tent gives them 18 inches to grow. KYRGEU’s covers are spring-framed mesh tents 45 by 22 inches at the base, in a dark green mesh that gives about 30 percent shade, blocks birds and most insects and lets rain through. They pop open, drop over a 4 by 2 foot bed and fold flat when not needed.
This review is based on the listing specifications and on how pop-up shade and pest tents perform on raised beds generally. We have not used these covers ourselves and the brand is a generic importer.
Shade and Pests
Thirty percent shade is the amount that keeps lettuce from bolting and seedlings from scorching in a hot summer while plants still get most of their light. The mesh also keeps off birds pulling seedlings, cabbage white butterflies and most flying pests. In cool dull climates the shade is a cost; there, a plain insect mesh is better.
Height
Eighteen inches lets peppers, bush beans, salads and brassica starts grow under cover for weeks. Tall crops outgrow it and move to hoops. The frame springs open and holds its shape; peg the base loops in wind.
Fit
Forty-five by 22 inches suits a 4 by 2 foot bed or a planter of that size, or a section of a longer bed with two covers end to end. Measure before buying; a cover an inch short leaves a gap at each end.
Pollination
Bees do not pass the mesh. Leafy crops do not care; beans, peppers and strawberries need the tent lifted at flowering or a daily shake to self-pollinate.
Who Should Buy It
- Gardeners in hot climates growing salads through summer.
- Owners of 4 by 2 foot beds with bird and butterfly pressure.
- Anyone hardening off trays outdoors.
Common Owner Complaints
Fit on other bed sizes and the frame blowing over. Measure; peg.
Technique Tips
Set the tent over the bed before pests find the seedlings, on sowing or transplanting day. Weight or peg every base loop; a tent lifted by one gust lets a cabbage white in for the afternoon. Lift the front edge to water and weed rather than removing the whole tent, and fold it along its own creases for storage so the spring frame does not kink.
Care
Shake out debris and dry the mesh before folding. Stored out of sun, the mesh lasts several seasons; the spring steel frame outlasts it.
Alternatives to Consider
The PURPLE STAR drawstring covers for low crops with no shade. Hoops and insect mesh for tall crops and long beds. Shade cloth on a frame for larger areas.
Verdict
For a small bed in a hot garden, a pop-up tent with shade and headroom protects seedlings and salads through the worst of summer. Measure the bed, peg the frame and lift it when the flowers need bees.
Full specifications
KYRGEU 2-Pack 45 x 22 x 18 Inch Pop-Up Mesh Raised Bed Covers with 30 Percent Shade FAQs
In hot climates, lettuce bolts and seedlings scorch in full sun. Thirty percent shade keeps them growing through the hottest weeks while still passing most of the light.
It is sized for a 45 by 22 inch footprint, roughly a 4 by 2 foot bed. On a larger bed it covers a section.
Up to about 16 inches before they press the mesh. Peppers, bush beans, salads and brassica starts suit it.
The mesh keeps them out. Lift the cover when fruiting crops flower.
