Why I use low row cover during Seattle's winters (and how NOT using it turned my ranunculus into a litter box)
By Stephanie - West Seattle Flower Farm
I use low row cover to protect my baby plants from wind, cold, and Mother Nature’s weather-related tantrums.
But it wasn’t until this year that I realized low row cover prevents another problem:
Turds in my ranunculus.
Last year (2024), I was on top of things. I planted in November and December, then immediately installed hoops and row cover over my raised beds.(I leave the ends up for ventilation.)
This year, as of early January (2026), I haven’t gotten to it putting up hoops and row cover yet. The weather’s been mild enough that it hasn’t felt urgent.
Seattle winters are mostly just wet. We might dip below freezing for short stretches. Sometimes we get snow. But our ground rarely freezes—and when it does, it’s brief.
I don’t think row covers are an absolute necessity for growing flowers in Seattle, but they offer a bit more security and flexibility if you’re an anxious grower like me.
Last year, I left the tunnel ends open until we got a cold blast—a few days of temperatures in the low 30s. I closed the tunnels for a day or two, then opened them back up.
The main concern with tunnels is creating too much moisture without enough ventilation, but keeping the ends open seemed to work well last year. No disease issues.
Beds of ranunculus, tucked in after a few days of freezing temperatures in February 2025
Why I use low row cover for spring flowers
The benefits of low row cover:
- Protects from wind (which gives you longer, stronger stems in spring)
- Helps moderate temperature swings during Seattle winters
- Keeps the soil temperatures a few degrees warmer (I used a soil thermometer to confirm this last year.)
- Deters critters from digging and leaving turds in your flower beds.
(That last one I learned the hard way this year.)
The crime scene
First, something came for my Iceland poppies. It dug around the bed, popping some of my precious plugs right out of the ground.
Then I noticed digging in the ranunculus. Most of my ranunculus were already leafy, so replanting wasn’t a huge deal.
But then one bed got really torn up.
My ranunculus, ripped to shreds.
I wasn’t sure if this was one suspect or multiple. Wings or four feet. A vendetta or just bad luck.
One culprit turned out to be a mole who tunneled straight through my ranunculus bed. (This mole makes cameo appearances a few times a year. Annoying, but tolerable.)
And then I found a turd.
Right in the middle of my expensive, fancy-pants Romance ranunculus. (I have a picture of the evidence, but I'll spare you.)
The suspect
My neighbors have this wonderful ginger cat who walks around the neighborhood like he’s a skinny, red-haired version of Tony Soprano.
The suspect, near the scene of the crime
I’m not a cat person. (I couldn’t handle a litter box.) But I appreciate outdoor cats because they help keep Seattle’s rat population in check.
But I love this cat.
Even my husband—also not a cat person—anxiously peered out the window on a particularly stormy night and said, “I hope the neighbor’s cat is OK.”
(Of course the cat was OK, he’s the neighborhood’s mob boss.)
This cat hangs out between my garden beds. He wanders into our backyard and sprawls on our deck to enjoy our view. When I’m working in the garage with the door open, he’ll stroll in like he’s Mr. Soprano strutting into Bada Bing.
The cat’s not exactly friendly or loving. He doesn’t want to be picked up and most of the time he’s uninterested in any human affection.
But I respect any creature who walks around the neighborhood like he owns the place, giving its other occupants side eye with a look that says: “I do whatever I want. Deal with it.”
The solution (probably)
Next week, I’m installing hoops and low row cover to gently encourage him to find a new bathroom.
Obviously, he’s innocent until proven guilty. He’s not the only cat in the neighborhood.
But he definitely seems like the type to leave a clear territorial message: “These are MY overpriced ranunculus. Beat it.”
And because I don’t like making accusations without proof, I installed a security camera on that side of the house to see if the Big Ranunculus Dumper returns.
Stay tuned.
Want your own fancy ranunculus (minus the cat turds)?
If you’re planting this winter, I still have ranunculus corms—and a bunch of other florist-quality varieties—available in my online store.
They’re easy to grow in Seattle. Plant them now through early January, and you’ll have therapy-grade blooms come spring.
And if you install row cover, you might even avoid the poop.
Use discount code TURD to take 25 percent off all ranunculus corms in the month of January.
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FAQ: Low Row Cover + Ranunculus in Seattle
What is low row cover?
Low row cover is a lightweight, breathable fabric that’s draped over garden beds—usually on hoops—to protect plants from wind, excess rain, and temperature swings while still letting in light, air, and water.
Is it different than frost cloth?
Frost cloth is a type of row cover, but it’s usually thicker and used temporarily during cold snaps to protect plants from freezing temperatures. I think of low row cover as a windbreaker you can leave on most of the winter, and frost cloth as the heavier coat you use when the forecast gets below freezing for days at a time.
While I tend to use the words “frost cloth” and “row cover” interchangeably because I only use low row cover. I don't bother with buying frost cloth since Seattle winters are so mild. If we were to get a very chilly blast of cold weather, I could use a second layer of low row cover or a clear tarp on top of the hoops if I got super concerned.
Do I need low row cover or frost cloth for ranunculus in Seattle?
Not always—but it helps. Seattle’s winters are mild, but low row cover protects plants from wind, excess rain, and temperature swings. And, apparently, bathroom-seeking cats.
When should I install row cover over ranunculus?
Ideally right after planting, especially if you’re planting in late fall or early winter. You can leave tunnel ends open for ventilation and close them during Seattle’s occasional cold snaps if temps dip into the 20s.
Does row cover prevent animals from digging in garden beds?
It doesn’t stop everything (hello, moles), but it does discourage cats, other critters and birds from treating your raised beds like a sandbox or hunting for snacks.
What row cover and hoops do you recommend?
I always buy this low row cover from Gardener's Workshop. As for hoops, there are a lot of DIY options out there, but I bought these cheap hoops from Amazon and use binder clips to hold it down.
Helpful links if you want to learn more:
👉 Ranunculus corms for sale (use discount code TURD to take 25 percent off all ranunculus corms this January.)
👉 How to grow ranunculus in the Seattle area