When we were kids, we did the same thing (OK,we didn't do it in Californina, we watched movies of it being done in Michigan or some such place). Put a piece of white paper on top of the snow, and a piece of white paper (or a piece of clear plastic) and you will see the snow beneath the black paper melt much faster.

I thought about using Agribon or using 4 mil plastic and poking holes in it as the weather warms up. 

Hi mommagoose,

My second son went to Alfred U., and I made many trips between Vermont and Alfred on I-88.  Nice country for growing figs and grapes.  Keep us informed on your progress.

I had the pleasure of spending some time with Adriano yesterday.
as far as extending the growing season, he stresses getting an early start.
So in cooler places like z5 z6, in the warm days of spring/april, may, he gets his plants out into the sun, and if there is a possibility of frost, they go back into winter storage for protection. Then out again when it warms up enough.

grant
Z5b kitchener

Oops the secret is out !

Yes he knows,some of us do this. From garage to blacktop driveway as early here as March 12th then back in at night. This year i forget off top of me head but i posted about it each season for those curous.

Hey Martin,
I think from all the pictures of wonderful looking figs and trees that you know a lot of fig 'secrets'.

grant
Z5b

I've made a little progress on my fig tunnel.  It took about 30 minutes to construct.  I taped the plastic sheet to the 1 1/2" PVC pipe at the bottom of the hoops, and rolled it up and unrolled it on top of the hoops to drape over them. I can break this down in about 5 minutes, and I probably will do so soon.  The air temp outside the tunnel is 70*F, and it's 80*F inside, on a cloudy day too.

The ends are not finished yet, but I'll get them ready before the weather gets cold.

Andrew,

I use Rowcover Snap Clamps (1/2" for my application) from Peaceful Valley. They are durable, practical, modestly priced, and work very well.

JD

"Used to fasten greenhouse plastic, bird netting or shade cloth to PVC frames (see picture above), especially where wind blows coverings off. They easily snap over PVC pipe. Space clamps about 1 ft apart and use additional clamps in windier situations.

Clamp size is based on the inside diameter of the PVC pipe. When used on conduit, poly pipe, or pipe measured by outside dimensions, use 1/4" small snap clamp. For example 1" poly pipe would take a 3/4" snap clamp.

Keep in mind the clamps are heat sensitive and may lose gripping strength if exposed to temperatures greater than 140°F or 60°C."