Many cherry growers ask us the same thing when they start planning a rain cover:
what width should the cover be and how should it fit between the rows?

In fact there is no fixed size. Every orchard is different. The row spacing, tree spacing, and even how the farmer wants the rainwater to fall will affect the final size of the cover. Because of this, when customers contact us, our team usually checks the orchard layout first before suggesting the cover width, length and fixing accessories.

For many cherry orchards the tree spacing is around 4 meters. With 4-meter tree spacing, most growers do not use very wide covers. In many orchards the rain cover is usually around 2 to 2.6 meters wide. Some growers make the slope a bit higher, so the cover may be about 2.4 meters. Others keep it lower, closer to 2 meters.

Installation also depends on the grower’s preference. Some orchards leave a small gap between two covers so rainwater can fall into the center of the row. Some growers simply connect the covers together and make a continuous roof.

 
A while ago we worked with a grower from Belgium. He shared a photo of his orchard and the basic layout with us. The orchard has 33 rows, each row about 80 meters long, and the tree spacing is 4 meters.

His request was a little different. He did not want the plastic to fully close the space between rows. He wanted the rainwater to drip down into the middle of the row instead of running along the trees. At the same time, the cover had to stay in position even in strong wind.

After checking the layout together, we suggested a 3-meter roof width, but divided into two pieces of film, each 1.5 meters wide. When installed with wire, the film forms a middle-high, two-side slope structure, so the water can drip down toward the center.

The final specification confirmed with the customer was:
 

• Color: Clear

• Thickness: 150 gsm

• Hole distance: 50 cm

• Size: 1.5 × 75 m (two pieces per row)

• C-hook: 5 cm

• Bungee ball: 20 cm

 
This is just one example. In practice, the right size always depends on the orchard spacing, row length and installation method.

If you are planning a cherry rain cover and are not sure about the size, you can send us the orchard spacing or a simple field photo. Our team can help check the layout and suggest a suitable cover size and accessories for your orchard.