Not all crop covers are created equal. Whether you're a home gardener protecting tomatoes from a late frost or a commercial grower managing thousands of row feet, choosing the right crop protection fabric can make or break your season. At Tarps America, we carry the three most trusted solutions in agriculture: Agribon® Floating Row Covers, AG Guard Pro 20, and Perforated Row Covers. This guide explains exactly what each product does, how they differ, and which one is right for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Agribon vs. AG Guard vs. Perforated Row Covers
| Feature | Agribon® (AG-15 to AG-70) | AG Guard Pro 20 | Perforated Row Covers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Spunbonded polypropylene (nonwoven) | Spunbonded polypropylene (nonwoven) | Transparent perforated film (polyethylene) |
| Weight Range | .45 oz/sq yd (AG-15) to 2.0 oz/sq yd (AG-70) | .55 oz/sq yd | Film — not weight-rated |
| Frost Protection | 0°F (AG-15) to 10°F+ (AG-70) | Up to 4°F | Moderate — creates greenhouse microclimate |
| Light Transmission | 95% (AG-15) to 30% (AG-70) | 85% | Near 100% (clear film) |
| Insect Control | Excellent (especially AG-15, AG-19) | Excellent | Limited (holes allow some insects) |
| Hail Protection | Light to moderate | Light to moderate | Good |
| Best For | Season extension, pest control, frost protection | Commercial season extension, IPM programs | Early spring warming, strawberries, tubers, brassicas |
| Reusable | Yes — multiple seasons | Yes — multiple seasons | Limited — single or few seasons |
| Available Widths | Up to 50' | Up to 20' | 33' and 39' |
Agribon® Floating Row Covers — The Industry Standard
Agribon® is the most recognized brand name in agricultural row covers — and for good reason. Made from lightweight spunbonded polypropylene, Agribon floating row covers allow light, air, and water to pass through freely while creating a warm microclimate around your plants. The fabric is light enough to lay directly on most crops without support hoops ("floating"), eliminating the need for wire frames in most applications.
Agribon comes in five grades, each engineered for a different level of protection:
Agribon AG-15 — Insect Control & Shade (Ultralight)
- Weight: ~.45 oz/sq yd
- Light Transmission: ~95%
- Frost Protection: Minimal — primarily an insect barrier
- Best For: Keeping aphids, flea beetles, cabbage loopers, and other insects off crops without restricting airflow or light in warm weather
- Use Case: Summer vegetables, brassicas, herbs — any crop where insect exclusion is the priority and heat buildup must be minimized
Agribon AG-19 — Light Frost & Insect Control
- Weight: ~.55 oz/sq yd
- Light Transmission: ~85%
- Frost Protection: Up to 2–4°F
- Best For: Spring and fall season extension combined with insect exclusion
- Use Case: Transplants, seedlings, lettuce, spinach, strawberries — the most popular all-around row cover for home gardeners and small farms
Agribon AG-30 — Medium Frost Protection (Most Popular)
- Weight: .9 oz/sq yd
- Light Transmission: 70%
- Frost Protection: 4–6°F
- Best For: Reliable frost protection through moderate cold events; overwintering ornamentals in mild climates
- Use Case: Nursery stock, vegetables, berries, bedding plants in spring — the commercial grower's go-to for dependable cold protection with good light passage
Agribon AG-50 — Heavy Frost Protection
- Weight: ~1.25 oz/sq yd
- Light Transmission: ~50%
- Frost Protection: 6–8°F
- Best For: Harsh late-season frosts; extended cold periods
- Use Case: Overwintering perennials, protecting tender crops through hard freezes — typically used with hoops or support structures to prevent heat buildup during mild days
Agribon AG-70 — Maximum Frost Protection
- Weight: ~2.0 oz/sq yd
- Light Transmission: ~30%
- Frost Protection: 8–10°F+
- Best For: Maximum cold protection; overwintering in harsh climates
- Use Case: Perennial overwintering, nursery protection, short-term use during severe cold events — must be supported on hoops; not suitable for daytime use in mild weather due to heat buildup and reduced light
AG Guard Pro 20 — Professional-Grade Season Extender
The AG Guard Pro 20 is Tarps America's own premium spunbonded polypropylene row cover — designed to compete directly with Agribon AG-19/AG-30 in weight and performance, while offering commercial-quality reinforced seams and bulk roll availability at competitive pricing.
At .55 oz/sq yd with 85% light transmission and up to 4°F of frost protection, the AG Guard Pro 20 hits the sweet spot for most growers: enough warmth to protect against late spring and early fall frosts, enough light for active photosynthesis, and a tight enough weave to exclude insects without chemical intervention.
Key advantages of the AG Guard Pro 20 include its heat-bonded reinforced seams that resist tearing under wind load — a critical feature for open-field and high-tunnel applications — and its availability in extra-long rolls (up to 1,000 feet) in widths from 83 inches to 20 feet, making it ideal for large commercial plantings.
When to Choose AG Guard Pro 20 Over Agribon
- You want competitive pricing on bulk commercial rolls
- You need reinforced seam durability for high-wind environments
- You're looking for an AG-19/AG-30 equivalent with long roll lengths
- You're running an IPM program and need reliable insect exclusion alongside frost protection
Perforated Row Covers — The Warm-Season Early-Start Solution
Perforated row covers are a completely different product category from nonwoven fabric covers. Made from transparent perforated polyethylene film, these covers function more like mini-greenhouses than traditional row covers. The clear film allows near-100% light transmission while trapping heat and humidity beneath the cover, creating a warm microclimate that accelerates germination and early growth.
The key differentiator is the perforation pattern — thousands of small holes punched through the film allow air exchange, preventing overheating while still providing significant warmth accumulation. This makes perforated covers ideal for early spring soil warming when you want to push planting dates earlier without the risk of baking plants under solid film.
Best Crops for Perforated Row Covers
- Strawberries — advance ripening by 1–2 weeks
- Tubers & root vegetables — accelerate early establishment
- Brassicas — protect transplants while promoting rapid early growth
- Sweet corn — earlier planting in cold soils
- Multi-row applications — wide 33' and 39' widths cover multiple rows in a single pass
Perforated vs. Nonwoven: Key Differences
- Light: Perforated film passes near 100% light vs. 50–95% for nonwoven Agribon grades
- Heat: Film retains significantly more heat — better for soil warming, but riskier in sunny, warm conditions
- Insect control: Perforations limit insect exclusion compared to nonwoven fabrics
- Durability: Film is generally less reusable than nonwoven polypropylene covers
- Hail: Film provides better hail protection than lightweight nonwoven
Which Crop Protection Cover Is Right for You?
Choose Agribon AG-15 if your primary concern is insect control in warm weather with minimal frost risk.
Choose Agribon AG-19 or AG Guard Pro 20 if you want the best all-around row cover for spring/fall season extension combined with insect exclusion — the most versatile and popular choice for most growers.
Choose Agribon AG-30 if you need reliable 4–6°F frost protection for nursery stock, vegetables, or overwintering in moderate climates.
Choose Agribon AG-50 or AG-70 if you're protecting crops through hard freezes or severe winter conditions — use with support hoops.
Choose Perforated Row Covers if your goal is early spring soil warming and accelerated crop establishment across multiple rows, especially for strawberries, brassicas, tubers, or sweet corn.
Shop Crop Protection at Tarps America
Tarps America stocks all grades of Agribon floating row covers, AG Guard Pro 20 in multiple widths and roll lengths, and perforated film row covers — all available for fast shipping. Bulk pricing available for commercial growers. Questions? Call us at (337) 282-5115 or email sales@tarpsamerica.com.
Shop Agribon Row Covers | Shop AG Guard Pro 20 | Shop Perforated Row Covers