If you’re a keen horticulturalist, an avid planter or a skilled cultivator then you’ll know just how vital a garden tarp is. Whether you’re keeping your beloved veg patch weed free or collecting leaves and cuttings, the humble tarp offers an answer to so many problems in the garden.

But more than any other, the garden tarp answers one question – how to keep your gardening gear protected, whether that’s overnight or over winter. From your beloved ride-on lawnmower to your outdoor furniture set, from spades to trowels, the humble garden tarp offers the protection from the elements that you need to keep your garden equipment safe.

In this blog, we’ll show you exactly how to choose the right garden tarp – from what size and weight to choose – and share how you can protect your garden gear, whatever the weather.

Why do you need a garden tarp?

As the days get shorter and we move towards the end of summer, many gardeners will begin storing tools and equipment for the winter months. But why do you need a garden tarp to protect your gear?

If you’ve ever left a trowel outside for a long period of time – whether that’s over winter or just in the dew of autumn and summer – then you’ll know the damage the elements can do. Rust sets in, wood becomes brittle and quite quickly a new trowel will look 50 years old.

But it’s not just trowels and spades. Cars, boats, play areas, garden furniture and barbecues all need protecting from the elements. Because there’s nothing worse than coming back to switch on the grill a long winter only to discover your beloved barbeque has been battered and ruined by the weather.

A garden tarp is the perfect tool for protecting your valued items from the elements – especially the detrimental effects of wind, rain, snow and ice in wintry conditions. But how do you choose the right garden tarp for the job?

How to get the right size for your garden tarp

Getting the right size tarp is vital for any job. Too small and you’ll leave parts of your equipment uncovered to the elements and potential damage. Too big and you’ll be left with a tonne of excess and have to cut or amend the tarp to fit the job. So you need a foolproof way of getting the correct size tarp to cover a 3D object.

To do this, all you need to do is measure the length and width of the top of the object you need to cover – you may need to estimate a little if it’s not a flat-topped object. Then consider how far down the object you want the tarp to drape – you may just want a slight overhang or to completely cover the sides. You can then add this all up and you’ll have your desired tarp size.

For example, if you need the tarp to cover one metre on all sides, just add two metres to your length and width measurement so that the tarp will drape down one metre on all four sides.

If you need more help with this, see our handy tarp measuring guide or use our tarp size calculator.

What garden tarpaulin should you use?

Once you’ve decided on what size garden tarp you’ll need, you’ll want to consider the type of tarp you’re after – this means taking into account the weight or thickness of the tarp, the protection you want to offer and the colour.

Just about any of our tarpaulins will do the job of covering and protecting your garden gear overnight or over winter. But if you’re looking for an especially resilient garden tarp, the best option is probably our Topgrade tarpaulin. Its quality and build mean it’s capable of handling just about any garden task but is still available at a great price.

Made from tightly woven polyethylene and weighing 200 grams per square metre, it’s UV resistant, and it’s perfect for covering your garden furniture, swings, trampolines, play equipment cars and boats. Our Topgrade tarps are available in a range of colours including a classic garden green.

How should you secure your garden tarp?

Once you have your garden tarp, you’re just about ready to keep your gardening equipment safe and secure – but there is one more thing you’ll have to consider: how to secure your garden tarp.

With durable metal eyelets every metre, our tarps are easy to tie down or fix in place. Simply tie with rope, adjustable straps or bungee cords and you’re done.

Alternatively, there are a whole host of other tarp accessories that make it easy to secure your garden tarp and protect your equipment. These include MIDI Holdons, Hippo Swivel Clips and more gadgets that make protecting your gardening gear simpler than ever.

Need help finding the perfect garden tarp for the job?

A garden tarp might seem like a simple piece of kit but, in reality, it’s one of the most versatile and valuable tools you can own.

Whether you’re shielding your garden furniture from a frosty winter, keeping your tools rust-free or protecting a treasured vehicle, the right tarp can save you time, money and frustration. And by choosing the right size, weight and securing method, you can be confident your gear is ready to use whenever you need it – whatever the weather throws at you.

If you need any advice on which garden tarp to choose, or if you have any more questions about our tarps or other products, get in touch today.