Green Tarpaulin: Uses, Sizes & Why Green Is the Right Choice for Your Application
Green is the second most popular tarpaulin colour in the UK — and for good reason. A green tarpaulin blends naturally into outdoor environments, from gardens and allotments to woodland sites and agricultural settings. Whether you're covering a compost heap, protecting farm equipment or creating a windbreak, this guide explains when to choose green and what to look for.
Why Choose a Green Tarpaulin?
Visual Discretion
The primary reason most buyers choose green over blue or silver is aesthetics — a green tarpaulin blends into a garden, field or rural setting far more naturally than a bright blue or reflective silver cover. This matters when the cover will be visible from neighbouring properties, public roads or within a formal garden setting.
Garden & Allotment Use
Green tarps are the go-to choice for gardeners and allotment holders covering raised beds, protecting crops from frost, mulching paths or storing compost materials. A dark green tarpaulin over a raised bed suppresses weeds effectively, and looks neat compared to other colours.
Agricultural & Farming Applications
Farmers and agricultural workers widely use green tarpaulins because they complement the natural environment. Covering machinery, hay bales, feed stores and farm buildings with green tarps is standard practice across UK farms.
Events & Outdoor Festivals
Event organisers frequently specify green tarpaulins for ground sheets, canopy covers and backstage screening because they photograph well and blend with outdoor surroundings — essential when the event takes place in a heritage or natural setting.
Popular Uses for Green Tarpaulins
| Application | Recommended GSM | Typical Size |
|---|---|---|
| Garden furniture cover | 120–140gsm | 3m × 4m or 4m × 5m |
| Raised bed / vegetable garden | 100–130gsm | 2m × 3m or 3m × 4m |
| Allotment cover / mulch sheet | 90–120gsm | 4m × 5m or 5m × 8m |
| Agricultural equipment cover | 170–200gsm | 6m × 8m or 8m × 10m |
| Hay bale / silage cover | 200–270gsm | Custom large sizes |
| Groundsheet / camping | 120–170gsm | 4m × 5m or 5m × 6m |
| Market stall canopy | 160–180gsm | 4m × 6m or 6m × 8m |
| Construction site cover | 200gsm+ | 6m × 10m+ |
Green Tarpaulin vs Blue Tarpaulin: Which Should You Choose?
The honest answer is that both blue and green tarpaulins perform identically in terms of waterproofing, strength and UV resistance — the colour is purely cosmetic and functional (visibility). Choose green if: the cover will be in a garden, rural or natural setting; you want to reduce visual impact on neighbours or passers-by; the setting calls for a natural, unobtrusive appearance. Choose blue if: high visibility matters (e.g., emergency roof cover seen by contractors); you want to easily identify your cover among others; or the setting is industrial or commercial.
Green Tarpaulin Shades: Dark Green vs Bright Green
Most green tarpaulins are supplied in a standard dark olive or forest green — this shade provides the best camouflage in natural settings and is the most widely stocked option. Bright or lime green tarps are less common and more visually prominent. Unless specifically required, standard dark green is the right choice for outdoor applications.
Green & Brown vs Green & Silver
Two-tone green/brown tarpaulins are available for applications requiring enhanced camouflage — popular in woodland settings, hunting hides and military or outdoor training applications. Green/silver tarps (silver on the reverse) are less common but offer a heat-reflective back face for covering temperature-sensitive materials.
What GSM Green Tarpaulin Do I Need?
Follow the same weight rules as for any tarpaulin:
- 90–120gsm: Short-term garden use, allotments, camping ground sheets
- 140–170gsm: Market stalls, regular outdoor furniture cover, semi-permanent agricultural use
- 180–200gsm: Construction, long-term outdoor storage, heavy agricultural use
- 220–270gsm: Industrial, lorry, extreme weather or prolonged year-round outdoor use
For a full breakdown by application, see our complete GSM guide.
Buy Green Tarpaulins Online — UK Next-Day Delivery
Tarpaulins UK stocks green tarpaulins across the full weight range — from 90gsm economy through to 270gsm super heavy duty — in all standard sizes. Browse our full tarpaulin range to find the right green cover for your application, or call us on 01744 520 110 for personalised advice. All orders dispatched for next-day UK delivery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are green tarpaulins as waterproof as blue ones?
Yes — colour has no effect on the waterproofing performance of a tarpaulin. A green 170gsm tarpaulin performs identically to a blue 170gsm tarpaulin of the same specification. The colour is a cosmetic choice only.
What shade of green are your tarpaulins?
Our green tarpaulins are supplied in standard dark forest/olive green — the most widely stocked shade for outdoor and agricultural use. This colour provides good natural blending in garden and rural settings.
Can I get a green tarpaulin in a custom size?
Yes — Tarpaulins UK can supply green tarpaulins in custom sizes for agricultural, commercial and industrial applications. Call 01744 520 110 to discuss your requirements and get a quote for custom-cut sizes.
What size green tarpaulin do I need for a garden?
For covering garden furniture, a 3m × 4m or 4m × 5m green tarpaulin is usually sufficient. For raised beds or allotment use, a 4m × 5m or 5m × 8m sheet provides good coverage. Always add at least 30cm overhang on each side beyond what you're covering. See our full tarpaulin size guide for detailed measurements.