One of my tomato gardens was ruined by flea beetles last year and the ensuing anthracnose epidemic. I don't want it to happen again this year.

I plan to put floating row cover over the young plants I put out. But how long do I need to keep it in place? and how do I "install" it? Apparently it needs to be supported by hoops---any creative way to make the hoops so I don't have to buy them?

I mulch with newspaper to keep soil-born spores from splashing on the plants. Any other recommendations?

Thanks! I LOVE my homegrown tomatoes and it was so painful to see the fungus ruining them.