This fall has been an unusual season in an already unusual year for many farmers across the east. We were lucky to be out of the path of Hurricane Helene, but other seed growers and farmers were not so lucky. In addition to that major disaster, average temperatures have risen across the region and there have been severe droughts, storms, or floods in some areas. Many farmers now hope that the extension of the season can provide some relief during this season and allow production in the fall, winter, or early spring.
Season Extension Guidelines and Resources
Season extension can be a great way to grow seed crops more often over the winter, produce more crops for market, or simply grow more food for your family. Here are a few of our favorite resources to help you make it happen:
University of Maryland Extension High Tunnel Best Management Practices by Neith Little
UMD has put together great basic information for managing a greenhouse or hoop house of any size. Learn more about pest control, soil care, plant selection, temperature management and more.
Read Tunnel Best Practices here.
Caterpillar Tunnel: An Inexpensive Variation on the Hoophouse Theme for Growing Markets.
A quick guide to setting up an inexpensive worm tunnel, which is a great option when buying a roundhouse isn’t possible.
Read the Caterpillar Tunnel guide here.
A Beautiful Cold Frame Garden by Rob Wotzak
Working with a small space? This article provides comprehensive, easy-to-follow instructions for building your own cold frame. “This system doesn’t require a lot of tools, a contract license, or 500 trips to the hardware store.”
Read Cold Drafting Here.
How to Grow Winter Hoop House Plants – Mother Earth News Magazine article by Pam Dawling
Our neighbor at Twin Oaks Community, Pam Dawling, wrote this helpful guide. He was their garden manager for several years, is the author of Sustainable Market Farming, and runs a blog under the same name (Sustainable Market Farming) full of useful, well-researched articles.
Learn How to Grow Winter Hoop House Plants here.
The All-Year Hoophouse, The: Polytunnels for All Seasons and All Weathers by Pam Dawling
Go deeper with Pam Dawling’s book on hoop houses. This is a complete, clear and easy-to-follow guide to designing and building a hoophouse and making it a success for growing mass, delicious fresh produce all year round, in any climate, for the market or just for your family.
Buy the Year Round Hoophouse here.
Michigan State University Extension Common Diseases in Organic Hoophouse Greens by Colin Thompson
Plant diseases can occur throughout the year, not just in the summer. Sensitive vegetables can be especially challenging and prone to fungal diseases in poorly ventilated winter greenhouses. This article offers some helpful tips to reduce that risk.
Read Common Diseases in Organic Hoophouse Greens here.
Four Seasons Harvest by Eliot Coleman
Eliot Coleman’s Four Season Harvest is popular in the Northeast. This handy guide has the information needed to grow it year-round even in the coldest Maine winters. This is a good guide for those farmers in mountain areas who face harsh winters.
Shop Four Seasons Harvest here.
SESE Blog 10 Season Extension Techniques by Jordan Charbonneau
New to season extension? Try one of these simple ways to keep growing in every situation from the SESE blog.
Read 10 Season Extension Strategies here.
University of Kentucky Extension Seasonal Extension Tools & Techniques
Get the basics on extending the season from floating row cover to high tunnels and tips on economic considerations, irrigation, cultivar selection and more.
Read Season Extension Tools and Strategies here.
NCAT ATTRA Crop Selection and Planting Schedules for Winter High Tunnel Production by Chris Lent
Find the plants and planting scheme that work for your area with this handy guide from NCAT. Also includes links to other resources on hoophouse manufacturing.
Read the Crop Selection and Planting Schedules for Winter Tunnel Production here.
Beginner Tips for Using Season Extension
-
Make sure you account for less daylight in your harvest days, not just cold temperatures.
-
Look for signs of fungal infections and remove affected items immediately.
-
Choose breeds and plants that are hardy and resistant to disease.
-
Bring out your seasonal extension whenever it’s warm enough to do so.
-
Double boost in temperature protection by using frost cover or low tunnels inside the hoop house.
-
Use your seasonal extension to help strengthen seedlings in the spring.
