Growing Fresh Veggies in Fall and Winter Part 2
Protective Materials and Structures
In Part 1 of Growing Fresh Veggies in Fall and Winter, we talked about the basics.
Here’s more information on the main types of frost protectors and links to some sources to get you started.
Cloches
How they work: Protect individual plants from light frosts; raise temperature slightly
How to use them: Place over individual plants when frost is expected, remove when temps are above freezing. Usually placed in the evening and removed in the morning. Can also be used with early spring plant starts.
Sources: Clean glass jars and bowls; plastic jugs and bottles with bottoms removed; manufactured cloches
Mulches
How they work: Insulate plants in ground from freezing temps; maintain moisture in soil
How to use them: Layer thickly on top of mature root and bulb crops.
Sources: Compost, straw, deciduous leaves, evergreen needles
Row cover fabrics
How they work: Insulate plants and soil from frost; raise temperature slightly; protect from insect and bird damage. Water and sunlight pass through them.
How to use them: Lay over plants (flat over small seedlings, loosely over tall plants); use over hoop frame. Since they “breathe” they may be used day and night—no need to remove when temps are warm. Can also be used during spring and summer seasons.
Sources:
Farmtek Agribon+ Row Cover (protection down to 24 degrees F./-4 degrees C.)
Gardens Alive Heavyweight Row Covers (protection down to 24 degrees F./-4 degrees C.)
Poly low tunnels/hoops
How they work: Insulate plants and soil from frost; raise temperature; maintain humidity
How to use them: Install hoop supports and secure poly film over hoops; use drip irrigation on soil or lift cover to water plants. Leave ends open during cool weather, close ends during frigid weather. Poly tunnels may be used day and night—no need to remove when temps are warm.
Sources:
Garden.com Easy Fleece Tunnel 10Ft L X 18In W X 12In H
Garden.com Easy Poly Tunnel 10Ft L X 18In W X 12In H
Garden.com Eco Poly Tunnel 10Ft L X 24In W X 18In H
DIY:
Extend Your Growing Season by Barbara Pleasant at Mother Earth News
Use Low Tunnels to Grow Veggies in Winter: Quick Hoops by Eliot Coleman at Mother Earth News
Make an Easy, Inexpensive Mini-Greenhouse With Low Tunnels by Barbara Pleasant at Mother Earth News
Cold frames
How they work: Insulate plants and soil from frost; raise temperature; maintain humidity
How to use them: Construct or purchase cold frame with solid sides and clear glass or plastic cover that can be propped open for temperature and humidity control.
Sources:
Garden.com Poly Tex Cold Frame Single
Garden.com Sunshine Garden Starter Cold Frame
DIY: Can easily be made with wood, straw bales, other materials and a window or shower door cover.
Very clever, very simple cold frame from 5R Farm
Make a Cold Frame for Herbs (great cold frame info for veggies too) by Barbara Pleasant at The Herb Companion
Cold Frame Plans (wood) by Betsy Matheson Symanietz at Mother Earth News
A Cold Frame to Build (straw bales) by Paul Gardener at GRIT
Cold Frame Gardening at KitchenGardenerMagazine
Greenhouses, high tunnels
How they work: Sun shines through clear glass, plastic or polycarbonate walls, creating a warm and humid environment for plants. May be heated or unheated.
How to use them: Start seedlings, harden off seedlings started in warmer room, extend production of warm-season plants, overwinter hardy plants.
Sources:
Farmtek Greenhouses & Accessories
Garden.com BIO-Star Greenhouse with Base Lean-To
Garden.com 10 Foot x 10 Foot Greenhouse
DIY: Planning and Building a Greenhouse from Maryland and West Virginia Cooperative Extensions
The Benefits of Building a High Tunnel by George Devault at GRIT
Sources of DIY materials
Farmtek/GrowersSupply hoops for tunnels
Farmtek/GrowersSupply greenhouse films for tunnels, cold frames, greenhouses
Johnny’s Selected Seeds Quick Hoops Low Tunnels
Note about product links in this post: Unfortunately the Gurney products first published in this post were unavailable and the links did not work. We’ve added a link to The Garden Cloche store. These product links are solely to help you get started on your investigation of available products; they do not represent product recommendations. The only product we have personally used is the Gardens Alive Row Cover, and that we do heartily recommend.
Read more about Growing Fresh Veggies in Fall and Winter in Part 3.
This information is presented in conjunction with a live Rural Living Today event:
Growing Fresh Veggies in Fall and Winter
Friday, September 21, 2012 in Chewelah, Washington
A Gardener’s Gift Bucket full of fun and helpful goodies will be given away at the live event.
Rural Living Today subscribers will be eligible to enter an online drawing too! Watch the RLT blog for details in September.
This post shared at Homestead Barn Hop, The Morristribe’s Homesteader Blog Carnival, Frugal Ways, Sustainable Days, Simple Lives Thursday, Rural Thursday
Title photo credit; Hoops photo credit; Cold frame photo credit
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I replanted for fall. I hope it works out!
Lisa, we can compare notes! BTW I loved your Two Bears Farm story about the Chincoteague pony swim! Took me back a few decades–I wore out my ponies of Chincoteague books when I was young.
I hope you have good luck with your fall planting. With the hot/dry summer, I wonder what autumn will bring?
Nancy recently posted..I do NOT have Attention Deficit Dis… Oh look, craft supplies!
Hopefully cooler temps and a little rain! And beautiful colors…