Season Extension
Season Extension is the ability to both extend ones growing season and create a second growing season. This is usually done by providing a way for your plants to grow during the winter such as through a low tunnel or high tunnel. This list also includes crops that can be planted during the winter and winter planting dates. Getting more production from the garden is a great way to not let the soil lay bare while also getting some more food and income during the winter.
Season Extension Handouts
An in-depth review into Season Extension principles including multiple farm case studies.
What is Season Extension?. . 5
Risks and Benefits of Season Extension. . 6
Principles of Season Extension. . 7
Season Extension Practices. . 8
Processing to Add Value. . 20
Marketing for Season Extension. . 23
Case Studies. . 26
Additional Resources. . 47
A Guide to Season Extension – The Land Conection
Build it Up East Tennessee’s tips for Fall Gardening and Soil Health
Includes tips on Daylight, Garlic, Frost Cloth, Low-Tunnels, Soil Health, and Cover Crops.
Build it Up East Tennessee Fall & Winter Basic Growing Guide
Includes information on: Planning for Fall & Winter, Site Selection & Soil Preparation, Light, Timing, Fertility, Fall Harvest, Winter to Spring Harvest, and Season Extension Methods.
University of Kentucky Extension Season Extension Tools and Techniques
Marketing, Tools and techniques, transplants, windbreaks, mulches, shade, irrigation, and economic considerations.
Season Extension: Introduction and Basic Principles
Includes: What is season extension?, Advantages, Disadvantages, sustainability, specific temperature and hardiness levels, and assorted positive farming practices
Season Extension_ Introduction and Basic Principles _ NC State Extension
ATTRA Season Extension Techniques for Market Gardeners.
Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 1
Cultural Practices ……………………………………………………………………………………… 2
Plasticulture for Season Extension …………………………………………………………………. 6
Economics of Season Extension …………………………………………………………………… 21
References …………………………………………………………………………………………….. 22
Further Resources …………………………………………………………………………………… 24
Cold Crops
This is a National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service document that goes over ways to garden and farm in colder climates. It includes:
How Climatic Factors Affect Your Crops …………2
Planting Specialty Crops under the SPIN Model ……………………3
Specialty Cold Crops Without Season Extension Tools …………….3
Perennial Fruits …………….5
Other Alternative Crops to Consider …………7
Season Extension Techniques ……………………8
How to Market Cool-season Specialty Crops ………….10
Winter Planning Dates
- The date of planting for each crop listed in the chart is given by the number of weeks before the beginning of the Persephone Period, ie, the last 10-hour day.
- Your planting dates need to be back-scheduled by that number of weeks from the last 10-hour day at your latitude. To identify this exact date for your location, use an app or website such as Sundial – Solar & Lunar Times or SunriseSunset.
- The crops are grouped, as outlined in the
KEY, to reflect their reliability for winter-production success, from relatively easy to more challenging, as gauged by experienced high-latitude four-season growers. - Click on the crop names to browse specific varieties we have trialed and selected for winter-harvest success.
KEYLink to the Chart:
https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/vegetables/winter-harvest-planting-chart.html
High Tunnels – Grow Appalachia
High Tunnel Brochure
Grow Appalachia’s High Tunnel Program: What we do, Why High Tunnels, and Testimonials from the field.
Grow Appalachia High Tunnel Manual
Location, Soil Health, Orientation of the structure, Site Readiness, Ventiliation, High tunnel Coverings, Access, Water Sourcing & Irrigation, and Tools & Equipment
High Tunnel Runoff Drip Examples
A PDF that illustrates how to set up a water runoff system in a high tunnel.
High Tunnels Materials & Construction
Terminology, Diagrams, Covering Materials, Attachment Techniques, End Walls, and Side Walls
Modular Movable Gothic High Tunnel Information Sheet
Why High Tunnels and Why Movable High Tunnels
Grow Appalachia Specs for High Tunnels
Includes all of the necessary specifications for a Grow Appalachia High Tunnel
High Tunnels – Resources
Capital RC&D High Tunnel Page
Great All-around Resource Group. Includes webinars, a mailing list, a resource list, PDFs and newsletters, a Facebook page, a Video Library, Financial Assistance options, High Tunnel Vendors, High Tunnel FAQ’s, and Other Resources
High Tunnel Planting Calendar
Use the first link to learn how to use the second link. This will help you know when to plant both seeds and seedlings. It also shows you when to harvest.
Instructional Videos:
Kansas State High Tunnel Video Series
Focused more on large scale production, but good nevertheless.
https://www.sare.org/resources/kansas-state-high-tunnel-video-series/ –
Good Introduction to NRCS High Tunnels video with some resources at the bottom.
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/national/organic/?cid=nrcseprd1364702
Playlist from Iowa State Extension. Good overall coverage of different high tunnel questions and problems.
ATTRA Urban High Tunnel Agriculture. This resource goes over High Tunnels and their application to city environments as well as other management tips.
https://attra.ncat.org/product/high-tunnels-in-urban-agriculture/
UKY High tunnel page of publications
This link goes to the UKY page on specific crops.
https://www.uky.edu/ccd/production/crop-resources/ht-gh
This link goes to the UKY page on general resources.
NRCS document on deciding to get a high tunnel
https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/mipmcar9778.pdf
High Tunnel Tomato Production Material
https://extension.missouri.edu/media/wysiwyg/Extensiondata/Pub/pdf/manuals/m00170.pdf
Low Tunnels
Build it Up East Tennessee Low Tunnels and Season Extension
Includes: Introduction, Materials Needed, Construction, Use, Insect control, Troubleshooting, and other considerations.
West Virginia University Extension Low Tunnels for Beginners
Includes: Construction/Materials, Row Covers, Early Spring Use, Variety Selection, and other considerations.
Virginia Tech Low Tunnels in Vegetable Crops: Beyond Season Extension
Includes: Types of Cover, Microenvironment conditions, Production, Use Efficiency, Pests/Diseases, and Instillation.