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.

BIU Fall Gardening 2019 Handout

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.

BIU Season Extension Handout

University of Kentucky Extension Season Extension Tools and Techniques

Marketing, Tools and techniques, transplants, windbreaks, mulches, shade, irrigation, and economic considerations.

Season Extension Tools and Techniques – UKY, CCD

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

seasonext

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

coldclimatecrops

Winter Planning Dates

How to Use This Chart
  • 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 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.

Winter Planting Dates

Link to the Chart:

https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/vegetables/winter-harvest-planting-chart.html

High Tunnels

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 Manual

High Tunnel Runoff Drip Examples

A PDF that illustrates how to set up a water runoff system in a high tunnel.

High Tunnel Runoff Drip Examples

High Tunnels Materials & Construction

Terminology, Diagrams, Covering Materials, Attachment Techniques, End Walls, and Side Walls

High Tunnel Terminology

Vacuum Breaker

Assembly breakdown of a Vacuum Breaker

Vacuum Breaker-timer

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 

Link

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.  

INTRO

CALENDAR

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. 

How to Build a High Tunnel 

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. 

https://www.uky.edu/ccd/production/system-resources/gh-ht  

NRCS document on deciding to get a high tunnel 

https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_PLANTMATERIALS/publications/mipmcar9778.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.

BIU Season Ext and Low Tunnels

West Virginia University Extension Low Tunnels for Beginners

Includes: Construction/Materials, Row Covers, Early Spring Use, Variety Selection, and other considerations.

Low Tunnels For Beginners

Virginia Tech Low Tunnels in Vegetable Crops: Beyond Season Extension

Includes: Types of Cover, Microenvironment conditions, Production, Use Efficiency, Pests/Diseases, and Instillation.

Low Tunnels