Extend The Growing Season

Q:  “What’s a simple, inexpensive way to extend the growing season with winter protection? I can’t afford a greenhouse but I’m sure there are ways to do this with what I have, or close.”

There are some very cold tolerant veggies that you should be able to harvest from for way into winter, with just a little shelter. One way is straw bales surrounding the plants, like a box. For nighttime cover or extra brutal days you can lay old windows over the top, or cover with heavyweight clear plastic. You could even add simple wire hoops to raise the plastic up a bit to catch the sun’s rays and increase the heat. Be sure to raise the sides to avoid “cooking” the plants.

Plants that are pretty cold-hardy are spinach and most greens, Chinese cabbage, Swiss chard, and some lettuces. I’ve picked chard in the snow in January. Carrots get sweeter as it gets colder, so cover them with a thick straw mulch for protection. This may extend your harvest all the way till Christmas!

Sherrie Ottinger, The Tennessee Dirtgirl