Module 11 Overview
This module introduces season extension principles and provides criteria for selecting among various techniques for season extension using raised beds to allow for planting and harvest during the school calendar year.
Learning Goals
This module will help you to:
- Define season extension related to raised bed gardens, including the concept of “microclimates”
- Discuss advantages and disadvantages of various garden fabrics and plastic covers used for season extension
- Identify thresholds for temperature damage and potential ways to control the flow of heat
- Create an estimated timeline for season extension activities
Roadmap
These items will all appear, in order, in the module.
- READ: What is Season Extension?
- READ & WATCH: Tips and Tricks for Successful Use of Season Extension Garden Covers
Please click NEXT at the bottom of this page to advance through the module. To return to the list of modules, PC users click “Modules” in the top left corner, App users click the back arrow in the top left header.
What is Season Extension?
Defining Season Extension
Season extension is a tool in the toolbox of the grower that allows a producer to grow vegetables and herbs into a season when the plant would not otherwise grow due to temperatures being too hot or too cold.
For example, in GTS we use season extension garden cover to protect cold-hardy vegetables and herbs to allow the plants to survive the winter so that students can harvest and enjoy the produce during the academic calendar.
Types of Season Extension covers
There are two major types of season extension covers used in GTS. They are the season extension garden cover and plastic. Both have their pros and cons.
You can potentially use both types of season extension at the same time. If extreme cold is predicted, you can place plastic over top of the existing season extension at the end of the school day to provide extra thermal protection against overnight lows.
Make sure to evaluate and factor in the microenvironment of where the garden is located. Additional heat to support the gardens winter growth can be found from daytime heat buildup from the buildings or parking lots. Conversely, a garden located in a low spot, or a depression, may get cooler than the surrounding area, as colder air sinks.
Please click NEXT at the bottom of this page to advance through the module. To return to the list of modules, PC users click “Modules” in the top left corner, App users click the back arrow in the top left header.
Tips and Tricks for Successful Use of Season Extension Garden Covers
This video provides some considerations for choosing a type of garden cover as well as some tips for effective use of garden covers for season extension.
(1 minute, 50 seconds)
Video Transcript: Use of Season Extension Garden Covers
Keep the following tips in mind as you use your garden covers:
- Make sure to track your weather so that you know when to place your cover.
- Do not remove your covers if they are frozen, you may tear the cover.
- At the end of the garden season, make sure to carefully store your cover so that you will have it ready to use next year.
- If you want to pop the cover off to take a harvest, make sure the cover is thawed and that the temperature is close to 50 degrees. Remove the cover, harvest, then replace the cover to rebuild up heat underneath. It is best to take harvest close to mid-day to allow the cover to thaw and then rewarm up underneath to be able to withstand low temperatures overnight.
- Make sure to use PVC pipes or similar supports to keep the cover from touching the plants. You should have at least 12-18 inches of clearance between your cover and the plants below. If the cover is touching the plants, that will act as a thermal transfer, and you may suffer plant damage from cold.
- Keep your covers tight to the ground with smooth, weighted objects (such as large stones). Alternately, binder clips can attach the cover to the PVC pipes. Do not use pins to secure the cover to the ground, as they will result in holes. Tears and holes in your cover will cause heat loss and decrease the life of your garden cover.
Please click NEXT at the bottom of this page to advance through the module. To return to the list of modules, PC users click “Modules” in the top left corner, App users click the back arrow in the top left header.
