5 Tips for Extending the Growing Season

As the days get shorter and the temperatures drop, we are thinking about how to extend the growing season. Depending on your zone, much of the growth out in the garden starts to wrap up by the final frost, but with a few clever strategies, you can keep your garden thriving well into the cooler months!

Here are our top five tips for extending your growing season:

1. Use Row Covers
   Row covers are a fantastic way to protect your plants from frost and extend the growing season. These lightweight fabrics create a mini greenhouse effect, trapping heat and shielding your plants from cold winds. Simply drape the covers over your plants and secure them at the edges. You can simply use these over existing plants, or plant some cold hardy things like spinach now for a late fall harvest.

2. Install Cold Frames
   Cold frames are like mini greenhouses that can provide a warm, sheltered environment for your plants. You can build or buy a cold frame and place it over your garden beds to keep your crops growing even in chilly weather. It's perfect for protecting tender plants and starting seeds.

3. Grow Hardy Varieties
   Choose vegetable and herb varieties that are known for their cold tolerance. Greens like kale, spinach, and arugula, as well as root vegetables such as carrots and beets, can handle cooler temperatures and continue to produce even after the first frost.

4. Add a Greenhouse or Hoop House
   If you’re serious about extending your growing season, investing in a greenhouse or hoop house can make a big difference. These structures allow you to control the growing environment and keep plants warm, enabling you to grow year-round.

5. Mulch for Insulation
   Applying a thick layer of mulch around your plants helps to insulate the soil and keep it warmer. Mulch also helps retain moisture and prevent weeds, creating a more stable environment for your plants to continue growing.

Other Things you Might Like:

• A Cold Frame Greenhouse: What you Need to Know to Extend Your Growing Season

• What are the Climate Zones? Understanding Climate for your Garden and Backyard Farm

Happy Homesteading,

Gretchen