The advantage of using row covers is they are so simple to use and move. Row covers are also require a much lower investment than cold frames or greenhouses. Low covers made of woven fabric or plastic can be moved or erected to cover specific crops as needed. These covers are made of lightweight, translucent materials and therefore are susceptable to sudden swings in temperature brought on by changes in the amount of available sunshine. There are self-ventalating types using slits, holes, or spun-bonded materials to allow hot air to escape.
Season Extension Resource Pages
We can't control the weather but we can create microclimates for our crops which we can control. Through the use of greenhouses, cold frames, and row covers we can offer our crops protection from the elements and use the sun's energy to extend the growing season. Some growers will use heat sources to extend the growing season even further. The practice of using fossil fuels to heat greenhouses is often debated in the communities of organic and sustainable agriculture.
Click on the title to view compiled lists of articles, forum discussions, kits, plans, tools, and books to help you locate everything you need to extend your own growing season.
Here are the latest additions to this category.
Row Cover Resource Page
Submitted by Gregg Banse on August 23, 2005 - 2:45pm.
Season Extension Resource Pages
Cold Frame Resource Page
Submitted by Gregg Banse on August 23, 2005 - 2:37pm.
Season Extension Resource Pages
Cold frames are a very simple version of a greenhouse. The simplicity of a cold frame makes them very appealing to gardeners and small farmers.
Greenhouse Resource Page
Submitted by Gregg Banse on August 23, 2005 - 2:03pm.
Season Extension Resource Pages
Greenhouses come in two general types:
- Solar greenhouses - those that rely on the sun to provide heat and light
- Artificially controlled greenhouses - those that use artificial heat and light sources within the greenhouse
In both cases, we control the climate within the greenhouse. The difference is in the methods used and the energy consumed to complete the task. On this page we offer you both types and leave it to you to decide which works best for your needs. But do keep in mind that the simpler methods often work best for smaller operations.
