Not everyone is fortunate enough to live in a climate where greenhouses and season extenders are unnecessary because food can be grown and harvested year-round.
In northern regions, winter’s chill often brings planting and harvesting to a halt.
However, a family’s need for fresh, nutritious food doesn’t pause just because the garden is covered in snow.
Instead of packing away your garden tools for the season, why not explore ways to extend your growing period?
Greenhouses and season extenders make it possible to grow fresh produce well beyond traditional gardening timelines.
These solutions don’t just add weeks to the spring and fall growing seasons—in many climates, they allow for growing cool-season crops even during the depths of winter.
They also offer a layer of protection against severe weather and pests, giving you healthier and more productive plants.
Whether you’re considering a sturdy greenhouse or a simple row cover, these tools are surprisingly easy to use.
The Benefits of Greenhouses and Season Extenders
Greenhouses and season extenders offer more than just an extended harvest.
They give gardeners greater control over their growing environment.
By regulating temperature, humidity, and light exposure, these tools can transform your backyard into a thriving oasis, no matter the season.
Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, they provide an opportunity to grow your skills—and your food supply.
Another advantage is the ability to start seeds earlier in the spring.
A greenhouse or cold frame creates a warm, protected space where seedlings can thrive before being transplanted outdoors.
This head start not only extends the growing season but also boosts yields, as plants have more time to mature.
By fall, these same tools can help you extend your harvest, keeping leafy greens and root vegetables fresh and delicious for weeks longer than usual.
Types of Season Extenders
There are many different types of greenhouses and season extenders to suit every budget and gardening goal.
Here are a few options to consider:
- Greenhouses: From small, portable models to large, permanent structures, greenhouses offer a controlled environment for year-round growing. They’re ideal for growing warm-season crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers during the winter months.
- Cold Frames: Essentially mini-greenhouses, cold frames are perfect for starting seeds early or protecting cool-weather crops from frost. They’re affordable and easy to build, making them a popular choice for home gardeners.
- Row Covers: Lightweight and easy to use, row covers protect plants from frost, wind, and pests. They’re a great option for extending the season in the spring and fall.
- Garden Tunnels: Similar to row covers, garden tunnels create a protective barrier around plants while trapping heat to encourage faster growth. They’re especially useful for leafy greens and other quick-growing crops.
- Hoop Houses: Larger than garden tunnels, hoop houses are versatile structures that can be used for everything from frost protection to full-season growing. They’re a great middle ground between row covers and greenhouses.
Backyard Greenhouses: A 12-Month Growing Solution
Imagine harvesting fresh, organic produce every month of the year without relying on store-bought food.
With a backyard greenhouse, this dream can become a reality.
The Early Bloomer Greenhouse is a fantastic example of a functional, durable, and affordable greenhouse kit designed for year-round gardening.
Measuring 8 feet by 8 feet, this compact structure provides ample space to grow everything from heirloom tomatoes to crisp salad greens, even in a small yard.
This greenhouse features Solexx™ brand corrugated plastic covering, which diffuses sunlight to prevent leaf burn while creating an ideal growing environment.
The material also boasts excellent insulation, making it perfect for winter gardening.
With its strong base and sturdy construction, the Early Bloomer Greenhouse can withstand powerful winds, yet it remains light enough to move for optimal sun exposure or to position directly over your existing garden bed.
The greenhouse includes a generous 19-inch by 30-inch vent assembly to maintain proper air circulation, which is critical for healthy plant growth.
For added convenience, a solar-powered automatic vent opener is available as an upgrade.
Inside, two full-length hanging rods can support up to 200 pounds each, offering a convenient way to overwinter hanging plants or start seedlings for the upcoming growing season.
Garden Tunnel Kits: Extend Your Growing Season
For gardeners looking for a more flexible and portable solution, garden tunnel kits are an excellent option.
These tunnels can help you plant up to 10 days earlier in the spring and extend your growing season well into late fall or early winter.
By warming the soil, garden tunnels enable plants to mature faster, often yielding harvests up to two weeks earlier than usual.
The extra heat also helps protect crops from frost and pests, while extending the harvest season as temperatures drop.
At the Harris Seeds test garden in western New York, lettuce grown under garden tunnels continued thriving into December—even after a foot of snow blanketed the area!
Setting up a tunnel is straightforward: place support wires every 5 feet and stretch the covering over the structure. Secure the edges with soil to keep the covering in place, even in windy conditions.
Replacement coverings are available in convenient 100-foot rolls, ensuring your setup lasts for years to come.
Tips for Success
To get the most out of your greenhouse or season extender, it’s important to choose the right one for your needs.
Consider your climate, the crops you want to grow, and the amount of space you have available.
Proper ventilation is key to preventing overheating and ensuring healthy plants, so look for models with adjustable vents or consider adding a solar-powered vent opener.
If you’re using row covers or garden tunnels, pay attention to the weather and be prepared to adjust them as needed.
For example, you may need to remove covers on sunny days to prevent plants from getting too hot.
And don’t forget to secure the edges of your covers with soil or stakes to keep them in place during windy weather.
The Bottom Line
Greenhouses and season extenders are a game-changer for anyone who wants to grow their own food year-round.
They provide an affordable, effective way to increase your harvest, protect your plants, and enjoy fresh produce even in the off-season.
Whether you invest in a backyard greenhouse or experiment with simple row covers, these tools can help you take your gardening to the next level.
Why wait for spring when you can start growing today?
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