One way to extend the growing season is with a greenhouse or at least some way to protect the garden from seasonal changes. Here’s one of my favorites. In the fall a small covering over a raised bed can help crops continue to produce. In the spring time, a cover can help you get a jump on the growing season.
Here are a few we’ve featured in the past:
Learn how you can make a covered mini greenhouse garden from the blog by Swing N Cocoa.
This post is a step by step tutorial with a lot of pictures to guide you through the process. There is also a lot of comments also so make sure you take a look at them so you can see any questions people bring up. The full project via swingncocoa
Below you’ll find several videos on how some “backyard farmers” set up a small greenhouse garden over their raised garden beds. One uses concrete blocks to build their raised bed while the other uses wood sides.
At Growing A Greener World® they share 3 Key Benefits of Gardening in Raised Beds
Important considerations when making your raised beds
1. Options to Contain the Soil: The choices when constructing raised beds are many and range from large stones or bricks you can find for free, to custom-built beds with metal sides and everything in between. The key is to find what works best for you, your budget, and you’re happy with how it looks. While raised beds don’t have to be permanent, when built right, they can remain in place for years to come.
2. Beds that meet the needs of you and your plants. When building beds or mounding up soil, it needs to be wide enough for roots to spread out and plants to grow, but not too wide that you can’t reach in to the center of the bed from one side. The rule of thumb is never make it so wide that you need to step into the bed and on the soil to reach any part of the plant. My rule of thumb is no bed wider than 4 feet.
3. Design the soil for structure and drainage. When considering what soil to put into your raised beds, whether you’re starting from scratch or amending an existing bed, Ideally, it’s best to incorporate plenty of organic material such as well-aged manure and compost, and even store bought soil amendments.
The key to great soil, especially with soil in raised beds is to add lots of organic matter to improve drainage, moisture retention, and soil structure. Starting with native soil and a healthy addition of quality top soil, we use compost, worm castings, and composted leaves. Via growingagreenerworld.com
A small garden space growing in raised garden beds like the ones in the video make a perfect addition to those interested in a backyard garden.
“Greenhouses” do not need always be a structure you walk into. These small greenhouses allow for extra protection from weather. To access the beds, you simply roll up the sides.
These are some good examples on ways to garden in small spaces with =out the expense of a big greenhouse.
A Hoop House That Glides Open And Closed
A greenhouse is on many gardeners “wanted” list. Vern Harris likes setting up hoop houses over his vegetable beds, but doesn’t like the hassle of working under them.
Most designs require lifting the plastic sides to get at the produce. So, Harris came up with hoops that glide on rails, making access as easy as pulling on two ropes. Check out Vern’s hoop house solution – Hoop House – Glides Open And Closed.
Row Cover Hoop House
Leafy spring and fall crops such as lettuce, spinach,and kale are okay in frost when it is around 20 degrees but under than they don’t do well.
A Row-Cover Hoop House is great for protecting these leafs. These are simple to make and you only need a handful of simple cheap materials. This is a great way to protect your precious crops. Details at: Make A Row-Cover Hoop House.
Low Tunnels
Have you ever heard of “low tunnels” for extending your growing season or getting a jump on the upcoming one?
In this video you’ll learn some of the principles of frost protection along with how to build a low tunnel… a simple structure to start your plants early, or grow through the winter.
Using PVC pipe, a floating row cover, and row cover snap clamps. Learn the difference between frost and freeze and how Christmas lights, water bottles and mulch can help your plants survive in the cold.
Details at: Frost protection with low tunnel floating row cover.