Crop Protection Archives

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Plastic Tunnels for Growing Vegetables

in Season Extension

Cold Frame Calendar

by Stephen Albert

A cold frame is a bottomless box with a clear or translucent top. It is set on the ground or over a planting bed to capture solar energy and heat the air, soil, and plants inside. A cold frame can extend the growing season by one to several months. A cold frame can keep plants […] More
in Tips

Shade Cloth Hoop Tunnels Protect Vegetables

by Stephen Albert

A hoop tunnel can create instant shade to protect leafy greens and other cool-season vegetables from the intense summer sun. Cover half hoops made of PVC pipe, stiff wire, or construction- or chicken wire with shade cloth or light horticultural cloth to keep leafy crops from sun-burning. Good Products for Season Extension at Amazon: For […] More
in Gardening Tips

Mulch: Hot Weather Vegetable Garden Protection

by Stephen Albert

Mulch reduces evaporation from the soil surface, moderates soil temperature, and insulates roots from summer heat (and winter cold). Mulch suppresses weeds, reduces soil compaction, prevents erosion, and adds organic matter to the soil. Mulch is any material that protects the soil surface and allows air and water through. Organic mulches–mulches derived from plant materials–not […] More
in Dry Gardening, Gardening Tips

Shade: Hot Weather Vegetable Garden Protection

by Stephen Albert

Vegetable crops should be protected from temperatures much greater than 95°F (35°C). Most vegetables will be stressed when temperatures rise to 100°F and many will die in sustained temperatures greater than 110°F. Signs of heat stress in vegetables include wilting at the ends of new growth, blossom drop, leaf drop, and sunburn of leaves and […] More
in Season Extension

Vegetable Seedling Protection

by Stephen Albert

Protect vegetable seedlings planted in the garden from cool and cold nighttime temperatures. Protect warm-season seedlings such as tomatoes and peppers from temperatures below 55°F. Protect cool-season seedlings such as lettuce and cabbage from temperatures below 45°F. Cages and tunnels covered with plastic are quick ways to protect crops and extend the warmth needed for […] More
in In The Garden, Season Extension

Extending the Season: how to get more time out of your garden

by Stephen Albert

There are proven ways to extend the growing season. Season extension is the garden term for growing crops outside of the natural growing time Mother Nature gives each year. Days and nights with frost or freezing temperatures are not part of the natural growing season. But very cold weather does not mean you can’t keep […] More