Chloe Zhang
Gardening is a beloved hobby for many, but it can be frustrating when the growing season ends. Luckily, there are ways to extend the growing season by using plastic. Plastic allows sunlight to pass through while creating a greenhouse effect, trapping heat and protecting plants from wind and frost. This simple method can be used in various ways, from plastic tents to row covers, and can help gardeners grow bigger and better flowers and vegetables. In this article, we will explore the different techniques and benefits of using plastic to extend the growing season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic use | Plastic allows sunlight to pass through and can be used to cover plants or build cold frames, row covers, grow tunnels, or greenhouses. |
| Cold frames | Can be purchased or made by covering a wooden frame with plastic or glass. They retain heat, protect plants from wind, and extend the growing season by a few weeks. |
| Row covers | Protect plants from cold weather and can be used to extend the growing season. |
| Grow tunnels/hoop houses | Larger, greenhouse-like structures that create a microclimate and provide extra protection. |
| Greenhouses | Can be heated or unheated and extend the growing season by up to 4-8 weeks. |
| Soil-warming mulches | Help to warm the soil and can be used with protective covers to extend the growing season. |
| Plant location | Plants should be located in areas with maximum sunlight exposure, especially during colder months. |
| Wind protection | Windbreaks, fences, or netting can be used to protect plants from wind damage and energy loss. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Cold frames
A cold frame is a simple structure that can be used to extend the growing season by several weeks or even months. It is not "walk-in" like a greenhouse, and its sides are solid, which makes it easier to build. Cold frames retain heat and protect plants from wind and frost, creating a warm microclimate in a chilly garden. They are particularly useful for cool-season crops such as lettuce, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, radishes, and scallions, as well as for hardening off heat-loving seedlings such as tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and melons.
To build a simple cold frame, you will need a few basic tools and materials: a hammer, a drill, a saw, nails or wood screws, a sheet of plywood, and three 8-foot lengths of 2 x 2 wood. Cut the plywood into four 2 x 4-foot pieces, and cut the 2 x 2 wood into four 2-foot pieces and four 4-foot pieces. Assemble the pieces to form an open box, with the edges of the sidewall pieces flush with the front and back pieces. The box should be slightly wider than deep, with the back wall slightly higher than the front wall to maximize sun exposure.
The top of the cold frame can be made from a clear sheet of glass or plastic. A double layer of plastic sheeting will keep the interior 10 to 20 degrees warmer than the outside temperature. Insulate the frame with sheet plastic or thick rigid urethane in the winter, and replace the lid with a lath in the summer. You can also add a row cover inside the frame to increase humidity and protection. The frame should be placed on level, well-drained soil, facing south, southeast, or southwest to maximize sun exposure.
Bottom Brackets: Plastic's Role and Relevance
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Greenhouses
To get similar results without the cost of a full-sized greenhouse, you can opt for mini-greenhouses or "cold frames". These are smaller structures that can be easily moved and provide a controlled environment for your plants. You can purchase premade cold frames constructed from timber and plastic, or you can create your own by covering a wooden frame with a solid sheet of plastic or glass. Ensure that your cold frame has a hinge or sliding lid for ventilation to prevent your plants from overheating. Building a simple cold frame is easy and only requires basic tools like a hammer, drill, saw, and nails or wood screws.
For those who don't have the space or desire for a full-sized greenhouse, there are other creative DIY options. One innovative method involves using a wheelbarrow with holes drilled in the bottom, which can then be covered in plastic overnight. This mini "greenhouse" can be wheeled into a warmer area during cold nights, providing a mobile and flexible growing environment. Another option is to build medium hoop houses using homemade tomato cages and thick-gauge roll plastic.
Whether you choose a full-sized greenhouse or opt for smaller alternatives like cold frames or DIY enclosures, these structures can significantly extend your growing season and provide a more controlled climate for your plants.
Black Plastic Gardening: Water Conservation Method
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Row covers
In the spring, when transplants are small, row covers can be draped over plants without a frame, but they should be weighed down with bricks, stones, or garden staples to prevent them from blowing away. Row covers can also be used to create a "tunnel" or "hoop house" for plants, which provides a microclimate that extends the growing season by several weeks.
Plastic Screen Protectors: Thickness and Its Benefits
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Soil-warming mulches
Plastic mulches are materials applied to the surface of the soil to modify the radiation budget and decrease soil water loss. They are also used to regulate soil temperature, water use efficiency, plant growth, yield, quality, and weed and insect infestation.
Plastic mulches are available in many colours, including black, clear, silver reflective, and white. The black plastic mulch is widely used in spring and late fall to warm up the soil and is usually the least expensive. The black plastic absorbs the energy from the sunlight and heats up, and then the heat is transferred to the soil. The clear plastic mulch is reported as highly effective in repelling pests.
When using plastic mulch, it is important to install it as soon as the snow has melted. The soil should be slightly dry as wet soil tends to compact easily, making it harder for plant roots to grow and take up water and nutrients. After removing the plastic mulch in the fall, put a thin layer of compost on top of the soil to protect and nourish it.
Plastic mulches can be used to extend the growing season by providing a warmer climate for plants. They can be used to grow flowers and vegetables, with high-value crops such as tomatoes, peppers, melons, squash, and cucumbers benefiting from this method.
Coffee Storage: Roasters' Guide to Plastic Bins
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Plastic tents
The use of plastics to extend the growing season has been around for a while. During World War II, cockpits of airplanes were protected by plastic “greenhouses”. Plastic tents allow much of the sun's rays to pass through and are great for seed starting and cutting propagation. They can also be used to cover small plants and entire rows of plants.
When using plastic tents, it is important to consider the location of your garden. Late summer or fall crops should be planted in a spot with southern exposure to maximize the amount of sunlight they receive each day. A house wall can also provide protection from the wind and absorb warmth from the sun, reflecting it back onto the plants.
To build a plastic tent, you can construct a frame from wood, bamboo, or PVC pipes and fasten the plastic to the edges to enclose the interior space. For a temporary structure, 8-mil plastic is a good option, while corrugated plastic is great for a permanent tent. It is best to close the tent a few hours before sunset to allow the tent to build up heat and keep it warm overnight. Be sure to provide ventilation in hot weather to prevent your plants from "cooking".
Waterproofing Made Easy: Installing Plastic Rolls
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Using a row cover, grow tunnel, or DIY cold frame can protect your veggies from cold weather and extend the growing season.
A cold frame is a shallow, unheated box with a transparent cover. It uses the warmth of the sun to heat up the growing environment during the day and protects plants from the cold at night.
Covering cold spring soil with black plastic can boost soil temperature by several degrees. The plastic can be left on all season or removed prior to planting. You can also use empty milk jugs as tiny greenhouses to start seeds for transplants outdoors.
Plastic allows much of the sun's rays to pass through, helping to improve the climate for your plants. Using plastic can also be a less expensive alternative to building a large, walk-in, heated greenhouse.
Cool-season crops such as lettuce, kale, cabbage, cauliflower, and broccoli perform well when grown in cold frames during cool months.
