• Post Reply Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic
permaculture forums growies critters building homesteading energy monies kitchen purity ungarbage community wilderness fiber arts art permaculture artisans regional education skip experiences global resources cider press projects digital market permies.com pie forums private forums all forums
this forum made possible by our volunteer staff, including ...
master stewards:
  • Carla Burke
  • John F Dean
  • Timothy Norton
  • Nancy Reading
  • r ranson
  • Jay Angler
  • Pearl Sutton
stewards:
  • paul wheaton
  • Tereza Okava
  • AndrĂ©s Bernal
master gardeners:
  • Christopher Weeks
gardeners:
  • Jeremy VanGelder
  • M Ljin
  • Matt McSpadden

How much would a low tunnel extend my season on the front end and should I start my seeds sooner ?

 
Posts: 12
2
  • Likes 2
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
I know that seeds are usually started around 6 weeks before the last frost ( if indeed you are starting them indoors ).  I was looking at the average frost times in my area fronttimes and it looks like June 1 is the last frost, which means that I would get my seeds started around the second week in April or so. I'm planning on using plastic mulch for the first year, just to get a head start since I'm going from grasses, and I don't want to till. I'm also planning on building low tunnels over the beds. I'm wondering, with dark plastic mulch, and 6 mil low tunnels, how long am I looking at extending my season by? does that mean I should start my seeds earlier?
 
pollinator
Posts: 888
Location: 6a
284
hugelkultur dog forest garden trees cooking woodworking
  • Likes 2
  • Mark post as helpful
  • send pies
    Number of slices to send:
    Optional 'thank-you' note:
  • Quote
  • Report post to moderator
They say a hoop house gets you a zone and if you have a cold frame inside a hoop house you get two zones.  I think it's Elliot Coleman who says you get a zone for every layer of coverage.   You can also winter plant seeds in a container, something like a milk jug or a pop bottle.

 


 
I agree. Here's the link: http://stoves2.com
reply
    Bookmark Topic Watch Topic
  • New Topic