Excellent reading thanks! I like his door construction. My only thought with a walk in like he did is possible zoning issues with the township.

Just in time for me--I've got to put my house back together and I never did get a decent door last year, so this helps a LOT--thanks for the link

24.6 F this morning, first hard freeze this fall, PA Zone 5B, Under the low hoop house tunnel it is 28.9 F. Spinach has frosty leaves and mesclun we planted a few weeks back is coming up.

(Information from another post added to this thread for additional information in the future)

That "door garden" site was interesting!

Paul, I've heard some other people say that they found soil temps critical for plant growth in a similar situation to yours. Glad to hear it was a little warmer in than out a couple weeks ago! I'll be interested to hear how that continues now that you've got cooler weather on the way.

Paul--Do you still have row cover or have you added plastic yet? I've only lost a few tender annual flowers--of course the tomatoes are gone but I've got a few peppers still growing under plastic but our lowest temps have been in the upper 30's (36 today and I THINK that's our low for the fall so far). I've got row cover coming but had to order--even the farm/co-op stores locally don't carry it. ("What do you use it for?" is the usual replay) Hoops etc. are about ready so anxious to put them to bed and get on with other stuff.

Wiley - Probably right after Thanksgiving in these parts for the plastic. Plastic too soon and they plants will over heat. I'm going to use 6 mil from Lowes/HD. I used rocks to hold down the Agribon and this AM everything was frozen together at dawn and I couldn't move the Agribon to peek inside. I'm going to place the rocks into plastic grocery bags today to keep them moveable.

Since I'm still waiting on my Agribon, I've laid my Lowe's 6 mil loosely over the tops of my more tender plants and it's doing pretty well (until the wind gets under it). I'm probably not going to need plastic until Christmas or after, but I do want to be ready--some of my greens and a bit of my lettuce (and 4 leaves of my last remaining summer squash)got lightly bit this morning, but it's supposed to be lows in the mid 40's and highs in the mid 70's for the next 4 days so should be no further damage until I can get them covered.

I don't think you want to peak too soon in the morning. It would be bad to have protected all night to let in the cold air in the early morning. If things are frozen together, it is pretty cold out. I think you would be better off waiting for a bit later in the day?

But I will admit, I don't have a lot of experience with these. mk

Yep to keep from damaging the agribon it's best to wait until thaw out, but the spinach doesn't mind the cold!

Wiley, if you don't have a copy of Elliott Colemans book "The Winter Harvest Handbook" I highly recommended it. Goes into great detail why this works. Best thing I like about the books, is that it was printed in the US!

I'm working my way through Barbara Damrosh's Garden Primer atm, and Coleman's book (either the Winter Harvest or Four Season Harvest) is next on my list after payday. Any suggestions which one?

I only have "The Winter Harvest Handbook" so I can't make a suggestion. It's a very detailed book and does go into summer production. I'll pick up a copy of the 4 season harvest next.

WileyR, I would suggest the Four Season Harvest first; the Handbook is more geared to market gardening. Both are great!

Peace

Gail

Gail,

Good point! He really suggests succession crops and timing for maximum production. He doesn't seem to be holding any trade secrets back.

Just peeked under the cover, the Mesclun is coming along nicely and the spinach starting to leaf out.

I have one short row of beets that ended up under one tunnel, gonna let them go and see how they do too.

Thanks Gail--I've read good reviews on both--one reason I haven't ordered yet. I'm not into market gardening (yet anyway) so I've got a better reason to go with the 4 seasons. I knew the Winter Harvest book was new so thought it might be a reworked 4 Season.

I've been using the hoop benders and row covers here in north Tx for years, This last year Eliots books have helped me vastly improve our small family garden, producing an un-ending supply of vegtables. Johnnys new hoop benders are a result of teaming up with a small business right here in the great state of Texas, Go Texas. Their name is Lost Creek Greenhouses.