In agriculture, season extension refers to anything that allows a crop to be cultivated beyond its normal outdoor growing season. On this page, find an excellent list of resources for season extension and high tunnels, including the Grower Resource List and Web Resources: Season Extension developed by Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent, Debbie Roos.

On This Page

:Guides & Toolkits

• Edible Ginger, Grown Locally: Susan Anderson of East Branch Ginger provides basic information on organic ginger production in North Carolina, from the arrival of the seed pieces to cultural practices.
• High Tunnel Budgets: This presentation prepared by Gary Bullen of NC State’s Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics gives a detailed estimated budget for the construction of high tunnels, focusing on their potential use in tomato production, and taking into consideration ongoing costs such as labor, heater fuel, etc.
• Planting and Harvesting Guide for Piedmont Vegetables and Herbs: This is a planting and harvesting guide created by Doug Jones, Farm Manager of CCCC's Sustainable Farming Program in Pittsboro, and Debbie Roos, Chatham County Agricultural Extension Agent. 
• Season Extension: Introduction and Basic Principles. This webpage, created by Doug Jones and Debbie Roos, Jones, is home to a varied list of season extension information including basic definitions, thermodynamics, cultural practices, row covers, high tunnels and more.
• High Tunnels and Other Season Extension Techniques: This document, from Vern Grubinger and SARE, provides information for producers and educators interested in generating more income by extending the growing season. 
• Grower Resource List: Equipment and Supplies: This document is a partial list of resources for growers and does not imply endorsement by North Carolina State University, North Carolina A&T State University, or North Carolina Cooperative Extension of any of the companies, products, or organizations listed.
• Equipment and Supply Resource List: This document is a partial list of resources for growers and does not imply endorsement by NC State University, NC A&T State University, or N.C. Cooperative Extension of any of the companies, products, or organizations listed.

:Programs

• ATTRA: A program of the National Center for Appropriate Technology. They have several multimedia resources on season extension, high tunnels and more.
• eXtension Foundation: A member-based nonprofit that works to help Cooperative Extension generate a more visible, measurable, local impact. Find resources regarding season extension or high tunnel by entering these terms in the search bar.
• Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education (SARE): An organization that offers farmer-driven, grassroots grants and education programs. Find resources regarding season extension or high tunnel by entering these terms in the search bar.

:Publications

• Introduction to Season Extension in Organic Production Systems. Pool, Kristin. 2010. eOrganic – eXtension.
• Season Extension Techniques for Market Gardeners. Bachmann, Janet. 2005. ATTRA Publication #IP035.
• Fertilizing Crops in High Tunnels. Baldwin, Keith. 2010. 
• High Tunnels: Using low-cost technology to increase yields, improve quality and extend the season. Blomgren, T. and Frisch, T.  University of Vermont Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
• The Winter Harvest Handbook: Year-Round Vegetable Production Using Deep-Organic Techniques and Unheated Greenhouse. Coleman, Eliot. (2009).
• The New Organic Grower: A Master’s Manual of Tools and Techniques for the Home and Market Gardeners. Eliot Coleman and Sheri Amsel. (1989).
• Organic Heirloom Tomato Production in High Tunnel and Open Field Systems. O'Connell, S. and Peet, MM. 2013. Southern SARE Ag Innovations.
• High Tunnel Structures: The Basics, Penn State Extension
• Sustainable Season Extension: Considerations for Design. Ryan, Dave. 2011. ATTRA Publication #IP416.
• Extending the Gardening Season. Peronto, Marjorie and  Theresa Guethler. 2008. University of Maine. Bulletin #2752.