Growing under a tent

[Cassandra]

I don't know what it is called when you build a little clear plastic tent over your vegetable beds so you can grow them in cooler weather.

Does that make them taste bad like hot-house veggies sometimes do?

I have never done it. Just thought about it. And weighed the pros and cons of having some not-quite-as-great-tasting vegetables later in the season vs. not having any at all.

Cassandra

 

[DrakeMaiden]

I think they are called hoop houses, if they are tall, or just tunnels if they are short.

I'm not sure what you mean about hot-house produce. Do you mean commercially available or home-grown. I don't notice that greenhouse veggies taste any different than outdoor ones . . . .

 

[Cassandra]

I think they are called hoop houses, if they are tall, or just tunnels if they are short.

I'm not sure what you mean about hot-house produce. Do you mean commercially available or home-grown. I don't notice that greenhouse veggies taste any different than outdoor ones . . . .

I guess I mean commercially grown. I don't know of any people who have their own personal greenhouses, so I didn't realize they would be different from commercial greenhouse food. And honestly, the only thing that I know of I have had from a greenhouse that doesn't taste as good is tomatoes. Most of the other produce I have to buy--I have no idea where it comes from. (Other than the country of origin sticker.)

But there is one local man who has a famous tomato farm and in the winter, he advertises his "hothouse" tomatoes. They are not as good as regular season tomatoes (nowhere close to home grown.) But they are, I admit, better than the other tomatoes you can buy off the shelf in the winter time.

Cassandra

 

[DrakeMaiden]

Ok, we are on the same page then. I think it's because commercial varieties of veggies tend to be flavorless. If you put an heirloom tomato in a hothouse, it'll taste like an heirloom tomato (in my book anyway).

So I wouldn't worry about flavor. I think anything you grow will be much better than what you'll find in the store.

Have fun extending your season. I think you'll find it rewarding!

 

[bills]

I think you mean a cold frame of sorts. This can definitely help extend the growing season in fall, as well as help the plants get going earlier in the spring. I had butter lettuce growing under the one pictured, all winter. We even had some snow! Mine is a simple A frame set up, but you could do much better. I like the fact that mine are a portable size. I have a few of them, so I can set them end to end for a longer row.

No taste difference when using these, that I ever noticed.

A lot of the commercially grown hothouse items are refrigerated after harvesting. Tomato's are often picked while still fairly green to allow time for transport. Neither lends to their flavor..

 

[Seahound]

Nice picture!

 

[Cassandra]

Very nice! Thanks for all the info.

Cassandra