New World Survival · Community Garden Field Manual

Season Extension Workbook

Plan, calibrate and operate row covers, low tunnels and cold frames as monitored systems. Record temperature, moisture, pollination, weather damage and the actual value of the extra season gained.

Do not use a generic frost-protection number. Record the actual cover specification and the temperatures measured inside your system.

1. Plot, crop and objective

Garden / plot

Crop / variety

Objective

Target start/end date

2. Local season reference

Extension planting source

Crop hardiness notes

First/last frost reference

Known local wind/snow issue

3. Cover-material record

Material	Purpose	Breathable?	Water-permeable?	Manufacturer / Extension specification
	☐ cold ☐ pest ☐ wind ☐ heat ☐ other
	☐ cold ☐ pest ☐ wind ☐ heat ☐ other
	☐ cold ☐ pest ☐ wind ☐ heat ☐ other

4. Structure and garden-rule check

☐ Height/material permitted

☐ Seasonal/permanent rule checked

☐ Raised-bed attachment rule checked

☐ Digging/anchor requirement checked

☐ Path/access impact checked

☐ Cold frame approval obtained if required

5. System map

Draw bed, cover, access edge, anchors, thermometer location, irrigation entry, neighboring plots and paths.

6. Pollination review

Does this crop require insect pollination?
☐ yes ☐ no ☐ variety dependent ☐ unknown

Flowering expected

Cover opening/removal plan

Parthenocarpic variety confirmed?
☐ yes ☐ no ☐ not applicable

7. Pest-exclusion precheck

☐ Plants inspected before sealing

☐ Soil/crop checked for existing pest issue

☐ Edges can be secured for the exclusion goal

☐ Scouting access is planned

☐ Tear/repair materials are available

8. Installation and anchoring record

Date	Component	Securing method	Approval/guidance	Issue

9. Three-day calibration

Date / time	Outdoor temp	Inside temp	Weather	Vent/open?	Crop observation

10. Minimum / maximum temperature record

Date	Outside min	Inside min	Outside max	Inside max	Decision

11. Ventilation plan

Primary person

Backup person

When to check

How system vents/opens

12. Moisture and irrigation log

Date	Root-zone moisture	Rain reached crop?	Irrigation added?	Condensation / wet foliage

13. Daily operating check

☐ Forecast reviewed

☐ Inside temperature checked

☐ Root-zone moisture checked as needed

☐ Cover/anchors intact

☐ Pollination status checked

☐ Pests/scouting checked

☐ Ventilation responsibility confirmed

☐ Path and access remain clear

14. Weather-event inspection

Date/event	Anchors	Cover/frame	Snow/water load	Crop contact/damage	Action

15. Pollination transition record

Date	Flowering stage	Cover action	Pollinator access restored?	Notes

16. Failure diagnosis

Symptom	Likely system cause	Immediate action	Next design change

17. End-of-use removal / storage

☐ Cover removed when no longer beneficial

☐ Crop/pest residue handled appropriately

☐ Fabric/plastic inspected and cleaned as appropriate

☐ Damaged material retired or marked

☐ Hoops/frame inspected

☐ Stored location recorded

☐ Permanent cold frame approved to remain

18. Value review

Days/weeks actually gained

Crop quality / survival result

Labor burden

Use this system again?
☐ yes ☐ modify ☐ no

19. Capability check

☐ I can state the cover's job.

☐ I know the material's air/water/heat behavior.

☐ I know the crop's local hardiness/season limit.

☐ I measure conditions inside the cover.

☐ I have a ventilation owner and backup.

☐ I know when pollination changes the cover plan.

☐ I check root-zone moisture directly.

☐ I inspect after wind/snow/heavy weather.

☐ I know stop conditions.

☐ I can judge whether the extra season justified the work.

20. Handoff note

What system remains, how it is opened/secured, who checks it, what crop is inside, and what weather condition should trigger the next action?