One of the downsides of gardening in Flagstaff is the short growing season. According to the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension, the typical growing season for summer crops lasts only 103 days. On average, our last spring frost date is June 9, and our first fall frost occurs on September 24. Of course, those dates vary. Our summer vegetables may last a bit longer, depending on which neighborhood we live in and whether or not we use water jugs and sheets to protect them from the cold for a few extra days.

But the sheet method can be a hassle. Gardeners rush out at dusk to cover plants and then remove the coverings the next morning. After enough seasons of last-minute scrambling, patience wears thin and frustration grows. Gardeners begin to ask: isn’t there a better way? Copy arti

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