Hi Lindsay -- when you say "does this work for a short growing season," do you mean the part about burying the stem? Definitely yes -- as Daisy said, the plants will be much more vigorous.
The best thing I ever started doing for my tomato plants was to protect them with plastic coverings when I put them out. Initially I was using cages made of wire fencing, which I covered with large translucent plastic bags (with openings cut in the top for ventilation). Later we made some big wooden cages, which I wrap clear plastic around (leaving the top open), making kind of a mini greenhouse. This not only warms things up a LOT more quickly during the day (even when the nights are chilly), but offers a lot of protection from the wind -- which I think is as valuable as the warmth. There have been years when I've left the plastic on until August, pretty much until we started getting ripe tomatoes, without harming the plants in any way.
Last summer stayed really cool where I am, it was a difficult gardening year for sure -- I hope this summer will be better!
