A visit to the Post Office brought the last (for now) of my seed orders for this year. I picked up some Daikon radish, generic green onions and White Swan Coneflower seeds. The radishes will get 14″ long according to the package. I am planning to put a few in my cold frame this fall along with some green onions. The Echinacea I will winter sow and hope for some flowers next year or the year after that.
For the last 3 years I have been threatening to build a cold frame. This year it is happening. I wanted to put it up against the south side of the house but I am not sure it will get any sun there in the winter. I am opting for the edge of the garden area this year. I’ll keep an eye on the preferred spot and if it gets enough light I’ll move it there next year.
I’ve been reading several books on growing edibles year round and have quite a store of seed and hope built up. My plan is to make 4’x8′ frame out of 2″x12″ lumber. The ‘lights’ will be a frame of 2″x2″ boards covered with 6mil plastic. I like the idea of the triple wall polycarbonate but it is a little rich for my budget this year. Accoring to what I have been reading I should be able to get at least an extra zone out of my cold frame. That will take me into zone 7 at least. I purchased one of those auto lift devices to keep the veggies from cooking and keep me from having to be on top of it in the spring and fall. I am hoping to grow some lettuce in the fall and spring, radishes, spinach, mache, broccoli raab, green onions, and some other salad greens type of stuff. I started some garden sorrel in 4″ pots this year. I will probably pot them up to 6″ pots and bury a couple of them in the cold frame to add some tanginess to early salad next spring. Stay tuned…
Please keep us updated on your progress. I’ve always considered cold frames “too difficult” for me to manage. I can’t wait to see how you do it. Then maybe I’ll get brave and try it myself.