Tag Archives: Cold Frame

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Cold Frame – Part 1

For several years now I have been threatening to build a cold frame. Each year has come and gone without one and it isn’t usually till about late October early November that I realize that once again I have let yet another year pass without this gardening necessity. I promised myself that this year would be the year. I had hoped to have it completed by the first of Sept but a new job, night class and a week of the latest cold/flu to hit the area forced me to wait till this weekend to start.

Yesterday I took a trip to a local hardware store/lumber yard and picked up the circular saw I had also been threatening to buy as well as the lumber for the 4’x8′ frame. My supply list…

lumber
2 – 2″x12″x8′
1 – 2″x8″x8″
8 – 2″x2″x8′ (I may end up needing another one of these)

4 – 3″ hinges with removable pin
nails
2 – 4 1/2′ x 4 1/2′ pieces of plastic
2 – 4 1/2′ x 4 1/2′ pieces of window screen (I’m using 36″ wide screen and overlapping)
auto-opener
paint

So far I have built the frame and attached 2″x2″s around the bottom where it contacts the soil. These can be easily replaced every couple of years as needed. I put it in place but have not painted it or built the lights. I was going to make 3 sections but settled on 2. I’ll cover them with screen while the weather is still warm. This should help keep some pests out.

This week after work I will put it up on blocks and paint it to help with longevity. I didn’t used treated wood so I’ll need something on the wood for protection. I figured I would paint the inside white to help reflect the light. Not sure if I will paint the outside black or stick with white for it too.

Fall Seeds and the cold frame

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…