We’ve had lots of lows in the teens and days in the 20s-30s. Today it actually got into the low 50s for the first time since late November. I re-covered the cold frame lids yesterday as the way I did it the first time didn’t allow water to run off very easily and the weight of the water and ice tended to stretch the plastic which added to the drainage problem. If the drainage problem persists I’ll look into into some poly or acrylic sheets for next year if the added weight won’t be too much for the automatic opener. Of course I picked the first windy day I could find to do this so I came out of it looking like I had been mudwrestling.
Through all of the cold (and snow) the greens in the cold frame are battered but still kicking. The green onions aren’t looking very good. A few are still alive but they may have just been planted too late. The chives are still green but not great looking, the sorrel is still ok. The frame has no added heat source and some burn is evident on some of the lettuce. The radishes are looking kind of sad, not sure they will recover. I’ve not tried tasting any of it lately. I don’t know if the extended stay at such a small size will affect the taste. I have heard that there is a chance that if it lives through the winter the lettuce will be prone to rapid bolting once spring temps arrive. Time will tell.