Posted on 02/22/2008 8:32:03 AM PST by Gabz
Cold frames work OK when the ground is not frozen rock hard and there’s sun to help warm them. All they would do is push back the planting time a little due to frosts. The freezes we get here really make it a need to start stuff indoors.
I’ve never used a coldframe...primarily because I have yet to really understand hows and whys of one working.
But I’m all ears!!!!!
Thanks for the info...........as I said, that’s hubby’s research, as he’s the one who has kept bringing it up this week. For the past few years he’s been adamant about I could have all the ground tilled up for crops I wanted and all the outdoor cats, but he drew the line at ANY form of livestock. I took him at his word.
If he wants to look into laying hens, that’s fine by me!
What zone are you two in? I’m thinking you must be warmer than my 6a :)
I’m not sure when I’m going to plant out this year. Last year, I planted out swiss chard, spinach, lettuce, snow peas, and kohlrabi at the end of March. Unfortunately, we had an early April freeze that killed all but the spinach. I think most of those plants could have handled a slight freeze, but it went down into the teens for 4 or 5 days. It was a rare occurrence to freeze that deeply so late, but it still makes me hesitate to plant out so early again. I re-planted after the cold snap, and had a nice little crop. Kohlrabi is a really unique looking veggie.
I’m not even close to a spring mindset yet. We’ve currently got more ice, although not as bad as the last storm. I’m thinking the articles I’ve read recently about global cooling might just be accurate :)
Central NY, in the hills, just borderline 5. I make sure everything is hardy for at least that.
My hubby is the same way about livestock, or was. When I had horses he wouldn’t touch them. He’s finally given in to the fact that I will have inside dogs, and they will sleep with me. He didn’t want the hens, either—wouldn’t touch the goat’s milk. He was the one that ended up taking care of the chickens. LOL
He didn’t use to want to have anything to do with the garden—now he’s turned into Mr. Greenjeans!
How do you keep the cats out of your garden? If they don’t stay out, be careful. Sure you already know, but you can get lots of nasty diseases from cats using your garden for a litter box.
A ‘coldframe’ is merely a box with a glass (or some type of transparent) top. I found a glass storm door at the dump and built a box for the bottom. Put soil in the bottom and the storm (hinged) door on top. Open hinged door when temperature is above 60degrees outside and close at night when temp falls.
You can google ‘cold frame’ and get more detailed info on construction.
I live in East Tennessee. Gets pretty cold this time of year. I have been able to grow and keep (fall started) celery, lettuce, broccoli, brussel sprouts along with hard wood cuttings for later propagation.
Don’t know what region you live in but you could try a ‘hot frame’. a hot frame is basically the same as a cold frame but with some organic matter at the bottom of the ‘frame’. Some use fresh manure to provide the heat. Some suggest cheap dry dog food to provide the warmth. If you are really ambitious, heating elements are in order. Google to find detailed construction info.
Again, I guess if you live in a super cold region nothing will work. I am in East Tennessee.
Gosh, sure hope everyone grows corn, because the only reason corn prices have risen is ethanol — not because of ethanol-driven speculation and the $3 a gallon fuel that pushed up the prices of absolutely everything except corn. ;’)
Nothing like fresh picked sweet corn — pick it, shuck it, cook it, eat it.
Have you ever tried eating fresh sweet corn right off the plant in the garden?
No, but the raccoons have.
Sprinkle a little Hot Sauce on the silk and pee in a jug and pour it around the patch.
Cukes and zukes don’t transplant well. You might try a couple and see if they live first. You getting enough light on them? Alot of times if they’re leggy it’s due to too little light.
Put me on your ping list please!
I might give a go at planting tomatoes upside-down in 5 gal. buckets. http://www.seedsofknowledge.com/tomato2.html
Please add me to your ping list. Mr. sneakers loves gardening, and it’s starting to look more attractive to me as well! I do some canning and freezing, and would like to expand my knowledge there as well.
Thanks,
sneakers
I'm definitely warmer than both of you, I'm about the line between 7a and 7b.
LOL!!!!! They don't like that side of the property and so pretty much stay away from it on their own.
You've got that right --- unfortunately the deer don't have to shuck or cook - they just pick and eat :)
I'm planning on putting in a lot of sweet corn this year, from what I've been told I'll pretty much be able to charge anythig I want for it this year.
I’ve put you both on the list!!!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.