Cold Frame?

[frustratedearthmother]

Had one of those "I wonder" moments and started questioning if I could put a cold frame to use. I'd love it as a safe place to start seedlings. Invariably, when I get some tender seeds started a chicken will hop the fence to investigate. I have some lettuce in the garden now, but I've already had to toss a sheet over it a couple of times and I'll probably need to again this week. Not a terrible big deal, but if I could find a simpler way I'd sure give it a try.

Anybody have a cold frame? Is it everything you wished it to be or are there any changes you'd make so it would be more user (and plant) friendly?

 

[Sassafras II]

I built one a few weeks ago. I framed the sides with 2X2s and plywood and put an old window on top, piled dirt around the sides so that the only thing exposed is the window. Temp got down to 12* and the lettuce and cilantro survived. So far I really like it. I'm planing to build more and try growing broccoli, spinach and kale.

 

[Britesea]

My unheated greenhouse IS essentially a cold frame tall enough for me to stand up in. Cold frames are kind of the poor man's greenhouse, and hot boxes are like a heated greenhouse. They used to put a nice thick layer of fresh manure on the bottom, then layer sand on top. The heat created by the composting manure traveled up through the sand to heat the seedling, just like an electric heat pad. By the time the manure had worn itself out, the plants were strong enough to withstand the cooler temps inside what had become a cold frame. VERY elegant system! I don't have easy access to enough fresh hot manure to do this (not enough chickens) but if I ever do get my hands on some, I want to try this.

 

[JanetMarie]

Can you make the window/top with hinges? Usually you want to open the frame when the outdoor temperature starts getting warmer so you don't cook the plants. If you can remove the top entirely during the summer that would prevent the plants from getting too warm.

It is a high tunnel cold frame that I was going to order. The ends can be opened, but I don't think I'm going to get it because it takes up a large space in the garden, and don't think I have enough use for it to justify the space it takes and the price to purchase it.

I have some low row covers that I've grown lettuce under before, and have over-wintered lettuce before during a mild winter. I actually have the row covers in the garden now, but the wind blew them off the lettuce, and the ducks went in the garden and ate it.

 

[Britesea]

With an old-fashioned cold frame, you could also grow lettuce in the summer by putting a light shade cloth over it instead of glass or plastic. I did that one year just using a sheet over the top; plenty of light, and during the hottest part of the day I misted the sheet so the evaporation cooled the air underneath. It kept my lettuce from bolting for almost a month!

 

[Hinotori]

All I remember is that my great grandmother had a rug to toss over her cold frame at night for the worst weather. Helped keep the heat in that single pane glass.

 

[Mini Horses]

If I sent you manure, and it was stolen from your porch wonder if they'd return it? 🤔

 

[Hinotori]

I have a little greenhouse tarp frame that fits over a metal raised bed. They came as a set. It has a zipped opening that velcros open to let out excess heat.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

Thanks @Sassafras II ! I have an old window - but it's a double paned Low-E kind that doesn't let heat through. I need to research...

Really glad to get a positive report. Makes me think maybe I can do this.

Ok - my research says:

"Low-E glass also blocks Ultra Violet Radiation which can be harmful to plants in large amounts. Low-E glazed glass does not adversely affect houseplant growth, and with some species, it has actually been known to boost plant growth."

Now I need to rustle up something to use for a frame.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

All I remember is that my great grandmother had a rug to toss over her cold frame at night for the worst weather. Helped keep the heat in that single pane glass.

I can do that!