I was just wondering why you are sowing directly into the bed and not into containers.

I wondered the same.
You will need to get those sides covered/blocked or something to prevent bird and mouse/vole smorgasbord. Then holes need to be poked on top for your means of moisture and ventilation. Next spring your will also want to be prepared for slugs, snails and roly poly's that will find their way into that area.
JMHO....

Thank you for your insight. I thought that sowing into the raised bed would give me more room, that was the idea behind my plan anyway, lol! I do have containers that I can sow into, and a heap of mushroom compost and soil that I can fill the containers with. I can do it that way if the raised bed idea is a no go. I have always started my seeds in the spring in that bed so I thought it would work for WS. I will use the containers if that is better.
Thank you, Kathy

I put a picture of the raised bed I am asking about on Photobucket, I hope I did it correctly and that you can see it.
thank you for your help.
Kathy
{{gwi:353659}}

looks like a lot of work was put into your .... ummmm ... outdoor greenhouse, i guess i would call it ...

it might not exactly be wintersowing; but i surely would find a way to use it! ventilation is definitely something that you would have to figure out ... good luck! phyl

Hi Kathy!

I love your nice new raised bed. Great job on it! I have some raised veggie beds myself, 4x4. I'm not sure what I am looking at, is it one bed that is divided, or two beds? So far, I have winter sown into containers and actually sit my containers inside my raised bed, just to kind of corral them and keep them from blowing around in the wind. I have always wanted to build a top like you have done. I have the plastic, but just never seem to find the time to do it. It will be very useful I am sure and you can grow all kinds of things in it. Salad greens and spinach over the winter, maybe?

As for winter sowing, using this bed, it sounds like a great experiment to me. I do wonder, if it would save you all the fooling around with preparing containers?! The only concern I have, is if you have enough head room for plants to keep growing until you are ready to plant them out. I am not sure why you would find a lot of problems with voles, mice etc. Maybe because they know there were seeds in there to eat? Since food is in short supply for them in the winter, maybe they would be attracted to it? I don't understand why they would be attracted to that and not the containers though? My containers all have seed in them and have a flap that a mouse could easily use for entrance but I haven't had a problem with that in past two years winter sowing.

I'm not sure what the answer to your question is about poking holes in the plastic. I believe that the holes are for ventilation, so that conditions in the box would not be too moist?

Since it is Saturday, I am thinking maybe you were out there today figuring it out for yourself? If you built this box specifically for winter sowing, I would go ahead and try it. I don't see how it can hurt. You will gain experience and more answers to your questions that way, then anyone here can give you, because I am pretty sure, no one has ever tried that!! :-) You would be the FIRST! I would be very curious to see how it works out!

You are using mushroom compost? Isn't that neat! Are you an organic grower too?

pm2

This was my perennial seed starting bed until yesterday. We added the smaller part that you see on the left side so that the window frame would fit. I have always started my seeds in here, before the top was put on, and then planted them in the flower beds when they were large enough. I could take out some of the soil to lower it before I put down the seeds if it's not going to be deep enough for the growing plants. It is going to be ten below tonight with the windchill, so I think it will be a few days before I plant, lol!
So, if I remove some of the soil, wet the remainder then plant the seeds, close the lid the seeds will be ok? They will get plenty of air, it's the moisture I am concerned about, do I water it?
Thank you, Kathy

Could you poke some holes in the plastic to let water in? You will probably need to check it frequently to make sure it stays moist enough. If you have enough seeds, why not try both ways and see which one is easiest for you or works out better for you? I say, you have it, it couldn't hurt to try it (only the cost of the seeds if it doesn't work). Good luck, and let us know what you decide to do.

Kathy
What you have made is basically a cold frame, and darn good looking one at that, :). Although its not the typical way we winter sowers do it, I think it just might work for you, as you say its worked in the past. Most cold frames that I've seen are made with the top being glass or plexi-glass, but they do work, you will need some way to check on germination though and keeping the soil moist. Please keep us updated on your progress.
Alberta

We had old glass windows we could have used but opted for the heavy weight plastic because I could just see my dog Gus jumping on top of it going after his ball, and hurting himself. How many and where do I place the slits in the plastic for water? I am new to this so I have no idea, lol! After I poke holes in the plastic should I enclose the sides that I left a 3 inch gap in for air flow?
Thank you everyone for helping me, your a great bunch!
Kathy
This is Gus, my Assistance Dog, who loves to play ball, and he was why I decided to use the heavy mil plastic. Isn't he a doll?

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:353657}}

Beautiful Puppy! I have not done a cold frame but I would say you do need to tape/ close in the sides some how. Make sure the area will drain well.As for the number of slits/holes up top use your judgment. Enough to keep it moist but not too many. You can always add more if needed. I know for containers if you get condensation you've done a good job.So I'm sure the theory is the same. Good luck! Hope this helps!
Monica

Kathy,

I have used a similar cold frame, as have several relatives and neighbors, and in fact, what you've done there is exactly what people did before the concept of sowing in plastic recyclables began.

Your cold frame will work beautifully for you and you don't need to poke holes in the top, and don't worry about enclosing the sides. Just make sure that you have condensation on the roof when your days start to get above freezing (if they're not already), and prop the lid open a bit once your daytime temperatures get in the 40's (maybe low 50's) AND you have germination of your seedlings. Before stuff germinates, I would not worry about propping it open. YOu just want to make sure that you don't cook the seedlings if that bed's in direct sun, especially in the afternoon. Sprinkle it with your hose if you don't have condensation showing up on the ceiling.

Yep. I've cooked lots of seedling in coldframes. Too many times I'd be sitting at work & and all of a sudden I'd remember "CRAP! I forgot to open the coldframe" I almost invested in one of those fancy ones that opens itself. Hey, where is Donn? He has one of those...
Maggie

i think that's just beautiful!! i think i wanta try that!! i was thinking about trying something like it, but too chicken, yep imagine me being chicken of something, LOL

Thanks to all of you that have shared your opinions and knowledge with me. I can't wait to try this out.
Kathy