Hi EG,

Place a stick under the rim of the cold frame so that the hot air can escape, it will be better for the seeds and seedlings.

Welcome to Winter Sowing.

T

EG: We do have a few members who use coldframes though most of us just put our milk jugs out in the snow all winter. The cold won't harm seeds and many need those cold temps to overcome dormancy.

Though I have no experience with cold frames, I'd err on the side of caution and open that lid some as Trudi suggested. I think the seeds/seedlings are far more likely to cook in high temps than to be damaged by a little cold.

Karen

Hiya, EG, welcome.

One member here posted a picture of the large coldframe he constructed this year. Maybe you can get some ideas from his thread.

All the best,

Lois in PA

Here is a link that might be useful: Picture of Coldframe

Trudi and Karen - thanks for your replies. So, I should leave the lids cracked the whole time?
I was wondering if freezing temps would harm them in some way...

Later on, i'll construct a control system that will open the lids for me - based on temperature. It's the best way for me to control everything, because I work during the day, and don't have anyone to help regulate it.

I'm really excited about wintersowing, and love the fact that it gives me something to do during the winter months. Any input is greatly appreciated!

EG

Here is a link that might be useful: You can follow my progress here

Thanks, Lois. I know Tom well, and we frequently visit each other's blogs. That hoophouse he built is fantastic, and really big!

EG

Welcome EG. I know you're interested more in veggies than flowers, so be sure to ask questions. Lots of people here grow veggies too. In our zone, cold weather crops can be wintersown in mid January. Snow Peas on Valentines Day, and tomatoes in late March.

I would do like Trudi said and insert a stick into the frame every morning and leave it all day. Take it out each night. Or, for a few bucks, you could buy and install one of those self operating vents people use to vent their crawlspaces. They open around 70 degrees and close when the temperature is about 45. I'm thinking of getting two for my hoophouse and just cutting a hole in the plastic for them. A little duct tape and it should hold up for the winter.

Too cold for seeds in Alabama? Take it from an Ohioan, seeds don't mind being cold, or frozen for that matter. In winter, mine look like this
{{gwi:357369}}

Under each hole in the snow is a frozen-solid milk jugs containing my sown seeds.

In spring they look like this
{{gwi:194665}}

In fact, some seeds need a period of cold stratification to overcome dormancy.

Karen

Tom - ok, i'll start propping it open every morning before leaving the house. Like you said, I do grow veggies mostly, but will dabble in annuals too.
I'd really like to hear when different veggies can be started in my zone, and appreciate your input with the various ones you brought up.

Karen - cool! that gives me some hope with the current things in them right now. Oh yeah....I read that stratification stuff when doing some research on jap maple seeds....I'd like to do some of those in there, too!!!! Is it time yet?

EG