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Four Season Vegetable Gardening

At what temp do I close the tops of coldframes?

17 years ago

This is my first attempt at cold frame winter gardening. I have 2 4x8 frames each having 3 tops with double layer plastic sheeting. The center top is equipped with an automatic vent. My question is, at what temp do I close the frames at night? My hi/lo thermometer tells me that the last 2 nights the temps went down to 25. I had all the tops propped opened at about a 45 degree angle with no ill effects, but I'm worried that they can only take so much cold. I'm growing mesclin, spinach, lettuce, arugula, bok choy and mini chard...all planted Sept 13 and about 3-4 inches tall.

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Comments (2)

rb55
17 years ago
25 is a bit cold. If you have automatic vents why are you propping them open? Put a theromemeter in there and set/adjust the auto opener to the desired temp. Even cold tolerant crops do not grow if its too cold.
Jeanne
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks for replying rb. I read somewhere that it is good to "toughen" up the plants for the really cold weather by letting them get as cold as possible without suffering ill effects. Everything still looks ok in spite of the weather..I have been keeping them closed. Except for the bok choy, which is looking really stressed. And I thought it was one of the more cold tolerant plants.
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