Cold Frame Experiment

15 years ago

Hi there,

In DC we just had a wonderful weekend and we just finished constructing a nice cold frame with glass windows over one raised bed and a hoop house over the other. These are southwest facing and get tons of sun. Of course, it's January in DC and the coldest days of the winter are ahead of us. We've used cold frames before to keep spinach all winter, but these are more insulated and I don't have any spinach in them now :). I'm thinking I will start some kale, chard and arugula inside and transplant into the cold frame in 2 weeks or so.

What do you think? Ever plant in a cold frame in the winter? I know it can extend the growing season, and that it's too cold out there for the seeds to germinate, but how about take root and grow? Should we get soil warming cables to ensure success?

Thanks!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

ellicottcitycathy
15 years ago
I have swiss chard under mine, but I started them in August. I set up a cold frame out of bricks and a storm door. I"m thinking I'll move it around for a while before I make it permanent. The bricks take about 30 minutes to set up. I haven't tried germinating seed under it yet, I think it's too cold. But if you try a heating cable, please post your results. Can you post photos?
gemini_jim
15 years ago
I made a cold frame out of straw bales and a pane of aquarium glass; planted kale seeds in November (later than I would have liked), and they are doing well now, but not growing too fast at this point.

Right now it probably is too cold to start seeds outdoors, unless you put the hoop house *over* the cold frame, then it just might work! At the verly least they will have a good headstart for spring.

As far as starting seeds and transplanting, it seems like the transition would be very stressful for the seedlings.

For lots of information and inspiration on this subject, I'd recommend "Four Season Harvest" by Eliot Coleman.
Related Professionals
Vineland Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Fredericksburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Lynchburg Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Dubuque Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Coldwater Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Madison Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Provo Landscape Architects & Landscape Designers · Madison Landscape Contractors · Charleston Landscape Contractors · Waterbury Landscape Contractors · Lebanon Landscape Contractors · Portland Landscape Contractors · Great Bend Basement Remodeling · Hagerstown Basement Remodeling · Fort Collins Basement Remodeling