Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Smoothie Garden Solution
Winter gardening
means planting vegetables in the summer and
then harvesting during the winter. These plants usually reach
maturity by the end of October and are eaten throughout the
winter.
Overwintering
means planting certain vegetables in late
summer or early fall and harvesting them the following spring.
Plywood, cement, and stone bricks are the most common materials
used in making cold frames. The roofing material is usually a clear
product such as glass, plastic, or fiberglass. Old window frames or
glass doors can be recycled to construct the roof. The bottom of the
cold frame may be left uncovered or may have a variety of bottom
coverings depending on what you use it for. If you are growing
winter crops, you want to have a fertile, well-drained soil with
amendments added every year. If you are using it for overwintering
containers or starting seedlings, consider a floor of bricks, because
they will retain heat longer and help maintain a consistent temperat-
ure in the structure. If you are making a hothouse for your heat-lov-
ing seedlings, you will want to bury your electric heating cable and
cover it with an inch of sand. This will keep the bottom of the seed-
lings at the same temperature, which is what they need to germinate
well.
Planning how you want to use your cold frame will help you
determine your design and the materials you need to build it. A cold
frame can be an inexpensive structure made from recycled or com-
mon materials that you have on hand or can easily get. It is easy to
construct and can be used in a variety of ways all season long.
