There is not much for the gardener to do outside during January and February in many parts of the country. With snow and ice on the ground and temperatures below freezing there is little work to be done in the garden. However, it is a wonderful time of year for the gardener to be working on cold frames or hot beds.
For those who have a large heated garage or workshop January is the prime time to begin constructing the cold frame for the early spring months. Hot beds or cold frames are necessary in many parts of the country. There are many good reasons for beginning the garden in a cold frame:
- Allows the gardener to plant early
- Hardens the seedlings
- Prevents a late frost from damaging new plants
- And, allows the gardener to stagger the planting for summer long vegetables.
Cold frames can be purchased from many home and garden supply stores. Most gardeners are pretty handy with simple tools. For those building the cold frame can be less costly, quick, easy, and a terrific January project.
To build an adequate cold frame all that is needed is wood and old windows. Wooden sides can be easily hammered together to create a rectangle that slopes downward from the back to the front. Of note, treated wood should not be used for cold frames or for raised beds later in the season. The chemicals used to treat the wood to prevent rot can leach into the soil and contaminate it. Instead, invest in a few pieces of cypress or cedar. It will be worth the investment.
The old windows can be used as the top of the cold frame. The depth of the cold frame should be dependent on the size of the windows used as the top. The windows can be hinged at the back and should reach the front of the structure to fully cover the soil and seedlings at night.
Building a cold frame is a simple process and can be a good January project for the gardener. For those less handy with hammers and nails, there are many sizes and styles of retail cold frames available.
No related posts.
