the weather and protecting plants

This is my first time SFG and I have 4 boxes.  I thought I estimated enough Mels Mix for them all but was short so had to return to the store(s) for more, in the mean time it's been raining since!  Now they are really packed down!  Do I fill the boxes to the brim?

Also, does everyone have covers for the boxes? how are they made and how are they attached? It's been windy and we had a pretty good Tstorm last night, and I think it hailed.  I would be worried about planting seedlings and seeds without some protection but I've already invested so much that DH might get irritated. 

Thanks for the advice!  Erin

wulfferine wrote:This is my first time SFG and I have 4 boxes.  I thought I estimated enough Mels Mix for them all but was short so had to return to the store(s) for more, in the mean time it's been raining since!  Now they are really packed down!  Do I fill the boxes to the brim?

Also, does everyone have covers for the boxes? how are they made and how are they attached? It's been windy and we had a pretty good Tstorm last night, and I think it hailed.  I would be worried about planting seedlings and seeds without some protection but I've already invested so much that DH might get irritated. 

Thanks for the advice!  Erin

The settling of the mix in the boxes is absolutely normal. I recommend adding compost instead of making or buying more mix. Add enough compost to bring the mix up to the level of the bed sides. that should be fine for the season.

You will not need the covers for your boxes for long. If you want some protection for transplants, make some cloches from plastic milk or water containers if you have them.

Hopefully hail is a rare occurrence at this time of year.  Kinda hard to protect from that.  Don't shy away from planting your seeds and transplants as long as you follow the recommendations for your state.   Look at your first year as an experiment.  I learned that my garden needs a cover to keep out birds and animals.  They ravaged my garden the first couple of years.   I'm located along a wooded wetland, so there are plenty of animals. You may or may not have that problem.

I use a bit of protections as needed living in the state of Maine where we get drops in temps quite a bit early in the season.
I have one box that has a metal frame and a plastic cover.  I can start my lettuces, greens and radishes in that and cover if needed.  I can also extend my fall cool crops into an early winter with the plastic cover.  See below.



It has wide flaps that open to the rain and sunshine and when I close it up, it has a couple of zippered openings in the sides for air circulation.  Very handy.

I also have frost-weight and insect barrier Agribon row covers.  The frost-weight is draped over crops if a cold snap is expected and the insect-barrier I use against squash bugs and flea beetles and also as shade cover when the cool crops need some protection from hot sun as their season progresses.
But in a pinch, you can also use old towels, sheets and blankets to protect your tomatoes, peppers and eggplants from a frosty night.

thanks this helps!

Wullferine, This is my system for rain, hail, green caterpillar butterflies, sun shade, what ever nature throws at the garden.  I like gable topped frames because it sheds rain and is very stable.  I have permanent "holders" in the beds and can change out the "legs" of the frames to accommodate short or tall plants. The plastic covers are marked with their size. Plastic covers, bridal tulle, and sun shade sheers are cleaned or washed for storage so it's easy to cover everything rather quickly, for what ever is coming. I hope these help. There are a lot of topics regarding frames, greenhouse, and covers that you can find through the Search feature.

Winter green house:

General frame:

Protection from green caterpillar white butterfly:

Permanent "cup holders":

Sanderson......Those are great frames.  You're prepared for it all!

Thanks QB. I tried different things over the past 26 months and finally reached what was perfect for what I needed. The neat thing is that the parts are not glued so are completely interchangeable. I can store all the gable top pieces together, the legs together by height, the beams by 3' or 4' long boxes. Only 2 boxes have a couple custom sized pieces that can only fit on those boxes, but they are easy to mark. Plus the green house is uniquely sized.