Search
Latest topics
» Frequency/amt to waterby lisawallace88 Yesterday at 3:12 pm
» Paul's First SFGs
by jafstuff Yesterday at 2:56 pm
» Mulch around garlic
by Scorpio Rising Yesterday at 10:19 am
» Easy Refrigerator Pickles from Extra Produce
by Yardslave Yesterday at 9:57 am
» Birds of the Garden
by Scorpio Rising 6/7/2023, 9:21 pm
» Kiwi's SFG Adventure
by KiwiSFGnewbie 6/7/2023, 5:05 pm
» What Have You Picked From Your Garden Today
by Scorpio Rising 6/6/2023, 11:58 pm
» N&C Midwest: June 2023
by Scorpio Rising 6/6/2023, 5:59 pm
» New to Forum and SFG 15" raised bed foundation
by OhioGardener 6/6/2023, 12:56 pm
» Famous Gardening Quotes
by OhioGardener 6/5/2023, 10:18 am
» Tea Time -- Compost Tea, that is
by OhioGardener 6/3/2023, 7:07 pm
» Hello from Central Missouri, Zone 6a
by Scorpio Rising 6/3/2023, 3:48 pm
» N&C Midwest: May 2023
by OhioGardener 6/1/2023, 8:55 pm
» Walking stick kale
by sanderson 5/31/2023, 1:38 pm
» Why Letting Weeds Run Wild Can Actually Help Your Garden
by sanderson 5/30/2023, 2:35 pm
» What are you eating from your garden today?
by OhioGardener 5/30/2023, 12:11 pm
» Teaming with Microbes Kindle Sale (Mem. Day weekend 2023)
by sanderson 5/29/2023, 3:14 pm
» Mid-Atlantic New Host Intro & Info
by JAM23 5/29/2023, 8:38 am
» Poppy seeds - Hungarian Blue Breadseed
by AtlantaMarie 5/28/2023, 6:12 am
» Sluggo Plus
by sanderson 5/27/2023, 3:23 pm
» Centpedes
by OhioGardener 5/25/2023, 6:19 pm
» beneficial nematodes
by OhioGardener 5/24/2023, 9:18 pm
» Senseless Banter...
by markqz 5/24/2023, 5:39 pm
» Pre-Filling a 30" Raised Bed
by toledobend 5/24/2023, 1:10 pm
» Happy Birthday!!
by AtlantaMarie 5/24/2023, 7:03 am
» Aphids & Their Predators
by MrBooker 5/24/2023, 6:01 am
» Hello from Bobcaygeon, Ontario
by Scorpio Rising 5/20/2023, 1:52 pm
» Spring Flowers
by OhioGardener 5/18/2023, 6:23 pm
» My Solar Dehydrator at Work
by sanderson 5/18/2023, 3:10 pm
» French Tarragon
by sanderson 5/18/2023, 12:41 pm
Google
COLD FRAMES
+14
cyclonegardener
janezee
walshevak
quiltbea
Odd Duck
martha
SirTravers
Patty from Yorktown
LupinFarm
camprn
timwardell
boffer
choksaw
jjphoto
18 posters
Page 1 of 2
Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2
COLD FRAMES
What do you guys think about this? http://www.burpee.com/product/gardening+supplies/garden+growing/double+cold+frame.do?search=basic&keyword=frame&sortby=newArrivals&page=1#
I don't really have the budget for my dream greenhouse, but I thought something like this might help me get an early start next year. What are your thoughts?
I don't really have the budget for my dream greenhouse, but I thought something like this might help me get an early start next year. What are your thoughts?
Last edited by camprn on 3/24/2014, 11:13 am; edited 1 time in total (Reason for editing : title)
Re: COLD FRAMES
Not too shabby its got some decent hieight on it to help with larger growing plants and it looks to be very spacious. price is pretty decent too.
choksaw-
Posts : 459
Join date : 2010-03-02
Age : 48
Location : New Port Richey FL.
Re: COLD FRAMES
If budget is a factor, here's a cheap alternative
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/general-sfg-talk-f5/modified-tt-sfg-vs-cold-frame-t460.htm
https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/general-sfg-talk-f5/modified-tt-sfg-vs-cold-frame-t460.htm
Re: COLD FRAMES
Pretty cool... can I sow seeds directly in trays in that cold frame? I'm trying to find a way to start seeds outdoors - I just don't have a place to do it in the house.
Re: COLD FRAMES
as long as you can keep the soil warm while outside i dont see why there would be a problem with sowing them in the cold frame outside
2 years ago i helped a friend make a mini greenhouse outside his house so he could grow plants and veggies year round keeping it warm inside was a small factor until i reccomended we modifie his dryer duct and add a filter to it so now when his wife is doing the laundry shes actualy helping the plants everytime she turns the dryer on by pumping warm air out into the green house
2 years ago i helped a friend make a mini greenhouse outside his house so he could grow plants and veggies year round keeping it warm inside was a small factor until i reccomended we modifie his dryer duct and add a filter to it so now when his wife is doing the laundry shes actualy helping the plants everytime she turns the dryer on by pumping warm air out into the green house
choksaw-
Posts : 459
Join date : 2010-03-02
Age : 48
Location : New Port Richey FL.
Re: COLD FRAMES
choksaw wrote: shes actualy helping the plants everytime she turns the dryer on by pumping warm air out into the green house
Pretty clever...as long as she doesn't think the inevitable accumulation of lint is some sort of disease!
Re: COLD FRAMES
jjphoto wrote:Pretty cool... can I sow seeds directly in trays in that cold frame? I'm trying to find a way to start seeds outdoors - I just don't have a place to do it in the house.
I don't know if you could tell in my pics, but I did direct sow broccoli, BS, and cabbage. Next year I'll try tomatoes and peppers.
I don't know if the soil surface temp is sufficient to warm a seeding tray. I'll have to try that next year too. Just an idea, maybe a cloche over the seeding tray, within the covered box, would add extra warmth.
Re: COLD FRAMES
no worries on the lint from the dryer thats why we added a filter box that uses the same type of filter home ac and heating systems use
choksaw-
Posts : 459
Join date : 2010-03-02
Age : 48
Location : New Port Richey FL.
Re: COLD FRAMES
GREAT IDEA!choksaw wrote:
2 years ago i helped a friend make a mini greenhouse outside his house so he could grow plants and veggies year round keeping it warm inside was a small factor until i reccomended we modifie his dryer duct and add a filter to it so now when his wife is doing the laundry shes actualy helping the plants everytime she turns the dryer on by pumping warm air out into the green house

Re: COLD FRAMES
Does this mean I'm gonna have to start washing clothes everyday instead of once a week?!
Re: COLD FRAMES
LOL they have 4 kids oldest being 8 so cloths is an everyday chore for her not to mention my buddy works on a road crew for the county so hes always dirty and smelly. the way we have it set up though maintains the heat pretty well although he did ad a humidifier for the winter.
choksaw-
Posts : 459
Join date : 2010-03-02
Age : 48
Location : New Port Richey FL.
Re: COLD FRAMES
Hi JJ, this isn't directly related to cold frames but it does speak to your desire for an affordable greenhouse structure. I found this article via Stumbleupon
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/6Swa3H/doorgarden.com/10/50-dollar-hoop-house-green-house

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/6Swa3H/doorgarden.com/10/50-dollar-hoop-house-green-house

Re: COLD FRAMES
amazeing find camprn thats almost exactly the idea i had swimming in my head although i never considered useing lumber but the pvc pipe zip ties and plastic sheathing where right on the money (kinda makes me wish we had seen that befor we built his out of 2x'4s and plexi glass lol) 

choksaw-
Posts : 459
Join date : 2010-03-02
Age : 48
Location : New Port Richey FL.
Re: COLD FRAMES
Well, there's always next year. Here is another greenhouse made from reclaimed windows
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1KDjjd/www.instructables.com/id/GREENHOUSE_FROM_OLD_WINDOWS/

Re: COLD FRAMES
I use polytunnels over my beds, kind of like coldframes, and I've planted direct into the soil. My garden is full sun, south facing, so obviously I'll have to cover my beds with a shade in the height of summer but for now that full sun is an enormous benefit to my raised beds with the polytunnels on them. I'll be installing thermometers this week.
LupinFarm- Posts : 66
Join date : 2010-03-13
Age : 34
Location : Springbrook, Ont. (Zone 5b)
Re: COLD FRAMES
Okay, I need some splainin'. You can start plants early in a greenhouse, but not so sure about a cold frame? What's the difference? Aren't they basically the same thing, but just a greenhouse is larger? Or are people running heaters into the greenhouses to keep the temps up?
Grrr... never thought it'd be so hard to figure out how to start a couple trays of seeds early. Been looking into this for years and I just keep getting frustrated and giving up.
Grrr... never thought it'd be so hard to figure out how to start a couple trays of seeds early. Been looking into this for years and I just keep getting frustrated and giving up.
Re: COLD FRAMES
to cut the confusion down a cold frame is basicaly a miniature green house some just take it to a larger level based on their needs you dont really need to add a heating unit or a humidifier to them as long as they are in a sunny spot. in order for seeds to germinate the soil needs to be a certain temp (seed packets usualy tell you) so if you have a very shaded yard (like my buddy) you may need to have a small heating unit or humidifier to keep the soil temp where it needs to be.
choksaw-
Posts : 459
Join date : 2010-03-02
Age : 48
Location : New Port Richey FL.
Re: COLD FRAMES
But if you're relying on the soil temp, then you could just sow directly in the ground and then cover the area with plastic when needed. I guess this isn't the solution I'm looking for.
I'm looking for something that I can sow seeds 8 - 10 weeks early like tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, etc.
I'm looking for something that I can sow seeds 8 - 10 weeks early like tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, etc.
Re: COLD FRAMES
Here's a couple more thoughts. Choksaw is right coldframe/greenhouse are basically the same thing, different scale. Neither works without a heat source be it the sun directly, a heater, or an alternative passive heating system. I think this is cool: Some larger farmers run water lines through their large compost piles to get heated and then the heated water goes to their greenhouse to warm it. I started playing with a passive solar water heater design for greenhouse warming this winter, but I don't have anything to show for it yet.
Different seeds need different temps to germinate. Peas will germ below 40, corn prefers 60+ etc. Some folks use tray heating pads to warm the soil. They are basically waterproof and designed for that purpose. My heated sfg bed coldframe is kind of a hybrid. I heat the soil to germinate the seeds, the plastic covering keeps the warm air dissipated by the soil enclosed for when the plants are growing.
Cold frames/greenhouses are not effective if you stick 'em where the sun don't shine!
Different seeds need different temps to germinate. Peas will germ below 40, corn prefers 60+ etc. Some folks use tray heating pads to warm the soil. They are basically waterproof and designed for that purpose. My heated sfg bed coldframe is kind of a hybrid. I heat the soil to germinate the seeds, the plastic covering keeps the warm air dissipated by the soil enclosed for when the plants are growing.
Cold frames/greenhouses are not effective if you stick 'em where the sun don't shine!
Re: COLD FRAMES
Hi,
I am finally getting around to reporting on my cold frame from last fall/winter. I made two different types, which had an old window from our house as the glass. One of the cold frames sits on top of the squarefoot garden bed and the other fit over the bed down to the paths. I had larger plants in one of the frames compared to the other, where I had started baby plants. I got to eat fresh from the garden lettuce for Christmas. Anywhere the plants touched the glass they froze and died. Both frames did well until we had 3 days of below freezing weather with no sun. Then I lost everything, but 4 baby plants. They have survived the winter and have now gotten large enough to eat. The cold frame lettuce is much larger than any of my indoor starts. I am pleased.
Patty from Yorktown
Ps. I just met Ward and his wife Mary.
I am finally getting around to reporting on my cold frame from last fall/winter. I made two different types, which had an old window from our house as the glass. One of the cold frames sits on top of the squarefoot garden bed and the other fit over the bed down to the paths. I had larger plants in one of the frames compared to the other, where I had started baby plants. I got to eat fresh from the garden lettuce for Christmas. Anywhere the plants touched the glass they froze and died. Both frames did well until we had 3 days of below freezing weather with no sun. Then I lost everything, but 4 baby plants. They have survived the winter and have now gotten large enough to eat. The cold frame lettuce is much larger than any of my indoor starts. I am pleased.
Patty from Yorktown
Ps. I just met Ward and his wife Mary.
Patty from Yorktown- Posts : 350
Join date : 2010-03-05
Location : Yorktown, Virginia
Re: COLD FRAMES
I remember when I was quite young my father teaching me how to build a hotbed, which is different from a cold frame in that we dug a hole and filled it with several inches of fresh goat manure, put an inch or 2 of soil over that and then positioned the frame above. We seeded into trays and into the soil. Heat was generated by the manure and the frame was warm and toasty very early in the season. http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/martin104.html
Re: COLD FRAMES
camprn wrote:I remember when I was quite young my father teaching me how to build a hotbed, which is different from a cold frame in that we dug a hole and filled it with several inches of fresh goat manure, put an inch or 2 of soil over that and then positioned the frame above. We seeded into trays and into the soil. Heat was generated by the manure and the frame was warm and toasty very early in the season. http://www.backwoodshome.com/articles2/martin104.html
I hear of that frequently, but you're the first I believe ever had success with it. My neighbor tried something similar with his tomatoes in the ground. Each hole was dug deep enough to put uncomposted material into before planting the tomato. It didn't work. Maybe a whole bed is needed so there is enough volume of compost working.
south facing windows
If you have some big south facing windows that get sun all day you can put your starter trays on the window sill. I'd do it more, but my cat and my 4 year old would knock all the starter trays down. hehe
SirTravers-
Posts : 327
Join date : 2010-03-01
Age : 49
Location : Hobbs New MExico, Zone 7A/7B
Re: COLD FRAMES
SirTravers wrote:If you have some big south facing windows that get sun all day you can put your starter trays on the window sill. I'd do it more, but my cat and my 4 year old would knock all the starter trays down. hehe
Nope, no place in the house at all to put them. At least I've got about 10 months to figure out a solution!
Re: COLD FRAMES
okay, Patty, so you met Ward and Mary and that's all you have to say about it????
Regarding the hot bed approach, I have heard a lot about it and have been intrigued - have never yet tried it, but I do believe you would need an entire bed to retain enough warmth to help.
I'm also anxious to try cold frames - was hoping for this spring, but am now aiming at the fall. I have started seeds indoors - with some peas started outside - but I have it easy because I can do it at work. At home with the cats - forget it!
Regarding the hot bed approach, I have heard a lot about it and have been intrigued - have never yet tried it, but I do believe you would need an entire bed to retain enough warmth to help.
I'm also anxious to try cold frames - was hoping for this spring, but am now aiming at the fall. I have started seeds indoors - with some peas started outside - but I have it easy because I can do it at work. At home with the cats - forget it!
martha-
Posts : 2188
Join date : 2010-03-03
Age : 66
Location : Acton, Massachusetts Zone 5b/6a
Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2

» Cold Frames
» Cold Frames for worms?
» Lettuce experiment with cold frames
» Can leggy plants be saved?
» Cold Frames and Hot Beds
» Cold Frames for worms?
» Lettuce experiment with cold frames
» Can leggy plants be saved?
» Cold Frames and Hot Beds
Page 1 of 2
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|