Re: HYB: seedlings in cold frame

Cold frames are very useful for extending growing seasons and lessening the
blow of a sudden cold snap. I use mine for all sorts of plants.

I heat it a bit with green manure and you can see steam rising many mornings
until the snow seals it off.

Haven't used it for iris seedlings but I have used it to store irises that
got here way too late for safe planting. Little tricky getting them back out
again but they survive. The iris that have wintered over get moved as soon
as I dare because it does start getting pretty warm and humid in there. They
are a little frost tender when kicked out and usually get a lot of leaf
damage but survive. They spend the late fall and early winter growing in
flats of sandy soil placed inside. Gives them time before the cold puts them
to sleep.

My cold frame is made of cement foundation blocks that are not mortared
together but are held in place by a wooden frame inside and out. Makes for a
layer of air insulating it. Aso some housewrap under the wood to block any
drafts. Old windows from the dump are over the top and it sits on ground
that tilts it towards the south to catch as much sun for as long as
possible.
I can put tomatos out there in March wouldn't normally be able to put them
outside here until Memorial Day. If a real cold spell comes late I will
usually add a few milk jugs of hot water and throw a heavy blanket over the
windows. Works well and most plants come out somewhat hardened off.

The whole idea of a cold frame is more time. It has been a totally useful
tool here where I have killing frosts from Sept to the end of May.

There are iris sleeping in there now. Got a big box of SDB's late in
October. Usually I like to have planting done here by the end of July. I'm
very confident that most will survive but I won't be able to see anything
until mid April at least when the snow backs off.

Sue in NH

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