Re: Cold frames
- To: Multiple recipients of list <i*@rt66.com>
- Subject: Re: Cold frames
- From: "* B* <j*@infinet.com>
- Date: Fri, 28 Nov 1997 16:45:11 -0700 (MST)
>I don't know of anyone who uses a cold frame for flowering plants up
>here. A major question I have is how MUCH protection is provided by a cold
>frame -- *in my climate* would seeds germinate enough sooner within than
>they would without to be worth the bother?
I am in zone 5 and have used a cold frame for several years for potted iris
and
perennial seedlings. My frames are constructed of plywood and 2x4s, 12" high
in front and 30" in back. An old screen door is used for the top. When the
temps
are consistently < 30f daytime (Usu mid December) I staple two layers of
heavy
plastic around the edges of the screen door. And other than checking about
every
10 days for water, they stay this way until spring. After the hard freezes
are over
and the temps may reach 50 during the day, I prop the doors up by about 2"
and
leave them until it's warm enough to remove the plastic. Both 8 foot long
frames
have south exposure.
The plastic is from a furniture store and covers the matresses they sell,
about 6 mil
thickness. It's free, and good to solarize beds with also.
I raise undersize rhizomes and seeds sown about the same time the plastic
goes on
with very good results.
>A cold frame could help in the hardening-off process but I'd be worried
>about cooking the seedlings in our intense sunlight -
I did cook some bloomstalks one year, but I was late removing the plastic
and
the temps hit 75. The plastic does afford some protection from the sun, more
than clear glass or plex.
Does zone 5 Southern Ohio qualify as the great white north?
