Cold Frame Greenhouse - Benefit From An Extended Growing Season

Article Written By: Sarah Duke

A cold frame greenhouse is a fantastic way to extend the gardening season and to offer a protected environment for your plants. These small growing structures are a great addition to any backyard, whether or not you have a standard greenhouse. They're an ideal location for your hothouse plants to adjust to the outside environment before you plant them. And they're just the thing for growing seedlings in the springtime.

A cold frame greenhouse is essentially a bottomless wooden box measuring around a foot high which is either placed on the ground or sunk in several inches. If you would like to plant directly within the structure, then put in around four or five inches of compost and topsoil. You'll be able to make it any size you like, just be certain you're able to reach all the plants within it. A cold frame relies exclusively on sunlight for its heat, therefore be sure to locate it in a secluded spot that gets lots of sunlight and is shielded from strong winds.

The most important part is the angled roof, which is made from transparent or translucent material that allows in heat from the sun. Discarded windows make great covers, but you can choose any form of transparent, stiff plastic or film; simply be sure that the cover is adjustable in order to allow adequate ventilation.

A cold frame greenhouse is essentially a miniature greenhouse, and you can obtain these all ready to go at various retailers and online merchants. These products are lightweight yet strong, and may be effortlessly moved around as needed. They are likely to be taller than cold frames and are manufactured from translucent plastic which is generally double-walled to provide insulation, and the roof is hinged for easy access.

You can use a cold frame greenhouse for starting more robust annuals and early salad greens. It is also a great place to adjust seedlings prior to transplanting them into the ground. As the outdoor temperatures rise, you'll be able to use it to root cuttings, to start less hardy annuals and also to sprout seeds.

You might also sow winter vegetables so you will be able to have fresh root vegetables and greens throughout the winter months.

About the Author

For serious gardeners, an indoor greenhouse kit is the perfect way to extend the growing season. Click here to learn more about an indoor greenhouse.

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