A Cold Frame Greenhouse Is The Ideal Means To Start Your Garden Sooner
A cold frame greenhouse is a great way to stretch the growing season and to supply a protected environment for your plants. These compact growing boxes are a welcome addition to any backyard, whether or not you have a conventional greenhouse. They\'re a perfect place for your greenhouse plants to adjust to the outdoor environment before you plant them. And they\'re perfect for starting seedlings in the spring.
A cold frame greenhouse is really just a wooden box without a bottom measuring about a foot high that\'s either set on the ground or sunk in several inches. If you would like to sow your plants directly within the box, then put in about four or five inches of topsoil and compost. You can build it to any size you like, but make certain you\'re able to get at everything within it. A cold frame depends exclusively on sunshine for its heat, so you should locate it in a secluded spot that gets plenty of sun and is shielded from the wind.
The most essential aspect of a cold frame is the angled roof, which is made of transparent or translucent material that lets in heat from the sun. Old windows make good covers, but you can choose any form of clear, rigid plastic or film; just make sure that the cover can be adjusted so as to allow proper exposure to air.
A hotbed is a type of cold frame with a source of heat within it, which could be a heating cable controlled by thermostat, a standard light bulb or even manure. Each of these sources of heat will protect your plants from a cold demise even if outside temperatures dip to nearly 15 degrees F.
There\'s no need to construct your own cold frame if you\'re not handy with a hammer. A cold frame greenhouse is actually a mini greenhouse, and you can get these all ready to go at various stores and on the internet. These products are lightweight but sturdy, and can be easily relocated as required. They will usually be taller than cold frames and are produced from translucent plastic which is typically double-walled to provide insulation, and the roof is hinged for easy access.
You can use your cold frame greenhouse for getting a head start on hardier annuals and early salad greens. It\'s also the perfect situation to adapt seedlings prior to transplanting them into the ground. When the weather warms up, you might want to use it for rooting cuttings, to start more fragile annuals and also to sprout seeds. You might also plant winter vegetables in your cold frame in the fall so you will be able to enjoy fresh greens and root vegetables in the winter months.
An indoor greenhouse is easy to set up and maintain, and is available in an assortment of sizes and materials to suit every home and budget. You can make a homemade indoor greenhouse, or buy one of the many pre-fab structures available.
