The First Cold Frame

Here in Minnesota we still have snow on the ground! Typically I don’t sow cool crop seeds for a few more weeks; we still get frost often into mid-May.  Anyway, after searching all over town for a cold frame, without success, I asked my husband if he’d build me one.  This is the first one of two.  This one was built with an old storm window we had on hand, and some scrap lumber. 

The idea is that it works like a miniature greenhouse to warm the soil, and you can extend your growing season from very early spring into early winter.  I’m going to put a thermometer in today and see what the temps are like.

Cold frames can be very fancy, with automatic openers to keep them from getting too hot.  As the weather warms I’ll just prop open the lid, eventually I’ll lift it off the new seedlings (it is very lightweight) and move it and use it to keep some melon seedlings warm.

I will probably add some composted manure to heat the box from the inside, and maybe a little straw around the outside.  Once summer hits and the box is not in use, I’ll paint it.

We’re due for a huge thunderstorm, so I’m hoping to go out and make some seed purchases.  Let the gardening begin!