Cold Frame Temperatures

Coldframes are distinguished from hothouses or greenhouses in that coldframes do not have a heat source.  When growing in a coldframe it is the most energy efficient, green, low carbon footprint way to have fresh vegetables in winter.  On cold nights the coldframe requires a little extra attention to throw a tarp or insulated blanket over the cold frame to retain the heat that generated during the day.  One way to stay on top of the fluctuating temperatures is to place a remote thermomenter into the coldframe.  Keep the base unit in the house so you can know the temperature in the coldframe.

The below thermometer is perfect for monitoring greenhouse temperatures from within the house.  The remote wireless sensor transmits up to 330 feet away.  Transmitting more than just temperature, the humidity readings will be critical in keeping your coldframe plants watered.  Because coldframes have a warmer ambient temperature and deflect the rain they are at risk of drying out well before the area around the coldframe.  The remote humidity reading for this thermomenter is very important if the coldframe is being used to harden off seedlings. 

Not related to the coldframe but a very nice feature is the radio controlled atomic clock which automatically updates for daylight savings time. 

MuckBoots - The Best Gardening Boots

When gardening in the off-season one of the most important gardening tools is going to be your footwear.  The correct Gardening Boots can help you avoid falls, ignore the mud and get your chores done. 

If you have not already switched to MuckBoots (Can you tell they are gardeners just by the name?), you will want to give it careful consideration. 

The MuckBoots were developed for high performance in the garden or when working outside.  Guaranteed to keep you toes dry, but also designed with a breathable internal mesh for comfort these are far advanced from traditional rain boots.  They are easily hosed off and are designed for extended wear and tough conditions.  MuckBoots extend across seasons with a clog for summer, ankle level shoe for wet weather and midcalf to higher significant mud.  Plus, the womens gardening shoes are some of the cutest gardening shoes available on the market!  Garden in Style!

Cold Frames

Cold Frames can be as simple as draping a clear plastic shower curtain liner between structures and planting underneath.  (More sophiticated ones are shown below).  The use of a cold Frame is best in moderate climates where a significant difference in the ambient environment can be made just by protecting plants from direct frost and winter winds. 

Most of what I have written on this subject on How to Build Cold Frames can be found here:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4785080_build-cold-frame.html

Cold Frames for purchase can be found below:

Thermo Cube by Farm Innovators

Be Prepared for Fluctuating Winter Temps -Thermo Cube by Farm Innovators can avoid a complete kill of your cold frame plants with one unexpected cold snap.

When growing in a coldframe, hothouse or greenhouse during winter there is always a risk of seedlings or tender lettuce freezing.  When the cold frame is started we honestly believe that we will remember to go out and cover it on unexpectantly cold nights, but, let's be honest.  We all really need a Thermo Cube to back us up!  This is a simple but brilliant product.  The Termo Cub as two outlets, you plug it in outside and it allows electrical current to flow when it is below 35 degrees F and turns it off when it is above 45 degrees F. 






The Termocube, thermodynamic power outlet which turns on and off with temperature changes is useful at other places around the house.  Use it to automatically control when dog heating pads and cat heating pads turn on and off for outdoor dogs and outdoor cats.  Also, if you are a birder, use it with a bird bath heating coil or heated water bowl for birds.  This simple, ingenious product helps you take care of outdoor dogs, cats and birds. 

This is also an essential tool to keep livestock water troughs from freezing, fish ponds from freezing, construction site caulk from freezing, roof de-icing cables, you name it.  It is a critical system component when using any heat tape, heating wire, de-icers and heat lamps. 

Items the Thermo Cube is used with include:

Gardeners hybernate during the winter, pouring over seed catalogues and dreaming of a warm tomato from the garden.  This Blog will help gardeners to learn how to extend the growing season through the use of microclimates, cold frames and other techniques.

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