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Photo Tour Cold Weather Plant Storage
Often when tackling a large project, even one that you enjoy, situations pop up that you hadn’t anticipated. The Garden Home Retreat affords me a lot more room to garden, but it also means a heck of a lot more tender plants that need protection in winter. My little lathe house wasn’t the answer. So I called a local greenhouse supplier and he installed a cold weather storage house. More like a cold frame than a greenhouse, this structure is heated solely by the sun.
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Jerry S.
Reply #16 on : Tue January 06, 2009, 15:00:09
Jerry S.
Reply #15 on : Tue January 06, 2009, 14:54:39
I use the basement stair well as cold frame, covered with plastic, to harden off just before planting. But heating a plastic green house costs to much, I did not know that they do not retain heat enough to stop freezing, in zone 6B
PAllen
Reply #14 on : Tue January 06, 2009, 11:54:02
Claudia - you can go to charleysgreenhouse.com and their homepage will give you examples of greenhouses and cold frames in all sizes. I'm sure you will be able to find something sized exactly as you need it. And there are many other websites out there offering the same type of information. Regards, P. Allen Smith
PAllen
Reply #13 on : Tue January 06, 2009, 11:30:31
Thomas - many of our viewers are not only tried and true gardeners like yourself, but brand new to the gardening scene. We try to explore all aspects of gardening so that everyone can learn and participate. Regards, P. Allen Smith
PAllen
Reply #12 on : Tue January 06, 2009, 10:52:38
Kathy - You should be able to find shade cloth at any home improvement center, garden center or mail order catalog for greenhouses or garden supply. There are also many places offered on the internet from which you can order. Regards, P. Allen Smith
PAllen
Reply #11 on : Mon January 05, 2009, 15:56:45
Molly - Cold frames come in all shapes and sizes. The smallest one I use in my garden is constructed from a piece of concrete reinforcing wire and a frost blanket. This was a very affordable solution and worked well in my garden in the city. You can find more information about this here in my website. Thanks for your comments, P. Allen Smith
PAllen
Reply #10 on : Mon January 05, 2009, 15:48:18
EWN - Even when the sun does not shine, there is solar radiation that comes through and heats although to a lessor degree. Also, the ground inside the frame absorbs the heat during the day and releases it back at night. Depending on the outside temperature this will give you a temperature range where the temperature inside is higher than the outside temperature. In my mid-south garden a few degrees can make the difference between protection and freezing. In colder temperatures and especially in colder climates, you would need an additional heat source to keep the temperature above freezing. Regards, P. Allen Smith
Dolores
Reply #9 on : Mon January 05, 2009, 08:10:46
I'm thinking of using up quite a few old wooden windows that we've saved since replacing with new ones, for a smaller type of "greenhouse". I've got my plans in my head and trying to encourage my husband to help me put one together. Of course, It wouldn't be as large as yours, and the cost would be very little, but kind of cute and practical, set up near our above ground garden. It seems easy to me, but to my husband, not so. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!
EWM
Reply #8 on : Sun January 04, 2009, 18:44:51
What happens when the sun does not shine? What heat is used?
Louise
Reply #7 on : Sun January 04, 2009, 17:10:04
I just attended a 2 day seminar by the University of MN exploring the use of this structure as a high tunnel to help extend the gardening season in MN. They are quite successful if managed properly to extend our Zone 4 season.
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