Cold Frames Workshop - Growing your food Knee Deep in Snow
Growing your Food Knee Deep in Snow
By Katelyn, Community Garden Volunteer
I learned many things I never thought possible at the ‘Cold Frames & Season Extension Techniques’ workshop hosted by the Green Venture Community Garden on Saturday August 16th. Guest speaker Kyla Z. A. Dixon-Muir asked the participants to imagine growing and keeping plants fresh year round, then told us exactly how to do it with tiny garden and a shoe string budget. As a young gardener the idea seemed almost surreal, but I was eager to learn more.
We know that most food travels very far to reach our table (up to 2500 miles), but with season extension techniques, we can grow more of the food we enjoy close to home.
The workshop talked about extending the season of leafy greens throughout the fall. The process is actually very easy. For existing plants all that’s needed is a close fitting frame and sheet plastic structure to protect plants from frost and eventually heavier snows. This is where you get to be creative and have a little fun with your winter gardening adventure.
Just about everything you need to build a cold frame can be found in your house, at garage sales and in dumpsters. And best of all, for free!
Small structures can be made of a wire frame coated in clear plastic. Wire baskets can often be found in use in your own home. Perhaps the top of a hamster cage is still kicking around somewhere in the basement. Wire shelving and drawers used in furniture (especially from IKEA) is another great option. Heavy grade plastic sheeting can be purchased from most hardware stores or refitted from appliance packaging (oversized bags).
To make the structure, simply wrap the wire frame in the plastic sheet and clip it in place with a strong clamp like a bullfrog clip. According to Dixon-Muir said clothes pins are not strong enough. After that, take some time to stand back and admire your handiwork before driving it into the ground. Your plants will appreciate the care you’ve put into making them a warm sheltered home for the winter.
Building a structure with a sloped roof is will help snow slides off so it doesn’t crush the tender greens. Also poking some small holes in the plastic around the highest point of the slop will allow for air flow, keeping the plants from overheating (yes, the temperature under covered frame can get quite high even in the winter). Frames can also be built out of large wooden structures like dresser drawers or futon frames with a sloping wire roof.
Cold frames are put out into the garden just before the first frost. Plan ahead and make sure your frame is large enough for the plants you plan to grow. At no point should plants should not touch the sides or top of the frame. Melting snow will do most of the watering, so the plants require very little care.
As a novice gardener, I was most surprised to learn that with just a few simple materials and almost no time at all, I could be enjoying a home grown salad in the middle of November. For more information on season extension by Kyla Z. A. Dixon-Muir visit www.riverdalemeadow.ca (click the Cold Frames link) or visit www.cold-frame.com.
With any luck, Green Venture’s Community Garden will be testing a Cold Frame of their own this fall/winter.
Plant varieties that work well with cold frames:
Leafy Greens (lettuce)
Spinach
Green onions
Radishes
Chard
Round or Little Finger Carrots
Endive