Raised Beds and Cold Frames

Here in New Hampshire the weather is still very unpredictable everyday. One day it could be in the 90's the next day in the 50's.  So using a Cold Frame is the perfect solution to being able to start your garden and keep it safe from frost.

COLD FRAME: n.  An unheated outdoor structure consisting of a wooden or concrete frame and a top of glass or clear plastic, used for protecting and acclimatizing seedlings and plants.

Just like finding supplies to make your raised bed you could spend tons of money to create your cold frame.  But let me help you out with that.  You can install your cold frame right over your raised beds.

I just used a couple of scrap pieces of lumber that we had laying around to make and simple "A" frame shape, you can choose to either put in the center support or leave it out. You then attach the bottom of the "A" to your raised bed.  At this point you can go ahead and plant your veggies/flowers/herbs.  Make sure to water them well. If you are going to place a irrigation system into your bed you would also place that now.

Once the beds are set up the way that you like you now attach the plastic. Make sure that you get pieces that are wider and longer than your bed. Place the center of the plastic at the tops of the "A" frames and drape over both sides, like a tent.  We then stapled the plastic to the frame of the raised bed and then up each of the "A" frame, leaving the ends open at this point.

Now that you have everything attached except the ends you have a decision to make, how to close the ends. I opted to use duct tape and folded the plastic like the ends of a present. This way if it is a really hot day I can open up the ends so that the plants won't burn.