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Cold frames

amberspyamberspy Posts: 382
in Tools and techniques
Can someone tell me about cold frames as don’t know much about them 
am I right I put seedlings in them instead of windowsills 🤔
I’m embarrassed to say I’m a bit of neat freak and don’t like mess and pots etc on windowsills so thou this maybe be ideal 
but I’m not sure 
would be something small like this 

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're  a half way house [literally] between inside, or outdoors completely.
    Not as warm as a house, but give basic protection for small plants, especially for growing on.
    Depends on the seedlings too - many will find it too cold.
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • amberspyamberspy Posts: 382
    @Fairygirl so not ideal then 
    it’s for herbs maybe cauliflower and some other veg seedlings 
    is there anything else I could get to protect them outside 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    What herbs? Some of them might be fine. It'll just give them a bit of shelter from any extremes of temperature,and excess wet conditions. That's really the main use for them.
    I don't grow things like cauliflower, but generally, salad crops would be fine.  :)
    If you sow a bit later, it'll be fine for lots of things, but anything that's been grown in a more cossetted environment needs a wee bit of care, even when putting out in a cold frame at this time of year. It's always just a balance, and using a bit of judgement.  :)

    You can always add some fleece for extra protection overnight, and remove it in the mornings. The temps should steady up a bit soon though, so anything you have in there already might be fine - it may just check them a little  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • amberspyamberspy Posts: 382
    @Fairygirl yeah that could work sowing about this time etc and use fleece at nite 
    herbs mainly  be basil mint coriander chives parsley 
    I suppose it just matter of trying 
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