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Heating a cold frame in winter to start seeds
nickjr44
Posts: 1
I have made a wooden cold frame with polycarbonate sheet windows on the top. I'm wanting to start my seeds in this then plant them out at the right time. To keep a temperature at about 18c has anyone used a tubular heater electric before? I. Just intending to use this in the winter. My box is 1.2m x 600 mm wide and raised off the ground on a stand.
Last edited: 06 February 2017 21:29:06
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Posts
A cold frame isn't meant to be heated. It's for hardening off, starting hardy annuals, or giving a bit of protection from bad weather to cuttings etc.
I think any heat added to such a small space would be counter productive. It would get very hot, then you'll be opening it through the day - big fluctuation in temps. Not good at this time of year.
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
Since we still have quite short days, the amount of light exposure a day isn't great. If you wait for a few weeks to sow seeds then they will soon catch up seeds sown now due to the increased light levels.
It's not the middle of Feb yet. You'll need a collection of heated cold frames to move stuff into once the pricking out stage comes. Plus the light considerations. And if you do a search of the forum you'll find loads of 'What do I do now?' questions from people with leggy plants, nowwhere to put them and still 6 weeks to go before they can be safely planted out
In the sticks near Peterborough
That's what I was concerned about nut. It seems like a good idea, but it's only fine until everything starts growing!
I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
I wouldn't bother to heat a cold frame. You don't say what you plan to grow, but seeds needing 18c makes me think they're half-hardy. These would do better started on a warm windowsill or an indoor propagator.
Hardy seeds like sweet peas would be OK in the cold frame.
I'd wait until March, it's (hopefully) warmer and lighter. You can easily find yourself overrun with early sowed seedlings which are too small to survive planting out in the garden.
Glad to see there are still a few of us who use 'Natures Own' to rear our seeds.
Hiya Lyn,
Lovely to see you. You've been missed. x
I'm still here, ?