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Greenhouses, Hot Houses, and Cold Frames Custom Search Greenhouses, hot houses, and cold frames are just three options in determining the type of equipment for starting your early or year-round planting. The gardener must consider the temperature and other local climatic conditions of his locality, as well as the nature of the plants to be started as well as how elaborate a system you want. Hardy plants such as cabbage need only simple inexpensive facilities, but such heat loving warm weather and tender seedlings as pepper and eggplant will need more elaborate facilities for successful growth. Although in warmer parts of the United States, a cold frame or a sash-covered pit on the sunny side of a building is usually enough, in colder sections or exposed areas elsewhere, some form of artificial heat will be essential. Hot beds heated by manure, pipes, flues, or electricity are all widely available, the choice depending on conditions. The plant growing structure should always be on well drained land free from the danger of flooding. A sunny, southern exposure on a gentle slope, with trees and hedges, a wooden fence or other form of windbreak, on the north and west sides, makes a desirable site.
Covers for hot beds and cold frames need to be able to be opened and may be built of glass, fiberglass, plastic film, muslin, or light canvas. A plywood frame built to match the size of window sash or an old storm window is a perfect solution. If possible hinge one end and leave enough room around the frame it so that the lid can be lowered or raised. Most evenings, until the temperature reaches about 45 degrees, the lid will have to be lowered at night to conserve the heat in the frame and raised during the day to prevent the plants from baking. There are times of the year when you will require supplementary covering such as canvas, blankets, mats, or similar material during freezing weather; the amount of covering is determined by the degree of heat supplied to the structure, the severity of the weather and the kind of plants and their stage of development.
A miniature greenhouse can be constructed using the galvanized pipe or PVC piping and a double layer of plastic film to create a highly satisfactory portable cold frame. Another option is electrically heated hot beds which are equipped with thermostat controls and require a minimum of attention. It is now possible to buy hot beds completely equipped with heat cables, switches, and thermostats-ready to assemble and place in position.
To view a map showing the gardening zones in North America, click here
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