Easy Backyard Coldframe HoopHouse

I wanted to get a head start on my gardening season and thought a coldframe would do the trick. Much to my surprise there were quite a few tutorials of different styles out in the internet world. This one seemed to be the easiest and least expensive. Total cost under $20.

I am putting this coldframe/hoophouse over my exsisting 4 by 8 raised bed.
For this size you will need:

5 - 1/2 " - 10' pvc pipes--cut to 6' length by clerk
1 pack of 10 - 1/2" brackets
Clear 3mm clear plastic to cover frame
Drill with 1/8" bit
Wood screws- 1"
Clamps to hold plastic onto ribs

Start with 1/2 "  brackets. Mark where you want the brackets to sit on your frame. I just eyeballed it around 2" from top of wood. Drill on the mark and then screw brackets in place. Don't completely tighten until the pvc pipe is in place. I started at the end and measured about 1 1/2' between brackets  for my 8' length. Do this for all 10 brackets. 

Once you have the brackets in place you can attach pvc pipe one end at a time. Pull plastic over the ribs and cut off excess if you like. I did not because I will use it for other projects. I use clamps to hold plastic on so it is easy to open . When finished it kinda looks like a covered wagon.

You could make a 4 by 8 frame for the frame (if that makes sense) to put directly over the ground where you have your garden. Just use some 2 by 4's to make the frame.

This is a temporary fix to jump start on my cold weather crops...I have been using it for the last 2 weeks and it is doing very well. I am making a taller one for my tomato and pepper raised bed too.

When the weather permits, just take off the plastic and pull out the piping. Much easier to store than a hard construction coldframe.

Happy Gardening!

Starting Seeds Inside

I was watching a guy on YouTube starting seeds indoors with a regular heating pad for germination.
Well, the problem with the heating pad is that water and electric really don't mix so you would have to be really careful with that setup. So I was taking down some christmas rope lights and felt the warmth they were giving out and thought they might work.

I set them up in a flat coil shape and let them heat up a bit just to see what kind of warmth they would put out.  It felt like enough to do the task so I planted my starter tray with seedling soil (1 part compost, 1 part vermiculite, 1 part peat moss) seeds and watered . Placed the tray on top of the coil and waited. Around the 5th day I started to see some of the pepper seedlings come up.

This picture was taken around the 10th day. Really pleased with the results and I don't have to worry about spilling water because they are indoor, outdoor lights.

I dug through my garden closet and came up with a grow light that I bought at the local garden department some time ago. I didn't have much success with it last season without the heat underneath the seedlings so I am giving it another go with this new setup. So far so good.

If you start seeds indoors and are looking for an inexpensive way to heat for germination, you may want to try rope lights. The one I am using is clear but I don't believe the color would make any difference.

Happy Gardening!

Planting Jerusalem Artichokes

Jerusalem artichokes, or Sunchokes, are new to me. I was just introduced to them recently and really like the flavor and texture. It is very similar to a water chestnut and can be cooked like a potato or eaten raw. The benefit to this tuber is that it does not contain or turn to starch. So I decided to try to buy some and discovered that they are hard to find. Solution....grow my own.

I finally found them at a local natural foods store which is very similar to Trader Joe's. The chokes were organic and not treated so I bought a few extra to plant. Like a potato, they sprout eyes so I found a few that were growing.

After some web searching, I found that they are even easier to grow then potatoes. They will grow in most soil and light conditions but do best in full sun. They grow very tall and flower very much like a sunflower. For more tubers you should clip the blooms off. They can be invasive and should be planted in their own corner of the garden or a container. Harvest in the late fall and through early winter before the ground freezes. Leave some in the ground for next years crop. Storage is short and should be kept moist but not soggy.

I have limited garden space, so I have chosen to plant them in an old recycle bin. It is the perfect size and already has drainage holes. My soil is a mix of one part compost, one part peat moss and one part vermiculite and perlite mixed. I am planting six tubers evenly spaced in this container with four inches of soil mix on the bottom and four or five inches of soil mix to cover them. I may add more soil once they start growing. Water and place in a sunny location. Can't wait to see the results.

Hopefully you can try this "new to me" tuber too.
Happy Gardening!

Winter Sown Seeds Update

The results were a bit underwhelming to say the least, but still had a few starts for the garden as you can see.

Out of the six containers that I had sown only two gave me starts of lettuce and spinach. I believe it was due to the insufficient drainage holes that I had put in the container. The starter cells all seemed to be water logged when I opened them. I kept the tops off for a few days to dry them out and that seemed to help a bit.

I also started some leafy greens in a mini greenhouse container and they seem to be coming along very well.. You can buy them at your local garden supply department. I will transplant them in a week for some early crops.

Regardless of the disappointing results, I will be trying this procedure again next winter but with more drainage.

Happy Gardening!

Indoor Vegetable Garden Update

Just a quick update on my lettuce, spinach, and red peppers. As you can see by the photos everything seems to be growing well. I have already picked two red peppers and have another one that will be ready in a few days. The  blossom didn't make it and I think that is because of the lack of nutrients in the soil even though I am watering with compost tea.

I will be able to harvest the lettuce leaves in a few days or a week. The spinach needs some more time.

Happy Gardening

Winter Sown Seeds

I recently read a blog about sowing cool weather crop seeds over the winter. From what I read it didn't seem too difficult and resembles a cold frame or mini greenhouse. I would love to have fresh greens waiting to be harvested when the snow melts. Quite intrigued , so I decided to give it a try.

First you need some plastic containers with lids. I am using the containers that my spring mix came in. They are a nice size and have a lid. I also had some starter cells and thought I would use them so transplanting in the spring would be a bit easier. 

You need to cut holes in the bottom of your container for drainage and the top for air circulation. According to the article I read, next spring when the days get warmer, you will need to make these holes larger so your crops don't get too hot. Mark the container with the name of the crop you are growing in it. Easier to do now then when it is full. I marked mine on the top and bottom just in case the weather makes in unable to read next spring.

Fill your containers about half way with good soil and then water.  Make sure your container drains well, otherwise your seeds will rot. Sow your seeds according to the manufacturer. Secure the lid and put outside where you would grow that particular crop. I placed mine in my raised bed where I grow my leafy greens.

There you have it. Hopefully, I will be harvesting leafy greens early next spring. Will post an update then.
For more info and free seeds go to http://www.wintersown.org/

My Compost Tea

What is my compost tea? 

It is just a shovel full of compost (homemade or store bought) placed in a 5 gal bucket filled with water. Stir it so the compost is distributed through the water. You can let it sit for as long or as little as you want before using. I let mine "steep" for at least 2 hours and as long as a week before using on my plants. Nothing fancy but it does the trick.

I used this solution about once a week on my outdoor plants during the growing season and currently on my indoor plants. It is a great way to naturally feed your plants, especially the ones that have been sitting in the same container soil for more than a few months.

Just use it they way you would use water for watering your garden or potted plants.
Happy Gardening