Hello Fellow Gardener’s

This time of year, winter just seems to be soooo darn long! It just seems like it will never end! The seed catalogs have been paged through (several times), plants have been ordered, and my long list of garden books to read during the winter have all been read. What is there to do now? Well, I have a suggestion! Why not try building a cold frame!?

Why Would I Want a Cold Frame?

Cold frames are making a big comeback because they extend your Spring and Winter growing seasons!

You can plant your perennial seeds in the fall in a cold frame, and they will mature earlier and healthier than those grown in the house! Annuals do especially well and so do root vegetables and herbs!

One of the best reasons is that cold frames are not very expensive when you build them yourself, and almost anyone can build one! You can even recycle materials such as an old window, shower doors, and more!

I want a Cold Frame…Now What!

Step 1: Choose a location!

The first thing you should think about is where you are going to place your cold frame.

It should be facing south for maximum sun exposure but still close enough to your house for convenience!

It is preferable if the back of the cold frame is placed right up against a structure such as your house or garage. This will help guard it against the elements such as wind and cold. You have to keep those veggies nice and toasty!

Step 2: Choose the materials!

If you want your cold frame to last a while try building it out of cedar or cypress, these woods naturally repel water. Make sure to use an organic wood, one that is not treated with pesticides! Also use galvanized or brass nails to avoid rusting.

Drainage is very important! Make sure to place a thick layer of gravel at the bottom of your cold frame. Don’t like gravel? Another solution is to place your cold frame on top of a sloped mound of soil. Simply press the cold frame downwards to ensure a tight seal, and voila! See illustration below…

Step 3: Choose the size!

Preferably your cold frame should not exceed 3 to 4 feet from front to back, this allows easy access to your vegetables and plants!

The length can be any size you choose! Just remember you should place it against a building, so consider how much space you have to work with.

Now that you have the basics, stay tuned for more information on cold frames including where to get free plans!

Check out this great how-to guide we found on the Virginia Tech website titled Cold Frames and Hot Beds!

Also check out this cute homemade video from garden fork tv (shot in New England!), that shows a cold frame being constructed from start to finish! It’s full of good tips!

Happy Gardening,

Marie Suzanne

Hello Fellow Gardener’s,

Thinking about what to do in case of natural disasters or other catastrophes may not be the most cheerful subject, however, having a plan can help save lives. Luckily, that is exactly what the Global Crop Diversity Trust has established! A seed bank in Svalbard in the Arctic Circle will be opening tomorrow.

The almost 9 million dollar vault (courtesy of Norway) rises above world strife by incorporating seeds from all over the globe! The vault has the ability to store “4.5 million batches of seeds from all known varieties of the planet’s main food crops, making it possible to re-establish plants if they disappear from their natural environment or are obliterated by major disasters.”* Every precaution was taken with the doomsday vault. It was built to withstand nuclear missile attacks, and high enough so that even if the glaciers all melted it would still be above water! However, don’t expect to see armed guards freezing their tootsies off at the doorway, nope, the regions polar bears will be guarding the facility!

We covered the Svalbard Arctic Seed Bank when it first commenced construction last January, check that out here.

For more information…

To read a press release from the Global Crop Diversity Trust click here.

To read Yahoo Green’s news coverage click here!

Finally, to see two short videos on the seed vault click here and here!

* Quote courtesy of “Biodiversity ‘doomsday vault’ comes to life in Arctic” by Pierre-Henry Deshayes.

Happy Gardening,

Marie Suzanne

Hello Fellow Gardeners,

Browsing the Internet the other day, I came across this wonderful and very informative article from www.iloveplants.com, the Gardner’s Guide to the Internet. It imparts a lot of great advice to consider when ordering plants through the mail. Check it out…

Mail-Order Tips
and
Care of Plants Received in the Mail

A favorite pastime in the midst of winter is to delve into the seed catalogs as they arrive in the mailbox. It is where the spring garden begins with endless dreams of colorful flowers and edible delights. Some gardeners order plants and seeds through the mail because of the convenience, but many do so because they can find a larger variety of plants and seeds that are not available in local nurseries. Today the Internet plays an important role in a gardener’s ability to locate and purchase from a larger variety of plants available. If you are new to mail-order gardening here are a few tips to get your garden off to a good start.

CHECK OUT A COMPANY BEFORE ORDERING

Look for companies that offer a customer service telephone number or e-mail address. It’s important for a company to respond to your telephone call or e-mail to answer questions, resolve problems or handle returns.

*See if the company offers a guarantee policy and understand its requirements.

*Always check for telephone number or e-mail address. If a company doesn’t provide one you may want to be cautious about ordering from them.

* Check out a mail-order company by reading reviews left by other gardeners who have placed orders with them previously. To read a review go to any website on iloveplants.com and click on the “Review My Site” button located in the right-hand corner, and all reviews will be displayed.

*Understand a company’s shipping time so that you can place your order and receive your plants at a time when you will be able to plant them outdoors.

* To see how responsive a company is to customers, send them an e-mail inquiry about their products prior to placing an order.

READ THE CATALOG OR ORDER PAGE ON THEIR WEBSITE

* Read the information on how to place your order in the catalog or on their website.

* See when their shipping time period is. Many will not ship plants during cold weather.

* Check to see if you have their most recent catalog with current pricing information. If you don’t then verify current prices on their website.

* Look for good plant descriptions so that you will know what you are ordering.

KNOW YOUR PLANTS

* Do your homework prior to placing your order. Know the requirements (i.e. shade, sun, water-thirsty, drought tolerant, etc.) for the plants you are ordering, your garden zone, and which plants are suitable for your location. If you are unsure, contact your local extension service for help. You can locate an e-mail address or telephone number for your extension agent in our Regional Gardening Directory.

* For short-season vegetable gardens select earlier varieties.

PLACE YOUR ORDER - TELEPHONE, FAX , MAIL OR INTERNET

* To receive orders the quickest, phone, fax or order via their website on the Internet.

* Make sure the company offers secure credit card ordering over the Internet.

* Carefully complete all information requested on the catalog or online order form.

* Indicate whether you will accept “substitute” plants if your selections are not available.

* If you are unsure of a company, place a small order first to test their quality and service.
FOLLOW UP & KEEP RECORDS

* Notify a company immediately of a problem with your order, defective plants or problems.

* Keep a journal of your purchases, the company you purchased them from, the service and the end result so that you will know who to purchase from in the future.

* Share your experience (positive or negative) with other gardeners by reviewing the company’s website on www.iloveplants.com.

WHAT TO DO WITH PLANTS WHEN THEY ARRIVE IN THE MAIL

* Remove any plastic that may be on plants to allow for air circulation.

* Read all information that comes with the plants for advice, and follow instructions for the maximum results.

* Plant your order as quickly as possible. If the weather does not permit, you may want to repot the plants to prevent them from drying out too quickly. Provide the proper light requirements and water necessary for them to thrive. Dormant bare rootstock should be kept in its protective wrapping. Add moisture when needed and keep them out of direct sun. Soak their roots in a bucket of water for a couple of hours prior to planting.

* Keep seeds in a cool and dry location until you are ready to plant them.

* Remove bulbs, rhizomes, tubers and corms from their packaging and spread them in a single layer. Keep them in a cool, dry location.

* Check with your local extension service to see when it is safe to plant your new plants outdoors. Locate an email address or telephone number for your extension agent in our Regional Gardening Directory.

* Contact the company about any problems you may have experienced, such as delivery of wrong plants, defective or dead plants.

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My mailbox is just starting to fill up with catalogs featuring the plants of 2008! I will be utilizing many of the tips mentioned here when considering where and what to order!

www.iloveplants.com, Gardner’s Guide to the Internet is just loaded with great information! To check out the website click here. Enjoy!

Happy Gardening,

Marie Suzanne