A salad bar in your backyard in January? Yes please!
Our garden zones have changed and we have all shifted a little bit due to our warming climate. I was straddling zone 6b and 7a for years and now my garden straddles 7a and 7b. This means my last frost date in the spring is earlier and my last frost date is a few weeks later than it used to be. In addition, our weathers are milder with few days that fall below freezing (32 degrees fahrenheit or 0 degrees celsius)
First, gather your materials (some are optional) To build a basic 4’x4’x12″ cold frame, you will need…
2 pieces of 2″x 4″ by 8 feet, cut in half (you can ask the lumber store to make your cuts for you or use a chop saw if you own one
2 pieces of 5/8″ x 2″ by 8 feet, also cut in half
4 extra pieces of 2″x4″ cut to 12″ long (you can use smaller pieces of lumber. I have used 2″x2″ by 12″ for this project
1 draw pull (optional)
Step 1: Using your power drill, attach the four pieces of 2″x4″ to create a square (the same size as the raised bed you are covering) and use 2 wood screws (2 1/2) in each corner
Step 2: Using the same 2 1/2 wood screws, attach your vertical 12″ pieces to the frame. I recommend 2 screws per corner to make sure it is secure. Then attach the top pieces of the frame. Using the 1 5/8 wood screws, attach the upper level of the frame to the vertical pieces.
Step 3: Use your electric staple gun to attach the plastic snuggly to the frame. Cut off any excess plastic and roll the edges for a tight, tidy fit
Step 4: Move your new cold frame into place and attach the hinges to the back of the frame and the back of the raised bed. Also, attach the drawer pull to make lifting the frame easier
Now your cold frame is complete! Use an extra piece of lumber to prop your frame open on cold days. I also HIGHLY recommend using a simple outdoor thermometer to track the temp inside your cold frame. On unseasonably warm days, it can get too hot in there so propping it during the day and closing it at night is the correct strategy.
Now, go make one of these and when you are having fresh salad in February, you will thank me!