March Planting and Cold Frames

March Planting and Cold Frames

Have you started planting things yet for your garden this spring? It is coming fast this year and one of the earlier springs we have had recently. Here are a few things you can do before planting time. Check your soil; do you need to amend it with anything? Depending on where you live you may want to have a few cold frames ready just in case your zones still may be experiencing frost. Or even a day of winds. Here is how to build a cold frame.

Cold Frames made Simple

Things you will need:

• Jig saw
• Drill
• Measure
• Pencil
•  Miter saw
• Straight edge
• 2-4 Hinges with screws
• Hook and latch with screws
• Box of screws 2 1/2 “
• Old window frame
•  2x4x8’ rot resistant planks depending on size of window
• 1-2x2x8 used for the corner braces

     Measure the window the long length to give length for front and back plank length. Measure and cut 3 planks to the size of the window. The third plank is for the back side to add height for drainage.

     Next Measure the short side of the window and this will be the length of each side of the cold frame. Cut 2 (1) for each side.

     Cut a 3^rd plank the same size and mark an angle from one corner to the opposite side to make a wedge using your straightedge. This is in order to let the rain run off of the window and give a more direct sunlight pattern on the plants. Each piece will be placed from back to front at a downward slope of the top side piece when screwed together on each side.

     Once that is done cut the corner pieces that will be used for bracing to the corners of the 2 back planks then add the side piece bottom plank first then add the top wedge piece to the top of that. The front corner braces can be measured and cut. And placed in each corner.

     Now that you have your box created you can now add the window to the top. Place the hinges on the top edge of the back side of the box then add the window to the top and screw the second part of the hinge. In the front edge of the window in the middle add the hook and the latch to the middle front part of your box. Your box is now ready to be placed in your garden area. To keep the box from touching the ground, a frame of brick to the bottom edges can be laid . Add your soil and you are ready to plant.

What to grow for your zone.

1-2 zones you being that you are in an area that the frost is not expected to end soon here are a few things you can grow.

•  Asparagus
• Celery
• Chives
•  Endive
• Leeks
• Radishes

Zone 3 – 4 these all can be started inside

• Onions
• Tomatoes
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Brussel Sprouts
• Peppers
• Eggplant

Zone 5- For all the seeds started inside you can plant them in the garden by the end of the month of March or early April.  

• Potatoes 
• Peas
• Lettuce
• Radishes
•  Carrots

Zone 6 Roses, trees and shrubs can safely be planted outside. Plants that were started indoors can be transferred outside.

• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower

Zone 7

•  Carrots
•  Beets
•  Kohlrabi
• Lettuce
• Turnips
• Swiss Chard

Transplant

• Onions
• Shallots
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• White Potatoes
• Collards
• Asparagus
• Chives
• Rosemary
• Thyme

Zone 8

• Spinach
• Turnips
• Mustards
• Beets
• Carrots
• Broccoli

Mid-month you can plant

•  Corn
• Tomatoes
• Squash
• Peppers
• Cucumbers

Zone 9 is basically the same as 8 but you can add

• Asian Greens
• Lettuce
• Parsley
• Cabbage
• Broccoli
• Spinach

Zone 10 All of the above and can be add

• Okra
• Sweet Potatoes
• Melons

     Use those cold frames for indoor plants that have been transferred outside or start seeds recommended for your zone. This will protect them just in case there is a sudden drop in temperatures. I hope this helps you get started on your garden.

     Quote of the day:

“God Almighty first planted a garden. And indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures.” Francis Bacon

     Scripture of the day:

Ps. 119:2 Happy are those who observe his reminders, who search for him with all their heart. 3 They practice no unrighteousness; they walk in his ways.

March Planting

March Planting

      Here we are middle February and it is getting closer to planting a garden outside. Do you know when your last frost date is because that will tell you a great deal when the planting outside should be. The Almanac is the best place to find out when your last frost will be. You can start planting inside for a few vegetables though now.

Indoor Planting

     Here are a list of vegetables that you can start indoors unless you choose to buy plants already growing. This will put you at about the last part of the month of March or so if you are in zone 8 like I am. Our last frost falls on the 8^th of April.

     Cabbage can be started 5 to 7 weeks before the last frost date. Broccoli, Peppers, Celery, Brussel sprouts, Eggplant, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Collards, and Tomatoes Can be started indoors 8 weeks before the last frost.  This gives them a good start. I like to plant plenty of each so I can transplant to a larger container to give them a bit more space to grow bigger and some to share with friends and family. I like to start my cucumbers, squash, and pumpkin seeds about the same time too because I don’t buy them as plants.

     I have started my tomatoes already this month but I want to have plants that are more advanced in growth to make a longer growing period. I will be canning much of them this year. Here are the things you will need to get started.

•      When you plant seeds indoors you need a south facing window, a grow light or a small greenhouse. I have a wire rack shelving that I put all my plants on. I also have a greenhouse. That saves me when it is time to water, because I can water without worrying where the water goes. I don’t need lights either there.
•       LED grow lights.  They run about $22 on Amazon Depending on how many shelves you have one for each shelf. I know this is a bit of a cost but this is a onetime purchase. 
•      Seed started packs and drainage trays, you can use plastic food trays or jugs also to save cost. I love to use the rotisserie chicken containers to use the lid to cover then the plants have a good amount of space to sprout and grow
•        Potting soil mixture with perlite 
•       Seeds 
•       Plastic markers or Popsicle sticks for marking plants 
•       Sharpie markers 
•       Plastic wrap to cover over seeds for warmth at start to encourage germination.
•       Thermal pad for each shelf. They help the seeds to sprout.

     Make sure that once you have planted your seeds you water but do not water too much the soil just needs to stay damp. The seeds will mold.  Mark each tray of seed pack with a marker. Place the seed packs on the trays Place them on the shelf on top of the thermal pad and under the lights. Once the seeds have started germinating remover the plastic wrap. If you do not have a window to grow them in and you use the lights you may want to keep the lights on 24 hours. Don’t forget to water!

Soon you will have a nice size garden ready to be transplanted when the frost warning in your area is up. Happy gardening.

     Quote of the day:

   

  Scripture of the day:

Happy are the pure in heart, since they will see God.​—Matt. 5:8.