What to grow in your cold frame this summer

Cold frames are a great addition to any garden and offer a wide range of benefits. Gabriel Ash offers a selection of cold frames to suit your requirements, from baby cold frames for those with limited garden space to grand upright cold frames for those that require a little extra space to grow a selection of plants.

A cold frame is the perfect choice for those wishing to grow a selection of plants during summer. It can be used for early planting of summer annuals and seeds and is ideal for those wishing to experiment with different plants and enhance their gardening skills.

Cold frames can not only be used to grow a variety of attractive plants for summer but also a selection of vegetables. You can select a wide variety of plants to grow in your cold frame, from marigolds and herbs to warm season vegetables, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes and, with extra care, fruit such as melons. You can also use cold frames to force bulbs to bloom early.

To get the most out of your cold frame in summer, you will need to make sure that it is placed in an area within your garden where there is plenty of sunlight (southern or southeastern positions are recommended). During summer, your cold frame will need to be ventilated to prevent your plants, particularly young seedlings, from becoming damaged by too much heat. One of the main advantages of a cold frame is that it comes with a lid, which you can easily open up to care for your plants and prop open during summer to provide them with ventilation.

Keeping your cold frame ventilated will help to reduce the risk of plant diseases. During summer, you will need to check your plants for moisture, particularly if they are young. Cold frames help to trap moisture, which means that you may not need to water your plants as much. Check for moisture every day and make sure that your plants do not dry out in the warmer weather.

Although a cold frame will need to be positioned in an area that provides plenty of sunlight, your summer plants will still need some shade. Protect your summer plants or summer vegetable garden from extreme heat by using coverings such as shade covers or lath.

Temperatures can drop slightly on summer evenings, so you may want to close the lid of your cold frame to keep your plants protected at night. Once daylight returns, prop the lid back open or remove it completely to keep your plants well ventilated throughout the day.

Adding a cold frame to your garden enables you to enjoy your gardening hobby whenever you wish and grow a selection of plants that you would not normally be able to grow in your area. There are many types of cold frames available, so you can easily find a structure that enables you to grow a selection of plants and vegetables during summer. Cedar cold frames are a particularly ideal choice, as the wood is not only naturally rot resistant but also attractive.

Author:

Alan Jackson

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