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behind it
can be anything from a sunny window to a cold frame to a full-fledged,
heated greenhouse. All can be used to extend your growing season for
vegetables.
Of
course, if you live in south Alabama or north Florida, you can still grow
many vegetables through the winter in your garden. This would include
crops like onions, collards, cabbage, broccoli, carrots and peas. All of
these can stand very cold weather, including some frost.
A
sunny, south-facing window can be an ideal place to grow a few herbs or
leafy greens. For an even better environment, you may want to install a
greenhouse window that extends from the side of the house. This maximizes
the amount of sun the plants get while remaining warm at night and
allowing for convenient access.
Tasty
Treats
Fresh
leafy greens or herbs can be tasty treats during the winter. Herbs in which
the leaves are harvested are best. Those in which you harvest the roots or
flowers are harder to grow under these conditions.
A
cold frame is another low-cost greenhouse environment you may want to
consider. This is an enclosed, unheated space, usually no larger than 1 to 2
feet high. It’s usually covered with plastic or glass and relies on the
sun to warm it during the day
At
night, it may drop back to ambient nighttime temperatures. Large stones or a
container of water can help keep night temperatures up by releasing heat
accumulated during the day.
During
sunny days, these enclosures can get quite hot even in winter, so you may
have to vent them during the sunniest parts of the day.
Venting
Venting
can be done manually or with a passive, solar-powered venting device. These
devices will open a vent when heated and are adjustable to your temperature
requirements.
For
even greater temperature control, these cold frames can be heated. Electric
heating mats will add bottom heat to your plants and seedlings and help
prevent cold injury on the coldest nights.
Finally,
for the Cadillac approach, get a greenhouse. These can be inexpensive wood
or PVC structures covered with plastic. Or they can be glass-enclosed,
sophisticated environments that can even be an extension of your home.
Many
companies manufacture home greenhouses of various designs that can be
free-standing or attached. Sunrooms that extend your living space are really
nothing more than greenhouses. These rooms not only give you space for
growing plants but can extend the heated square feet of your home, adding
considerable value to your investment. |
