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Waterloo, Nebraska

I am new to the big pumpkin thing, so pardon my ignorance please. I am starting my seeds indoors. I know that I will need a cold frame when the plants moves outside. However, I am mechanically impaired and probably would not be sucessful with a hammer and nails. Would it work ok if I took straw bales to make 4 walls and then put glass or heavy plastic across the top? I have lots of straw and could make the area as big as needed. Do you guys think it is dumb, or is it workable?
Thanks,
Jody

3/21/2005 3:46:55 PM

Long Island,New York

It will work....you may want to crack a gap inbetween the bales for air/vent/heat escape during the day and close it up at night

3/21/2005 4:16:23 PM

Montoursville, PA

Way to go Horsejody. That is using what you have. Take some pictures and let us all see your straw sided cold frame.

3/21/2005 5:31:28 PM

Hilpoltstein, Bavaria, Germany

good insulation for sure! Just don't make the side walls too high for enough light...

Martin

3/21/2005 5:44:25 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Actually I tried this....... and it didn't work. I certainly
thought it would, but there wasn't enough light getting in
to really warm things, and while the straw could be
considered a good insulator, it was also a huge "buffer"
which was cool and kept the inside cool. (I guess...)

I also had hoophouses going, right alongside the straw huts.
The hoophouses worked perfectly. So I had a good comparison
going on.

I don't want to burst your bubble, and certainly doing this
would be better than not doing anything, but I just found
that they didn't warm up very much.

You can see all the painful detail in my online diary:

http://idahopumpkin.tripod.com/

See the May 2003 section.

3/21/2005 6:19:31 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Another thought, if you used plastic instead of glass like
I did, and wrapped the plastic around the straw bales so that
they were effectively on the inside of the plastic, then
the bales would warm up and that would probably help. But
then, you're half-way to having a hoophouse built.

I think my dome shaped hoophouses are perfect for the
mechanically impared, not to mention more wind-resistant.

See my 2004 section...

3/21/2005 6:29:58 PM

Walkerton Ont

I use 6 2 x 4 x 8 feet long. I put for together to make a square, then i cut one in half so 4 feet long each, then i measure in the middle at both ends, nail one 4 footer at each end and then add the last 2 x 4 for the top plate to connect the two 4 footers, then cover with plastic. works real well, close the ends up with plast as well but leave ventilation. some didnt even get close up that will and it still help during the day, cause extra heat to plant

3/21/2005 6:47:42 PM

Atlanta, Georgia

I think it's a terrible idea, personally.
The bales will be a perfect home for snails and
mice. I would try something else, personally.

3/22/2005 2:25:31 AM

Walkerton Ont

but i dont use bales lol

3/22/2005 4:40:41 AM

Ohio

Go to walmart and buy one of the big tupperwear containers about 2 feet by 3 feet. Now make yourself a couple windows in it by using a utility knife.Get your self some plastic to cover the windows you cut out attaching the plastic with duct tape. This way you can remove the plastic during the day for airflow.

3/22/2005 8:12:34 AM

Ohio

Make sure you use some kind of stakes to hold the container securely to the ground, because the wind will move this real easy.

3/22/2005 8:15:07 AM

Pocatello ([email protected])

In my area, some sort of greenhouse protection is necessary
until at least mid-June. Usually we have overnight temps in
the 30s for a few nights in early June... so small solutions
are not feasible.

3/22/2005 11:18:15 AM

Waterloo, Nebraska

Ok, I may have to change my plans. How about this? I use straw bales for only 3 sides. The 4th side (the most sunny side) is an old window. The top is plastic or another old window. I will remove the glass/plastic during the day for air circulation. I can wrap the staw bales in large black plastic trash bags so they absorb more heat and keep snails out. I do not have to worry about rodents because it will be close enough to the hay barn where many cats live. We have rodents on the property, but not close to that barn. My cats are also kind enough to patrol the garden and remove the snakes (I thank God for such favors). A hoop house would be nice, but we have some pretty awful windstorms in the spring out here. It would probably end up in Oz. I probably would fail miserably building one anyway. My husband is very handy and could probably build something perfect, but this is MY pumpkin, NOT HIS. This is MINE! MINE! MINE! MINE! Last year I grew one pumpkin plant. It was supposed to yield 10-20 pound pumpkins. It was my first pumpkin plant. It took over the garden (his garden). I had pumpkins that were over 50 pounds. I had between 450-500 pounds of pumpkins from one plant! All I did was water it and let it go wild. I was hooked. I decided to try to grow a giant pumpkin. My husband and everybody else thinks I am crazy. Maybe I am, but that is beside the point. HE THINKS I CAN'T DO IT! I will grow a giant pumpkin!
Jody

3/22/2005 12:30:18 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Jody,

Wow, I'm motivated to help you!

I had mice living in under my bales but they didn't hurt
anything. No snails in the desert. They're extinct here.

I also have terrible windstorms. And,.. I usually have to
rebuild at least once. But the bale idea is pretty solid
against the wind.

Very good idea to open the south side to the sun. This will
help them warm up. If you use plastic, perhaps you can
pound a couple of rebar into the soil, then put those plastic
caps over the rebar, then as the plastic sits on that it
would work like a tent pole... and give you a little more
space.

Yes, opening up the south side might give you another 10 to
20 degrees... interesting idea!

Good luck!

3/22/2005 12:44:50 PM

Pocatello ([email protected])

Wow, rebar with plastic caps........ as tent poles....
might be just the ticket to fortify my dome-shaped hoophouses!

Cool!

3/22/2005 12:48:30 PM

Taber, Alberta

Go Jody Go!!!
I also get good windstorms in the spring, but I am trying the hoophouse this year. We'll see how I do.
Good Luck,
Alan

3/22/2005 12:52:00 PM