From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Central Connecticut

If you use a cold frame to start you pumpkins how early can you start them? Is there a benefit? I am a little confused by the technique. Can seedlings in a cold frame survive cold weather (like a late New England snow)? or is it better to start them indoors in April and move to shelter in May?

10/22/2001 6:19:03 AM

Rexburg, Idaho

Cold frames are a must where I'm from. I put the plants outside in the cold frames on May 10th. I had several days in the low to mid 20's and 2" of snow on June 11th. Cold frames can be as elaborate or as simple as you want. I used a different type this year then last (both can be seen in the diary section) both worked. The one's this year let the plants get larger before they had to be removed. I will use that type again this coming year.

10/22/2001 8:30:37 AM

Central Connecticut

Hey Brian, I checked out your diary...Wow June from Hell. Nice snow picture. I build a 6' x 6' green house over the mound and put the plants in after starting in the house first. I was wondering more about the first few weeks of the plants life, if it is beneficial to put it outside earlier.

10/22/2001 12:29:13 PM

Rexburg, Idaho

Just a normal year in Idaho. I've had frost three years running on 6/19. I germinated inside on 4/23 then put them out 5/10. That's probably plenty early.

10/22/2001 7:45:25 PM

Garden State Pumpkins

Hey Brian, Just checked out your diary on the cold frames. It obviously gives you a three to four week edge on the growing season. What kind of heater is used in the cold frame and do you have to use the "electric root" heaters at the same time. Also I have a smaller growing area and probably could do much more then a 6 by 6 frame.thanks chuck

10/23/2001 12:46:20 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

pelonis is the brand name of the heater i use in my early
season cold frame/greehouse. available at Home Depot's
usually, around $29-39.00 ? the model i got has a thermostat control and a "fan only" setting too which worked out very well at end of season when i was trying to keep a punky stem area dry.
duff

10/23/2001 8:45:46 PM

Topsfield, Ma.

used soil heating cables for the first time this season.
went from 332lbs last season to 614lbs this season !
might have been all in the seed...but with a 2 plant patch
not gonna scrimp on any advantages i can take !?!!

10/23/2001 8:52:44 PM

Rexburg, Idaho

I got my heaters at the local farm supply store 19.95$. I can find them in the fall but by spring they are long gone. They also have an internal thermastat that turns them off when they are warm enough. They worked very well. I'm considering two in each house instead of just one.
I used heating cable last year (not this) they are a pain to place and the plants seem to do well without them.

10/23/2001 11:13:51 PM

Lake Stevens, WA, USA

I use cold frames every year, and I think they work very well for a head start on the season. Last year I got a little carried away and direct started my seeds outside under a cold frame on April 9th. I used a simple clamp-light with an infared bulb shining over/through the coldframe, as a heat source.

I planted way too early doing this, but it did work. It actually worked a little too well as I had to replant a few days later and use a different type of bulb, when I took a temperature reading and discovered a soil temperature of 115 degrees.......it cooked the seeds!!!

I used a regular flood light after that and it worked great.

10/24/2001 2:12:55 PM