First Steps, First Seedlings.

Our first step was to build some cold frames. The idea with the cold frames is not to extend the growing season (as is the case with some greenhouses) but rather to give cold-hardy plants a semi-sheltered environment that protects them from the harshest temperatures and prevents the cold from killing them off, which will hopefully allow us to extend the harvesting season, with fresh greens all winter long. So, on Labor Day we built six cold frames, each made out of 3/4" plywood screwed together into a box and topped with lids made from old double-paned windows that Sadrah's dad brought home from work.

We started digging out 6 plots on the hill just above the pool and amended the soil by adding some organic compost and peat moss. Thankfully Sadrah completed all the digging, soil preparation, and planting after I left for Philadelphia and the three-week Giving Chase tour in Europe.

So far most of the plants are thriving even though we got them in the ground a few weeks late. The spot receives limited sun, usually only a few hours a day even on the sunniest days, but the frames have them well protected from the cold. I can't say the same for the slugs, who manage to slither through small gaps between the frames and lights. They've devoured our Asian greens and taken bites out of few other plants. They almost took out our radishes, but with a few preventative methods we managed to keep them at bay. Slugs are nothing but a bunch of lushes so we've been filling up-turned bottle lids with beer to drown the slimy little things a few times a week.  We've also covered some soil with coffee grounds and/or crushed egg shells to slow their slithering and spread ash around the outside edges of the frames. All together these methods seem to be helping, although I'm fairly certain we've lost the Asian greens for good.