Cold Frame Vegetable Growing
Answered by: Ginny
Question from: Robert
Posted on: October 23, 2012

I would like to know what veg seeds that I can grow through the winter in a cold frame. I am in Belle River, Ontario.



Being in zone 6, Belle River could be an excellent locale to try cold framing vegetables. It is trickier to start them in the Autumn for Winter growing. More often, the cold frame is utilized in late Winter/early Spring to gain a month or more head start on the Summer’s crop. Nevertheless, you can now try sowing ‘Bloomsdale’ Spinach, which is a traditional crop for cold frame growing. If the cold frame is in a sunny site, it should generate enough heat (10 degrees Celsius/ 50 degrees Fahrenheit) to germinate the seeds. Greater success could have been attained by starting this process earlier in the Autumn, but it is still worth trying. Seeds should be sown in heavily composted soil mixture. The compost will help retain the heat of the soil. Keep the soil medium moist until germination. Be sure to regulate the temperature within the cold frame by lifting the lid when it becomes too hot from the sun. The lid should be closed in the evenings, to retain the heat. Other vegetables that may prove successful to start now are the ‘Fordhook Giant’ Swiss Chard, Arugula, and Red Russian Kale. In late Winter/ early Spring, you can directly sow beets, radish, beets, cabbage and broccoli. All these vegetables mentioned are considered cold crops and should fare well for you. Good luck with your cold frame.



Back to Growing Herbs | Q & A Index

Copyright © 1997-2024 Otto Richter and Sons Limited. All rights reserved.