06/08/2026
Hi everyone, I wanted to share an exciting project I've been working on since last fall!
PLEASE NOTE: My nursery is still open, but over the next few days I'll be working on this project at home. If you'd like anything from the greenhouse, just let me know and I'll head over to the nursery to assist you. Apologies for any inconvenience.
🌱🌱🌱
This is a coldframe; an unheated greenhouse structure used for working with plant material. I built it in November and have since been using it to overwinter potted plants and starting perennial seeds.
Potted plants are much more susceptible to winter damage than plants growing in the ground because their roots aren't insulated by the surrounding soil. A coldframe helps protect roots from extreme conditions and greatly slows the freeze/thaw cycle, allowing the potted plants to go through their natural dormancy cycle while improving their chances of survival.
Many perennial seeds also require exposure to winter conditions before they will germinate. A coldframe allows them to experience those conditions while keeping them protected.
A LOT of the seeds I planted last fall have now started to germinate, so it's time to pot them up and get them growing! This is the start of a decent selection of perennial plants! 😁
I had to build the coldframe at home because it needed occasional watering throughout the winter when conditions became too dry. I couldn't do that at the nursery since I don't have running water there, and my IBC totes would have frozen solid if left full of water. That's why I'll be working from home for the next few days.
Hope you're all doing well!
