"Janet Baraclough.." wrote in message
...
The message
from "Doug Kanter" contains these words:




"Janet Baraclough.." wrote in
message
...
The message
from "Gary and Karen Manning" contains these
words:

I am considering building a cold frame. My question is: how do I
keep
the
plants from cooking on worm sunny days? I don't want to stay home
because
the sun may come out.

Don't stand it in the sun, at least, not in summer. Also, prop the
roof open, or take it off and put a shade net over instead.

It's a cold frame, not a shopping cart. No wheels. The right place for
February through April (when it's likely to be needed most) is probably
where it's going to stay for the whole season. Early in the season, it
could
be below freezing when he leaves for work, and over 90 degrees by mid
morning, even if it's only in the 30s outside the frame. He's looking
for an
automatic solution, my dear.

Doug sweetie, there's no need to get on top of me to reply.

I have three coldframes, and none of them has wheels, but moving them
is easy. In summer, I position them out of direct/mid-day sun and use
them for rooting summer cuttings. Two weeks ago, I moved the frames to
their winter position where they'll catch any winter sun that appears,
but are out of the wind. The propagated plants in pots will stay safely
protected from winter cold and gales (we don't get heavy freezes here)
without getting drawn and leggy. In spring, the cold frames will be in
good light for sowing spring seedlings.

Janet (Isle of Arran, Scotland).

First of all, you're a funny lady. :-)

Now, darling, my apologies for being severe. My cold frame was patterned
after the picnic tables we find in New York State parks. They're made with
the assumption that a family of large bears will try and steal them in the
dead of night. (Actually, teenagers try that stunt). Anyway...mine is as
easily moved as a well made sofa.