Cold Frame where we store roses for the winter that will be sold mail-order in summer (Click the picture for a larger image). A dozen pictures showing the cold frame and the potting shed as they appear every month. Scroll down for additional pictures. Click the picture for a larger image.
decembercoldframebig.jpg, decemberreddoorsmall.jpg
We can open the cold box frequently to check the poison baits
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The cold boxes have hardware cloth underneath and white plastic on top but if there is a way inside mice will discover it. Poison baits we are using this year.
decembercoldboxclosingsmall.jpg,
Closing coldframe after adding poison so rain and snow wont disolve baits and to keep everyone out because we dont want to have a bunch of bodies to dispose of come spring the poison is just insurance.
novembercoldframebig.jpg, novemberreddoorsmall.jpg
octobercoldframesmall.jpg, octoberreddoorsmall.jpg
All the roses on tables are placed in the center aisle of the cold frame and the table-top is opened. Then we pack the plants inside the each cold box. Beyond the red door is where we pot plants sticking finished potted plants through the window out onto a bench (in july, august and september we propagate plants here).
septembercoldframesmall.jpg, septemberreddoorsmall.jpg
augustcoldframesmall.jpg, augustreddoorsmall.jpg
We usually pot plants and stick cuttings inside, then transfer them to another bench just outside through the windows. Our mist propagation bench can be set up outside to root plants and only get put inside October through April.
julycoldframesmall.jpg, julyreddoorsmall.jpg
junecoldframesmall.jpg, junereddoorsmall.jpg
maycoldframesmall.jpg, mayreddoorsmall.jpg
You can see how the foliage on trees is reducing the light the plants get (scroll down and compare with pictures below).
aprilcoldframesmall.jpg, aprilreddoorsmall.jpg
The cold boxes on each side allow me to uncover the hoops in winter so that a heavy snow wont bring down the house. As temperatures get warmer we pull the plants ouut and then use the cold boxes for tables. In summer a bench is set up just outside the windows so plants can be transferred easily through the windows from inside.
marchcoldframesmall.jpg, marchreddoorsmall.jpg
The cold frame allows people to work with the plants even if its raining or snowing by covering the hoops with plastic but by removing it in winter so we dont have to worry about the ribs buckling when there is a heavy snow. Beyond the red door we pot plants, stick cuttings (transferring them out onto benches through the windows) and store hardware in winter.
february2015coldframesmall.jpg, februaryreddoorsmall.jpg
The snow adds an insulating blanket.
januarycoldframebig.jpg, januaryreddoorsmall.jpg
The two boxes, one on each side of the cold frame can be closed up in the winter insulating the small plants from the cold, their pots pushed closely together, mouse baits among them so they dont get eaten. The sides of the boxes can be further insulated by lining up potted lilacs against the out-sides of the boxes.
octoberpreparepotinpotsmall.jpg
februarycobleskillelectronicleafsmall.jpg, februarycobleskillpropagationsmall.jpg
Went down to Cobleskill Ag and Tech to check out the propagation facility. I like to tweek my own propagation set up using ideas we get during these trips.
februarycobleskillhydroponicsmall.jpg, februarycobleskillheatmatssmall.jpg
My potting shed will be gradually repurposed into a greenhouse using pollygal similar to this greenhouse at Cobleskill.
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Greenhouses at S.U.N.Y. Cobleskill. We did not see the mist propagation facilities but plan to try another day. Notice the greenhouse is covered with polygal that we also plan to use on the roof and back of the potting shed someday. I plan to maintain the rustic look on the front of the potting shed but still be able to use the inside as a greenhouse.