Why connect expensive power sources when the cold frame can be heated naturally? With an electricity-free natural heater, you create a pleasant microclimate in the cold frame when it is still much too cold in the garden for planting. This guide explains how to do it.

If you heat your cold frame, you can harvest very early in the year

The starting shot will be fired in autumn - tips for preparation

Since the currentless cold frame heating is associated with digging work, the preparations should be made in the autumn. Thanks to this care, you are spared exhausting shoveling in the frozen ground during the spring. How to do it right:

  • Dig a pit 50 cm deep in a sunny spot
  • Mix one third of the excavation with compost and keep until spring
  • Cover the bottom of the pit with vole wire
  • Spread a layer of leaves and straw 5 to 10 cm thick on top

Place the self-made or purchased cold frame over the pit until spring or cover the deep hole with sturdy wooden planks.

This is how the cold frame gets its natural heating - instructions for the filling

When the light conditions improve in February, the first seeds can be sown in the cold frame. To generate the required germination temperature of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius, fill the prepared pit as follows:

  • Fill the layer of leaves and straw with fresh horse or cow manure up to a height of 20 cm
  • Too dry manure spray with nettle manure
  • Mix too wet manure with leaves and straw
  • Shovel the mixture of soil and compost over the manure in a 20 cm thick layer

Close the cold frame and let busy microorganisms do the work. Within 8 to 10 days, the decomposition process releases a natural heat that benefits seeds, seedlings and young plants. This heater serves its purpose for a period of one year. Therefore, refresh the filling every spring to naturally heat up your plants in the cold frame from February.

tips

If spring comes with a bit of frost, the heat output of natural heating is sometimes not sufficient. If your cold frame is made of fireproof double-walled panels, simply place a flickering grave light or tea light inside as an additional heat source.

Category:

Garden design