A fall and winter coldframe activity making a comeback in many parts of the country is the growing of sweet violets (Viola odoerata). Requiring cool nights and sunny days, violets are well suited to coldframe gardening. The temperature can drop as low as 45° in fall and lower in winter without damage to plant.S or flowers.
The best violet plants for coldframe growing are those from spring divisions cultivated outdoors throughout the summer. Dug in September, the plants are set 10 inches by 10 inches in the cold-frame with crowns exposed. Soil should be at least 7 inches deep, with one-third its bulk decomposed compost, rotted manure, cut-up sod, or well decayed leafmold. Leafmold is best fortified with 4 pounds of shredded cattle manure per bushel. After planting, the soil is watered and light shade provided for two or more weeks—with plenty of air furnished at all times. Plants should flower in November. Later on, flowering will cease and begin again in January or February, when days lengthen and there is more sun.
Extra protection is provided in winter. Some home growers use electric heating cable strung around the inside of the coldframe (not under the soil as violets require a cool root space). Watering is done in the forenoon so that foliage will dry before evening. Ventilation is supplied on clear days.
September Is To Fall – What March Is To Spring
So far as the coldframe is concerned, September is to fall what March is to spring. Each is a busy preparation period—March for germinating plants for later outdoor transplanting, September for starting plants which will mature in the coldframe in late fall or winter. September is also the time to make your glass and putty repairs, for with cold weather on its way, sash will soon be needed.
As for the specific uses for the cold-frame in fall, they are so many and diverse there is never enough space for all that could be done. The growing of sweet violets we’ve considered. Let’s look now at another excellent project—the coldframe vegetable garden.
The vegetable grower can sow seeds of lettuce, endive, radishes, Chinese cabbage and Upland and Curled cress now and enjoy crisp salad material from November to Christmas. However, in northern sections, lettuce may not head and cress may cease producing after October. Immediate sowing, the use of superior seed for rapid germination, thinning lettuce instead of utilizing trans plants, and providing extra night-time protection for the glass in order to save heat—all will help vegetables to mature faster.
Transplanted or thinned lettuce plants should be spaced 6 inches by 6 inches; Chinese cabbage and endive, 9 inches by 9 inches. Soil for all vegetables should be loose and friable but not over-enriched with active fertilizer. Two shovels compost, 3 pounds sheep manure and one pound of superphosphate will suffice for a 6-foot-square area. Application of a liquid concentrate every two weeks will keep growth active. The liquid is particularly effective for new garden transplants to the coldframe.
by P McKenna – 61213
