Cold Frames.  A cold frame is a transparent-roofed enclosure, built low to the ground, used to protect plants from cold weather. The transparent top admits sunlight and prevents heat escape via convection that would otherwise occur, particularly at night. Essentially, a cold frame functions as a miniature greenhouse season extension device. 

Cold frames create microclimates that provide several degrees of air and soil temperature insulation, and shelter from wind. In cold-winter regions, these characteristics allow plants to be started earlier in the spring, and to survive longer into the fall and winter. They are most often used for growing seedlings that are later transplanted into open ground, and can also be a permanent home to cold-hardy vegetables grown for autumn and winter harvest. 

Cold frame construction is a common home project, although kits and commercial systems are available. A traditional plan makes use of old glass windows: a wooden frame is built, about one to two feet tall, and the window placed on top. The roof is often sloped towards the winter sun to capture more light, and to improve runoff of water, and hinged for easy access. Clear plastic, rigid or sheeting, can be used in place of glass. 

(Thanks, Wikipedia.)

Ruby Garden has about ten cold frames available for plotholders to use, and we also are happy to show you how to make your own.  Please contact us if you are interested in having a cold frame.  For those interested in making your own, here are some good plans.


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As many of you might know, Patricia, our Master Gardener, is leaving us to return to her native Switzerland temporarily.  Patricia has been the eyes, ears, hands and brain of Ruby Garden, from the earliest planning of the garden, to its execution, to the layout and building and maintenance.  But more than anything, she has given the garden so much life not only by maintaining her plots for the Waldorf School children, but also planting and maintaining the center circle and the borders with fruits and vegetables and bee-attracting flowers.  She has counseled many a gardener about how to tie tomatoes, identify random vegetables, make their own compost.  Her sabbatical will be a loss to us, but the Leadership Committee is pitching in to attempt to fill her roles (it will take all of us and you).

Here is a list of things you should know, that Patricia took care of:

• But first, a clarification: the center circle garden and the borders are for the use of plotholders only.  They are not for the use of outside community members or anyone else.  We think a different message might have been conveyed and want to make that clear.
• Plotholders may harvest ripe fruits and vegetables in modest quantities for their own use.
• Please do not pick any of the flowers.  They are for the bees.
• Compost: only add fresh material to the black bin.  Once we sift the compost, use the finished compost we have available for your plots whenever you are planting.  A little goes a long way, but please use it!
• Stealing: already some garlic has been stolen.  Be alert!  If you see someone in the garden, introduce yourself (it's nice to know the other gardeners).  If you think somebody doesn't belong there, please either ask them to leave if you feel comfortable (or maybe just politely tell them that the garden is for the use of plotholders only), or see Venus in the fieldhouse or email any of the Leadership Committee for assistance.

And now, for the first time ever, a garden help schedule.  Following are the times that somebody will be in the garden to answer your questions or help you with any gardening issues.  The times are approximate; if you definitely know you will need help, please email us so we can arrange a specific time within the time frame below:

• Sunday early afternoon: Brian
• Monday 11 am - 1 pm: Yvonne
• Monday, Wednesday, 5-6 pm: Dale
• Tuesday 5-6 pm: Lisa
• Thursday 4-5 pm: Dale
  
• Friday 6-7 pm: Valerie
• Saturday morning: Greg