I have built a straw bale cold frameImage may be NSFW.
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before but we never had such cold weather as this year. We just experienced a “polar vertex” and had one night and one day where the temperature stayed at 0 degrees for long periods of time. With the wind chill factor it was actually much colder than 0 degrees.
The Straw Bale Cold Frame Worked Really Well
Today we are at more normal temperatures for this time of year around 32 degrees. You can see from the picture above that my arugula survived the polar vertex quite nicely and it looks like we will still be eating fresh arugula for the rest of the winter.
In my last straw bale cold frame I didn’t have such a good cover. I used to use a screen door frame covered with a light row cover. Now I have plexiglass that is very sturdy and holds the snow off the plants. Plexiglass is very expensive so if you can get some used it is cheaper. I got mine used.
Arugula is Considered a “Bitter”
Arugula is quite bitter with a peppery mustard taste. I like to eat it because it is considered a “bitter” and can stimulate the digestive system. See this article Bitter Herbs Sweeten Digestion. If you are thinking about what to plant this spring Arugula is a great plant to start early. You can see from my experience that it can withstand very cold temperatures. And it is nice to have such fresh greens as early as possible!
The Lettuce Didn’t Do So Well
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My lettuce didn’t fare so well. It is in a pot on the front porch. It has survived three snow storms but it doesn’t look like it survived the 0 degrees. Of course, it was not protected by a straw bale cold frame. Even though it is completely frozen, it might continue to grow. I will keep you posted on that possibility.
Image may be NSFW.
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The last thing I learned from this polar vertex is that Daffodils are very hardy. I already have a few poking up above the soil. To me this seems extremely early because I first saw them in December. I wondered how they would do with the extreme cold temperatures. To my great delight they look great. Here is a picture of one of them. As you can see from the picture it did not have much protection like autumn leaves covering it up.
A straw bale cold frame is easy to create. At the end of the winter you can use the straw to create a compost pile or use it for mulching around your plants. And then the next winter you can make another one!
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