Enhanced Green Space within a Raised Window Frame
In colder climates, growing heat-loving plants can be a challenge. However, a creative solution has emerged: the window-protected raised garden. This innovative approach allows gardeners to extend their growing season and protect their plants from cold stresses without the complexity of a full greenhouse.
To begin, construct raised beds to elevate the soil. This helps prevent frost damage, improves drainage, and warms the soil earlier in spring. The beds can be built using wood, stone, or composite materials. Elevation is crucial in cold climates as it helps prevent flooding.
The next step is to add a protective enclosure with large windows or transparent covers. This creates a mini green environment, shielding plants from cold winds while allowing sunlight to enter. Materials resistant to cold and moisture should be used, and insulation or thermal mass elements may be added to retain heat overnight.
The size of the raised bed is important. A suitable size might be 9'3'' (2.82 m) long, 6'5'' (ca. 2 m) wide, and 17'' high, with a height of the sidewall at least 14'' to 16'' tall to allow for 12'' of soil. The bed should be lined with chain link fence wire and landscape fabric to create an air gap between the soil and the lumber and prevent root-bound plants.
The entrance door for the raised bed can be made from a storm window to enclose the microclimate in the raised bed. Adding protection through windows creates a microclimate in the raised bed, which helps maintain a warmer temperature than outside.
The results of growing tomatoes in a raised window-protected garden have been surprising. For tomatoes, additional compost is added each year at planting time. The garden was later replaced with a bigger structure and used to grow tomatoes over the summer.
Mel's Mix (1/3 compost, 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 peat moss) was used for the soil preparation in the raised bed. This custom soil mix improves fertility and provides a suitable environment for the plants.
Raised garden beds dry out faster, so plan for more frequent watering. Building a frame with hinged or removable windows allows ventilation control, vital to prevent overheating on sunny days. Low-cost greenhouse kits or DIY cold frame panels can be adapted for window protection. Using transparent panels instead of glass reduces weight and risk of breakage.
Additional tips include using vertical planting or window boxes on south-facing walls for maximum sun exposure and creating barriers or windbreaks using shrubs or fences to reduce chilling winds. Mulching helps soil retain warmth and moisture.
In a cold climate, a raised bed warms up sooner, and the soil is usually a bit warmer. If heat is not needed, the glass can be substituted with netting. A frost blanket can be added for extra protection in cold climates.
The raised window-protected garden provides a warmer microclimate than outside, direct sunlight for plants, and protection from wind, predators, and cold. This approach allows you to grow heat-loving plants outdoors with extended seasons and protection from cold stresses without a full greenhouse structure.
The raised window-protected garden was initially a temporary greenhouse made out of desperation to grow spring seedlings. However, it has proven to be successful, and the builders invite others to share their experiences. If you're looking for a creative solution to cold climate gardening, consider building a window-protected raised garden.
- For optimal results in cold climates, add compost each year when planting tomatoes in a raised window-protected garden.
- Mel's Mix (1/3 compost, 1/3 vermiculite, 1/3 peat moss) is used for soil preparation in raised beds to improve fertility and create a suitable environment for the plants.
- Raised garden beds dry out faster, so plan for more frequent watering, or build a frame with hinged or removable windows for ventilation control to prevent overheating.
- In a cold climate, a raised garden bed warms up sooner, and the soil is usually a bit warmer, making it suitable for growing heat-loving plants outdoors with extended seasons and protection from cold stresses.
- To further enhance warmth and protection in a cold climate, consider using a frost blanket or netting instead of glass panels for your window-protected raised garden.
