A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2006 Winter Garden questions

Just joined! What a beautiful site! Live in Sedona, Az. Occassional nights are just below freezing. Is there anything I can safely grow outdoors now? (vege-wise) I'm at about 4500 feet altitude...not much wind. Not sure of my zone...maybe 10. Thanks...Jim

Hi Jim welcome to the forum. I'm glad you found us.

Here is a list of some cold hardy veggies for your garden:

kale, spinach, collards, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, Brussels Sprouts, kohlrabi, turnips, cabbages, carrots, oriental greens, rutabagas, leeks, and winter lettuces

Now you will have to protect the plants from frost but cold frames and other devices are out there that you can buy/make that will do the trick.

Good luck with your garden.

i agree with tkhooper. and with cold frames and whatnot you could prolly grow almost any veggie.

Here is the Hotbox I am planning on building.





This could also be used as a cold frame.

Hey Amigatec when you get yours built you can cover over here to Arkansas and build me a couple of hotbox/cold frames.

The 32" by 80" opening will fit a standard storm door.

I have 2 left over from a house I tore down.

This is a scale drawing I made, it requires 2 sheets of plywood. In the bottom I plan to use sand and a water bed heater.

I plan to start on it Saturday.

I have an old storm door laying out behind the shed, and I saved a water bed heater, knowing it would come in handy for something...And there is all kinds of scrap wood around....Now to sneak into hubby's shed and find some nails and screws...The door has hinges already on it....Be sure to post some pictures of your when finished Amigatec. Thanks for the great idea and plans!!!

WTG you two. I would like to see pictures of your coldframes when you get done and all your lovely seedlings when they come up too.

I don't have it finished yet but here it is.

I still have to add some bracing to it.

That's really nice work Jim. It seems strange to me to see a flat yard. I've been working with a slope last year and this and think the whole world is tilted now lol. I can't wait to hear about everything you plant and how it does.

I am eagerly waiting to try it out!!

Amigatec that is really nice looking!!!!

Jim, when is your last frost??? You may be able to plant seeds and cover them with some sort of mulch or hay to keep them warm and safe......depending on what your day time temps are.

I'm thinking about cleaning out my cold frame and starting some tomato plants and herbs.....what you you all think?? I'm in PA about a hour northwest of Philadelphia....that's about 50 miles away for you southern-ers.