You're not gonna believe the genius of this impromptu cold frame. A plastic duvet bag works perfectly to insulate tender plants, plus with a zipper opening it's simple to vent on warmer days.
I've been walking around a piece of garbage on my bedroom floor for 2 weeks. Technically it wasn't exactly garbage because I had never put it into the garbage can. It was floor garbage which I think we can all agree is very different.
What happened was, 2 weeks ago I bought a new pillow and it came in a square plastic bag with a zipper. I *knew* this was something I'd be able to use at some point and I probably shouldn't put it in the garbage or recycle bin. Best to wait until I was absolutely certain I wasn't going to use it for anything before throwing it out. And it was best to leave it there, right in the middle of my bedroom floor on account of that's the best way to remind myself that I need to make a decision about it.
I'm sure you see not only the logic but basically the genius of this.
My initial thought was that I could put wool sweaters in it during the summer - but that didn't seem like the real reason I was saving this bag. And it wasn't. Waking up one morning just barely out of a dream I knew.
The REASON I'd been walking around this bag on my bedroom floor for 2 weeks was because it's a perfect mini cold frame.
I have a tiny flat of peas that need to be hardened off (oh you don't know what hardening off is? K, read this) over the next couple of weeks and I'd been putting it off because I wasn't sure how I was going to do it. When you harden off cold hardy crops you need to put them in a little cold frame or something to gently acclimatize them to the outdoors.
Enter the impromptu, plastic bag, cold frame.
To do this, you can use almost any bag that has structure. So it needs to be made of sturdy, not flimsy, plastic. Having a zipper that you can open and close for venting is ideal.
A duvet bag, quilt bag or a large garment bag you would use for hanging several items of clothing in a closet would all be great choices for a slightly bigger impromptu cold frame.
Did I mention the bag has to be clear? Because it has to be clear. I know there's only one of you out there that didn't realize the bag has to be clear so that little mention is especially for you.
If your bag is collapsing on your plants you can get super fancy and built a little frame for the inside of it out of PVC pipes.
Or you can just brace a couple of dowels inside to keep the top of the bag propped up. You don't want it squishing down on your plants.
Setting the seedlings in a plastic tray does two things. It helps keep the plastic bag from collapsing inwards and it makes watering really easy. You don't need to pull the plants out, you just water into the plastic tray and the plants wick up the moisture.
See? You really don't need to have all the latest and greatest to garden. You just need a bit of creativity, some floor garbage and a dream.
Have a good weekend!
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MelissaM
I have been using them to corral my knitting projects. A WIP can go in one, a WIP-to-be can go in another, with pattern, needles, etc.
But the cold frame idea is a great one!
Susan Schneider
I knew I would need those bags someday! Thank you for telling me what and why! I have a question- the pea seeds I bought say not recommended to start inside. I wanted them to get a head start. Do you think I could just start them in a setup like this? Thanks so much!!
Karen
Hi Susan. There are a lot of things you aren't supposed to start inside because they either don't transplant well or there really isn't any need to start them inside. Peas are one of those things. I start them inside mainly just because I'm excited to get going. There really isn't any need to. They're fast growing and do fine if you plant them outside. I've never started them outside in this type of a setup so I'd be curious to see if it works for you. As long as it doesn't get too hot and you manage the ventilation it should! :) ~ karen
PMMK
Peas are also good to start indoors at any time of the year because tender, young pea shoots are sweet and tasty and much better to eat in winter than travel weary lettuce. You are completely vindicated.
Karen
https://www.theartofdoingstuff.com/add-some-spring-to-your-winter-salad-grow-fresh-pea-sprouts/ ;) ~ karen!
Pamela Marshall
Really good idea!!!
Mary W
Genius! I always save those bags - forget where - then save the next one and forget where. Genius in using it for a mini hot house but even more genius in saving it in the middle of the floor. Honestly that would work for many things.
Joyce
It is not “ floor garbage” it is “ supplies in search of a use”! My stuff gets dropped...er, placed in my laundry area.
Joyce
Traci
This is brilliant! I have to say that the floor garbage method backfires when your preschooler decides we can no longer throw anything away bc he knows we can find some way to reuse it. This includes trash he finds outside when we are out and about. I guess I did too good a job of passing on my environmentalist and crafting tendencies...
GCL
I curbed this a little by telling mine that if we're outside and he picks it up he needs to find a trash or recycle bin to put it in.
Not that I don't want him to be conscious of his environment and clean up but....sometimes you just don't know where or what it is....and I'd rather he didn't handle it without gloves or something.
However....my rock and stick collection is simply astonishing!! lol
Karen
I sell vintage linens and buy zippered blanket bags from Amazon, just in case anybody is looking for them
Nicole Hoff
"You just need a bit of creativity, some floor garbage and a dream." This is pretty much my one line memoir. :) Love your blog!
jaine kunst
YOU ARE A GENIUS!!
Linda in Illinois
Genius
whitequeen96
Absolute GENIUS! Thanks for all your brilliant, wonderful tips (along with the fun way you write about them).
Gayle M
You are that person who makes the rest of us say, Duh--I should have thought of that. That's why we need you--so you can rhink of stuff for us. (I was goiing into the depths of my basement tomorrow to essentially empty it--basement guy coming to check the huge horizontal crack in the concrete. You single handedly gave me the perfect reason to explain to hubby why I've saved all those quilt, blanket, sheets and pillow zipper bags.) Credit will be given where credit is due. For sure. "But, honey, Karen says..."
Cottontail Farm
Ugh! I just threw one if these away. Crap! This is amazing.
Karen
I've had it out for a week now and it's worked perfectly! ~ karen!
Bronwyn
Well, you are bloody brilliant, aren’t you?
Marna
Wow that is brilliant! :)
Judy Carlin
Every time I read something you’ve written, I think, I just love you! Thanks for sharing 😁
Karen
Oh! Well thank you. I can't say I love you yet, but I *am* very fond of you. ~ karen!
Jeanette Smith
I have a stash of these, brilliant use!
Elaine
Brilliant! 👍
Dana Studer
I'm speechless, Karen. You have done it again. If I knew how many of these I've thrown out over the years, I would kick myself.
Carol Hogan
I was thinking the very same thing!
Andrea
I thought I was the only one who left items in the middle of the floor so that I would remember to make a decision about them! Great use for these!
Sheila
Me too...much to my husband's chagrin!
Catherine Naulin
I use them for all sorts of things, but this is brilliant. What would we do without you?
Thanks Karen