Cold Frame Gardening + Finding Balance on the Homestead

IN TODAY'S EDITION

1. Homestead Tip 🌱

2. Poll Results From Last Sunday 📊

3. All Things Homestead: Crafting Your Own Cold Frame 🖾

4. Personal Development: Making Time for Yourself Amidst Homestead Duties ❤️‍🩹

5. Today's Top Picks 🛍️

6. Let’s Keep It Reel 🤣

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POLL RESULTS FROM LAST SUNDAY

Do you think the rise of “winter comfort food” marketing is meant to keep us buying high-calorie, processed foods instead of focusing on seasonal, nutritious eating?

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ Yes, it’s definitely about selling unhealthy processed foods.

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 Possibly, though people also want comfort food in winter.

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ I’m unsure, but it’s true comfort foods are marketed heavily.

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ No, comfort food is just a natural winter craving.

via @beehiiv polls

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ALL THINGS HOMESTEAD

Crafting Your Own Cold Frame 🖾

Building a cold frame is one of the best ways to keep your garden productive through cooler months. Think of a cold frame as a mini greenhouse: it’s a low, box-like structure with a clear top that lets sunlight in and traps warmth. Let’s go step-by-step through what a cold frame is, how to build one, and how to make the most of it.

What is a Cold Frame?

A cold frame is a simple structure that uses sunlight to keep the soil and plants warmer than the outside temperature.

Benefits of Using a Cold Frame:

• Start Early, Finish Late: It’s a great way to get a head start in spring and keep your garden growing through fall and even winter.

• Frost Protection: Shields delicate plants from sudden cold snaps.

• Controlled Environment: Keeps your soil warmer and creates a mini-climate where hardy greens like spinach, kale, and lettuce can thrive.

Where to Place It:

• Sunlight: A south-facing spot is ideal for maximum sun exposure.

• Shelter: Find a spot with some protection from strong winds.

• Drainage: Place the cold frame in a well-drained area, or set it on a slight slope or gravel base if needed to keep water from pooling inside.

Cold Frame Designs and Materials

Cold frames can be simple or fancy, depending on your needs and materials on hand.

Popular Cold Frame Designs:

• Basic Box Frame: A simple wooden box with a hinged, clear lid.

• Lean-to Frame: Built against a south-facing wall, which helps retain extra warmth.

• A-Frame: Taller and can double as a small greenhouse; provides extra space and height for plants.

Materials to Use:

1. Frame Material: Untreated wood like cedar or pine works well, but you can also use reclaimed wood or cinder blocks.

2. Transparent Lid (Glazing):

   • Glass: Recycled windows are perfect, but they’re fragile.

   • Polycarbonate Panels: Lightweight and shatter-resistant.

   • Plastic Sheets: Cheap and easy but may need replacing after a while.

3. Hinges: Use sturdy hinges to make it easy to lift and lower the lid.

4. Weatherproofing:

   • Weather-stripping: Sealing around the lid edges helps retain heat.

   • Insulation: For very cold climates, you can add straw bales or foam boards around the frame for extra warmth.

How to Build a Simple Cold Frame

Here’s a step-by-step guide to building a basic cold frame. It doesn’t require fancy tools, and you can finish it in a weekend.

1. Measure and Cut Materials

   • Size: Start with a 4-foot by 2-foot frame. This is large enough for a few rows of greens.

   • Depth: Make the back wall about 18 inches tall and the front wall 12 inches for a sloping top to capture sunlight.

   • Cut Wood: You’ll need two 4-foot pieces for the back and front and two 2-foot angled pieces for the sides.

2. Assemble the Frame

   • Back Wall: Attach the side pieces to the back wall.

   • Front Wall: Attach the front wall to complete the box. This gives you a sturdy, angled structure for optimal sunlight exposure.

   • Secure Joints: Use screws to make sure everything holds tight against weather and time.

3. Attach the Clear Lid

   • Install Hinges: Place two hinges on the back edge of the frame so the lid can open and close.

   • Attach the Lid: Secure your clear cover (glass, polycarbonate, or plastic) to the frame with screws. It should fit snugly to keep heat inside.

4. Add Insulation and Weatherproofing

   • Weather-stripping: Add a strip around the edges of the lid to keep warm air from escaping.

   • Insulation: If you live in a very cold area, try placing straw bales or foam boards around the outside of the frame for extra insulation.

Setting Up Your Cold Frame for Maximum Benefits

Once your cold frame is built, it’s time to place it in the best spot and adjust it for each season.

1. Final Placement: Put it in a south-facing location with lots of sun and shelter from harsh wind. Make sure it’s level to avoid water pooling.

2. Seasonal Adjustments:

   • Fall/Winter: Surround the frame with straw bales for added warmth and keep it out of any heavy shade.

   • Spring: Prop the lid open slightly on warm days to prevent overheating.

Ventilation Tips:

• Manual Venting: Open the lid slightly on sunny days to keep the inside from getting too hot (above 85°F is too much).

• Automatic Vent Opener: You can add a vent opener that adjusts automatically to temperature changes if you don’t want to monitor it every day.

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT

Making Time for Yourself Amidst Homestead Duties ❤️‍🩹

Homesteading is fulfilling but can also be incredibly demanding. Between garden chores, animal care, and household tasks, it’s easy to get caught up in a never-ending to-do list. That’s why making time for yourself is so important, even if it seems impossible some days.

Simple Self-Care Strategies for Busy Homesteaders

1. Set Realistic Boundaries:

   Boundaries can protect your time and give you small breaks. For example, you could set a “self-care hour” every evening where you don’t do homestead work. Or try scheduling “no-work weekends” once a month to rest and recharge.

2. Add Small Self-Care Moments Throughout Your Day:

   Self-care doesn’t have to be a big block of time. Look for small moments you can use to recharge, like deep breathing during chores, listening to music while working, or taking a few minutes to stretch each morning. These little breaks add up and can help you feel refreshed.

3. Create a Weekly Self-Care Routine:

   A regular weekly self-care activity gives you something to look forward to and helps keep you grounded. This could be a Sunday evening “reset” with a cup of tea and a good book or a Friday afternoon walk to unwind from the week.

4. Align with Seasonal Rhythms:

   Homesteading naturally follows seasonal cycles, so why not let your self-care reflect that? Use the quieter winter months to rest and plan, and find moments to relax during busier seasons by taking a quiet walk or spending a few minutes in the garden.

5. Delegate Tasks to Free Up Time:

   You don’t have to do everything yourself. If possible, delegate some tasks to family members or even trade jobs with a neighbor. This way, you’ll have a little extra time to do something just for you without neglecting your responsibilities.

Creating a Personal Self-Care Plan

1. Identify Your Needs

   • Think about which areas of self-care feel most important right now. Are you needing physical activity, mental rest, or more time to connect with others? Write down what makes you feel relaxed, happy, or energized.

   Questions to Ask: “What makes me feel recharged or calm? What would I like to do more often?”

2. Find Small Time Blocks

   • Look for short breaks in your day when you could take a few minutes for self-care. This could be early in the morning, during lunch, or right before bed. Even 10-15 minutes can make a difference.

   Example: “Where in my day do I naturally pause? Could I use this time to do something for myself?”

3. Create a Self-Care Menu

   • Make a list of activities you enjoy and find relaxing. This way, when you do have time, you can pick an activity that fits your mood. Divide these activities into categories: Physical (like stretching or a quick walk), Mental (like reading or listening to a podcast), Emotional (like journaling or talking to a friend), and Social (like having coffee with a friend).

   Sample Menu:

   • Physical: Walk, stretch, dance, do a yoga pose.

   • Mental: Read a chapter of a book, listen to a podcast.

   • Emotional: Write in a journal, practice gratitude.

   • Social: Call a friend, go for coffee with a neighbor.

4. Plan a Weekly Self-Care Routine

   • Choose one self-care activity each week and make it a regular thing. Whether it’s a bath, a hobby, or an hour of reading, pick a day and time, and make it your dedicated self-care slot.

   Example: “I’ll take a nature walk every Saturday morning,” or “My self-care time will be a cup of tea and a book every Sunday evening.”

THE STEADY HOME’S GIGGLE CHAMBER

Why did the apple sit alone at lunch?

It couldn’t find its core friends.

TODAY'S TOP PICKS

LET’S KEEP IT REEL!

I've put together some fantastic farm videos that are sure to make you laugh. Take a look and enjoy the fun!

1. When you've got a 'tough' chicken, but the second things get real, he's the first to bail:

@chickenhappyhour

Fearless Frankie 🤦‍♀️ #chickentok #rooster #backyardchickens #chickensoftiktok #fyp #homesteadlife #farmtok #funnyvideos #waitforit

2. When the chicken takes over breakfast duty for you:

@ironwoodsc

Freshly laid breakfast#freerange #funnyvideos #crazychickenlady #stove #farmlife #hillbilly #breakfast #friedegg

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