Quick and easy cold frame for seedlings

cold frame with cover crops hairy vetch and rye growing in the background

One of the benefits of raised garden beds is the ability to make this simple hoop house cold frame.

Tiny house living does not afford the space for growing seedlings indoors. We opted to germinate seeds 10-12 weeks before last frost using a space-saving (and money saving because we didn't have to buy potting soil) method Mike's dad taught us: sandwich seeds in moist paper towels and put the paper towels in ziplock bags. Keep the towels moist and wait for the seeds to germinate.

5x6' bed needed 7' of tubing for each hoop 

We then transferred the germinated seeds to the cold frame, which we made using 1/2 inch pex tubing we had left over from an apartment renovation ($2.98 for 10ft, $28.52 for 100ft at most box supply stores) and 4mil plastic sheeting.

Other hoop material ideas: flexible saplings or electrical conduit.

seedlings separated by twigs and "name tags" written on wood

Push each end of the pex tubing into the soil 6-8 inches. For extra stability we tied a thin branch across the hoops but I'm not sure it's necessary as the garden is well-sheltered from wind. Lay the plastic sheeting over the hoops and weigh down with rocks. Voilà, an easy hoop cold frame that keeps the seedlings warm and traps in moisture.

we'll use the cold frame to grow salad greens into late fall/early winter