Small Building Projects

In mid-April, I built a cold-frame out of old 2" x 12" lumber used to pour the foundation of the barn. We had an old aluminum storm window that had been ordered the wrong size that I used for the window. The best part is that I got to use my brand-new DeWalt table saw to cut the boards. This will be used to start lettuces and other plants early in the spring, as well as provide transplants an advantage over plants exposed to the colder nighttime temperatures on the property. Over the April 28 weekend, we build a 4' x 8' raised bed out of the same lumber, and filled it with dark rich dirt dug from tilled ground at the edge of the clearing, layered with straw. Under the cold-frame, we planted arugula, and at the front of the bed planted mint, rosemary, thyme, parsley, and cilantro. Two peppers were planted towards the back of the bed under the cold-frame. Everything looked good over the May 12 weekend, except the rosemary, which had died back but was putting out new growth.