HOTBEDS AND COLD FRAMES 
By T. F. EIMBOCKER 
Hotbeds and cold frames are so essential to gardening, so easily 
made and operated, yet so little used, that this pamphlet has been 
prepared to give briefly their construction, uses and management. By 
means of these devices fresh vegetables may be had out of their usual 
season. 
Hotbeds are used for growing short-season vegetables (llettuce, 
radishes, etc.) to maturity, and for starting other garden crops so 
that they may be w'ell advanced for planting out when warm weather 
arrives. 
Cold frames are used to carry half-hardy plants over winter for 
planting the next spring and for starting, hardening off, or maturing 
plants when only slight protection is needed. 
DEFINITIONS 
Hotbed .—A bed heated from the bottom by means of pipes, flues 
or fermenting organic matter (manure, leaves, etc.), used for seed 
germination and plant growing. 
Cold frame .—An unheated frame for protecting plants from 
frost. 
LOCATION OF BEDS 
A hotbed or cold frame should, if possible, have protection against 
the north and northwest winds and be located preferably on ground 
with a gentle slope to the south. It is best to have the beds where 
they will be passed frequently so that they will receive^ proper atten¬ 
tion. 
CONSTRUCTION OF HOTBEDS 
Hotbeds are usually built 6 feet wide and some multiple of 3 feet 
in length, so that the ordinary hotbed sash may be used to cover them. 
A 6x12 ft. bed will produce enough plants for use in an ordinary 
kitchen garden, or enough short-season vegetables for the average 
family. 
The walls of the frame may be made of concrete, brick or plank. 
The latter is more commonly used, altho concrete is the best. Partic¬ 
ulars are given for 6x12 ft. plank frame hotbeds which are very con- 
* The writer wishes to acknowledge his indebtedness to Mr. Hal Goodacre, 
the College Florist who offered many very helpful suggestions in the pre¬ 
paration of this bulletin. 
