Winter Protection Part 2 Cold Frames

[@brocktoon8]

No one can say you don't love your plants! Amazing! Such a lot of hard work but well worth the results!

[@GreenDragan]

Yes! Thank you!

[@cartermoore8124]

Great videos and info.. I live in zone 6b London and now have 3 palms in my front garden and a fourth on the way this spring. I have some other tropicals that you have kept outdoors, so I will plant some of mine outside, hopefully with the same success. Awesome and inspirational. Carter

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much! Keep on pushing the limits and experiment, but go slow in planting new exotics outdoors. In our climate there are many variables to consider. Always have a backup. One power outage can be deadly for some. Happy gardening.

[@vincentking8267]

I'm now gonna plant one of my 14 citrus trees in the ground in central Georgia. I already have 10 pieces of 4'x12' twinwall polycarbonate.

[@GreenDragan]

Best of luck. We learn by experimenting. Happy gardening.

[@Sandor68]

10 out of 10... Excellent job and thanks for all the useful info👍

[@GreenDragan]

Hi Sandor. Glad it was helpful!

[@eleanorkerr5709]

Hi Dragan. I enjoyed your presentation. Soon I will be seeing these frames removed. Looking forward to viewing your beautiful garden again. Eleanor (neighbour)

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you Eleanor. Most of the palms have been uncovered in the front garden. The rest coming soon. Cheers.

[@selvychristy1965]

Hard working man! I can’t even imagine to do this much. I am blessed to enjoy your plants when I want. God bless you😇

[@GreenDragan]

Thanks so much Selvy. We are all passionate about certain things. Plants bring joy to so many.

[@selvychristy1965]

@@GreenDragan can I remove covering from Musa Basjoo next week?

[@GreenDragan]

@@selvychristy1965 It should be ok. Keep an eye on the overnight temps.If it drops well below 0c throw a tarp over it till morning.

[@selvychristy1965]

@@GreenDragan Thank you.

[@MyTrips]

773 subscribers! Dragan you are getting there to the significant 1000 subscribers. You are making beautiful videos, and that is the reason why.

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much! I am glad you like them. Cheers.

[@filiplofstrom8076]

Inspiring for me who garden in the archipelago of Stockholm. Also somewhere around 5b or maybe 6. I have a lot of rock, boulders and hillsides that help my microclimate and very dry winters in general. -10c so far this winter. The sea helps keep temperatures up too.

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you for watching Filip! Happy gardening.

[@saltlifess6226]

Wow, guess I'm Glad I live in North Florida after seeing this!

[@GreenDragan]

It is a lot of work, but any passionate job is.

[@Ruth1803ZigZag]

Wow you put a great deal of work into your garden!! So worth it.

[@GreenDragan]

It has become a full time job during the warmer months. Easily 6-10 hours a day between uncovering in stages, pruning, watering, feeding and of course searching out new varieties and researching info on care and culture.

[@briangifford109]

Amazing! Just Amazing! I have been looking all over the internet and have gotten some great advice from some of my fellow Palm enthusiasts at the International Palm society. But seeing your approach and determination is by far the best I have seen. I live in Zone 6b in central Kentucky and have been overwintering some things in the Ground successfully (like Colocasias, Allocasias, Canna and some Banana varieties. This year I planted two 5 year old Washingtonia robustas that I grew from seed. I'm using the not so pretty Foam board box method and so far they are doing ok. But looking at your method, I think I will plant a lot more stuff out. I do have a Question! Maybe two. 1.) How do you protect the Red Banana (Musa Eneste Maurelli) 2.) Do you wrap all of your Plants that are inside these Boxes with frost cloth or do you leave some unwrapped. Thank you so much for sharing and giving us, who live in the harsher colder climate the hope and tools to bring the tropical look home.

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you so much Brian! Yes all of the plants are double wrapped. What this does is create an air pocket or tent if you will. This way we heat a smaller volume of air, just the air space directly next to the plant more or less reducing our heating cost. Secondly the leaves of the plant never touch the outside box reducing cold transfer and possible moisture problems and fungus. The red banana is treated same as the palms, c9 lights frost cloth then the box. The only drawback is they keep growing during winter and need cutting back regularly. Happy gardening.

[@changsimon4800]

The video is very important to me，thank you.

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much! Glad it was helpful. Cheers.

[@SAL-se4ki]

Wow! You certainly are inspirational!!! I only wished I had started younger!

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much Steve! Me too in so many things. Better late than never. Cheers.

[@ivanvalent7572]

Very helpful and inspirational video Dragan! I was wondering about the thickness of twin polycarbonate panels you are using to overwinter your tropical plants. Thanks a lot!

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much Ivan. The majority are 8mm thick. They come in sheets 8ft to 14ft long. Other thickness are available but difficult to source in Canada. Big box stores are not reliable at all. You need to contact greenhouse builders. Cheers.

[@ivanvalent7572]

@@GreenDragan Thank you! I wanted to know what are you using mostly. I am going to build some cold frames for my plants. I was going to use 10 mm polycarbonate but if the 8mm is good for you it will work in my zone for a sure. Thanks for advising me!

[@alexlalonde4190]

Very well done, I was thinking of doing a raised bed...now I will definitely be doing it and borrowing some of your tricks and recommendations. Thanks 🌴

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you Alex. Go for it! Raised beds benefit in so many ways. Happy gardening.

[@MOJUSA]

That is awesome. Beautiful garden wow great sharing friend. New friend

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much MOJ On Air USA. I am glad you liked it.

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

Superb video. Fascinating detail. Thank you sir for your great tutorial. Cheers 👍

[@GreenDragan]

Glad you enjoyed it Vincenze.

[@northeasthardytropicals541]

Really nice winter protection. Works well and looks great. Awesome stuff

[@GreenDragan]

Northeast Hardy Tropicals, thank you very much! This method works on hardier palm trees and even more tender bird of paradise plants and many other exotics.

[@bhanund]

My Dream!! Very impressive!!

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much! It is doable if you are willing to put the effort in.

[@ambereagles8938]

Wow, absolutely incredible

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much Amber. Glad you found it helpful.

[@arthurostrowski9579]

Amazing and inspirational!

[@GreenDragan]

Thanks so much Arthur! Let's push the limits of what gardening can be.

[@ScottyOn1]

Outstanding. Great tutorial. It must take you a couple of weeks to prepare in the Fall?

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you Scott. As winter approaches protection is put up in stages, most tender plants first. It takes over a month. Cheers.

[@ellaolesen]

Wow! This is an amazing set up. No Joke. Well done and inspiring

[@GreenDragan]

Thanks so much, Ella Olesen! I'm glad it was helpful.

[@robstrobel9524]

Thank you .very helpful.

[@GreenDragan]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tr-trader]

Great as always. Thank you

[@GreenDragan]

Thanks again AL. I. !

[@ericthompson6531]

Really well done video

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much Eric! I try to improve as I go.

[@farleyendeman9394]

Because of your love and passion for nature and plants the Canadian zone 5 winters must be long and grueling for you lol. Do you find yourself vacationing a lot in warmer climate locations during that time..?

[@GreenDragan]

Hi Farley Endeman. Winters in Canada can seem very long. I do enjoy a tropical escape as often as possible to be inspired.Then create a small piece of that memory in my zone 5 garden. Through experimenting year after year, some things work and some do not. You can make anything possible if you through enough cash and long term commitment at it. Cheers.

[@Kara-r6y]

This video is very helpful as I start preparing to need to cover some tropical plants this winter, but I wonder, do you need to provide any water to your plants at all over winter and when do you put up your cold frames and when do you take them down (general guidelines)?

[@GreenDragan]

Regarding watering in the winter, it depends on the type of plant what zone you are in and the duration of the extreme cold. Palm trees with my protection method using fold frames, do require water during winter. In my zone 5B garden during a typical winter there is enough snow melting between deep freezes to keep the palms happy. Bananas, succulents etc. get zero water. Putting up and taking down protection depends on the species and their cold tolerance. Trachy palms are the last to get protection while Sago palms are first followed by Pindo palms. The whole process can take 4-6 weeks from start to finish. Removing protection depends on the long range forecast. The cold hardiest plants are uncovered first when nightly temps do not drop below -5C and the most tender plants are exposed at about +5C to +7C.

[@Truenorth143]

Your gardens look amazing. I was wondering if you need to water any of your palms??? I have a 12ft washingtonia that was really dry after this winter.

[@GreenDragan]

Great question Scott. During an average winter over three decades, there is enough gradual snow melt during January thaw and milder winter days that I do not need to water. This past winter with -20c prolonged cold and 2 feet plus of snow, watering was not possible and some of my palms suffered or died back. My largest Washy totally defoliated, but since the warmer weather and some watering it has pumped out 2 fronds. I will need to build in larger access panels in the cold frames to allow for emergency watering.

[@Truenorth143]

Thank you for the reply. You said exactly what I was thinking. I will be more conscious from now on about adding small amounts of water if needed

[@sourceone3443]

Your videos are amazing thank you! I am planning to plant a 4 ft trunked Yucca Rostrata in 5b. My soil is rather heavy and takes a while to drain. I'm worried about the roots. Could you please tell me exactly how to construct your raised bed? It would mean the world to me, love your channel! Best...

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much for the kind words! Yucca Rostrata prefer a well draining soil mix located in a full sun location. For creating the raised beds first break up the native soil to a depth of at least a foot or 30cm below the future root zone of your future plants. Add a healthy mix of organic matter, compost or manure mixed with coarse sand to the planting hole going well beyond the new beds in every direction. Mound the soil highest toward the center of the new bed (no smaller than 4x4 ft. sq.) After planting back fill with a sandy top soil mix. Then, if desired create a level base for your bricks, stone or garden blocks to restrain the beds. Happy gardening.

[@sourceone3443]

@@GreenDragan Awesome, I'll give this a try! Thanks again. Everything I see says they are completely hardy in my zone 5, do you find this accurate or should I still plan to protect them in some way for winter?

[@scottcraig9047]

Hi. I also live in Waterloo, Ontario but would like to bring my plant indoors during the winter. I think the garage would be too cold and there is a lot of lighting in there when my husband is out working but I'm not sure if the basement would be cool enough. There is no light in the basement. Could I take cuttings off now or should I wait until spring? I love your site. It's so nice to know that someone in the area grows them. I find it really difficult to find information for new growers in our zone, so I'm really happy to see your fantastic Brugmansia. I now have 3 plants and all have bloomed this summer. I love them.

[@scottcraig9047]

I use my husband's account. I'm called Kathleen.

[@GreenDragan]

Kathleen, thank you for liking my channel. Many plants can be over wintered in the garage i.e.: oleander, figs, hardy bananas so long as the temperature does not stay below freezing most of the time and they are on the dry side. It will depend on what plants you are protecting. Brugmansias and red bananas Ensete venticosum maurellii can be kept in the basement, heavily pruned with a simple grow light or in a cool fruit cellar totally dark. Brugmansia cuttings can be taken any time of year.

[@nadeemhussain6334]

Really amazing! Thank you for sharing your experiences. I wondered whether you use 3mm or 6mm thickness of the polycarbonate panels?

[@GreenDragan]

The panels are twin wall, with an air space like corrugated cardboard. Most are 8mm.

[@OddBonsai]

Would the humidity inside the coldframe need to be regulated or does it allow for sufficient air circulation? I find your achievements amazing and I consider trying this with a Yucca gigantea. Thank you!

[@GreenDragan]

Hi Odd Bonsai. During milder sunny winter days the cold frames are ventilated to offer some fresh air. Many of the plants I grow can tolerate dry conditions. The light bulbs do provide a dry heat. There is some transpiration from the plants, but it is not enough moisture to be a problem typically. The yuccas are surprisingly robust. Spring update video coming soon. Cheers.

[@OddBonsai]

@@GreenDragan Thank you for your response. Looking forward to the next video.

[@vistaprime]

I can't build these but I have no issues hiring someone to do this. I plan to have a Washington Robusta, pindo or a mule and musa bajoo. These will be complemented by annuals. I posted on part one, so I hope to hear from you.

[@GreenDragan]

Sounds good! Any palm will be more work than Musa basjoo, cut stalks, heavy mulch 3 feet thick and cover with a large tarp. The hardier the palm the less work overall. Cheers.

[@vistaprime]

@@GreenDragan Yes, my gardener will help me with the palms and the musa bajoo. Budget isn't a concern. It's about motivation And we're quite motivated.

[@GreenDragan]

@@vistaprime glad to hear it! Keep on experimenting.

[@palmamiodbia2753]

Niesamowite osłony !

[@GreenDragan]

Palma mi odbiła, Dziękuję Ci. Świetnie sprawdzają się w moim klimacie. Thank you. They work well in my climate.

[@joyanderson2051]

Great 👍 thank you

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much, joy anderson.

[@liseann9163]

Yes, we’re do you store all this in the summer?

[@GreenDragan]

Hi Liseann. The majority ends up in the garage, the largest ones are disassembled and stored in the back garden behind the flower beds. some end up along the side of the house. Know your limits and plan ahead. Cheers.

[@Halyjam]

Im looking to grow agave in my yard. I have heard that there are some colder weather agave plants that can do well in places like Ontario. Would I still need to cover it with the panel, or do you think wrapping would suffice? Thanks!

[@GreenDragan]

Hi James. The agave most commonly available in Ontario is Americana. This is the species I grow. There is an old video giving you the basics of what has worked for me for many years... kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5yYhKl6fc5pZ8U I will do an update video soon to show the current size at about 4-1/2Ft tall and wide. Cheers.

[@glamourizedfurniture7314]

When will you be taking the cold frames off of your red Abyssinians?

[@GreenDragan]

The red bananas are ventilated on sunny days and totally uncovered when night time temps are 5C and above,

[@marktrainor4529]

Great video! Question for you, where to you buy the polycarbonate and aluminum trim? Having trouble sourcing this.

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you Mark. I source my materials from Omni Structure located at 18 Seapark Drive, Unit 4 St Catharines, ON L2M 6S6, Canada or omnicanada.com/ Good luck.

[@zane.walker]

Just curious how you manage significant swings in temperature. A couple of weeks ago, it was sunny and in the 20's Celsius. Do you have to remove the cold frames to prevent the plants from being baked? If so, now that there has been a couple of nights with sub-zero temperatures, do you have to put the cold frames back on?

[@GreenDragan]

Hi Zane. During mild temps I ventilate. Last week with temps in the 20's I simply removed one panel on each cold frame and when the cold weather returned I closed it back up. Cheers.

[@evansbuilding9711]

Fantastic you really know your stuff. Are you on Instagram would love to see more pictures of your garden

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you Evans Building. At present I am not on social media. Too many projects on the go. My garden update videos from last year give a good overview kzbin.info/www/bejne/a57UZJ2Jn86nqtk and kzbin.info/www/bejne/oZy0o4ycfL92j9E Cheers.

[@evansbuilding9711]

@@GreenDragan beautiful gardens amazing growing in zone 5 I’ll keep my eye out for future videos

[@davidirwin1549]

Are these cold frames available for sale online or at a store ?

[@GreenDragan]

Hi David. All of my cold frames were designed and built by me.

[@davidirwin1549]

@@GreenDragan Wow, they look great. Looks like you might have an engineering/building background ?

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you very much@@davidirwin1549 . I was in manufacturing and did CAD work for almost three decades.

[@TwistdSista]

👍👍👍👍👍

[@GreenDragan]

Thank you!