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A Cold Frame: The Gardener’s Secret for Spring
“Gardeners should dedicate a monument to the cold frame.” – Eliot Coleman. (The Four-Season Harvest, 1999, page 80.)

Eliot Coleman, one of the leaders in four-season gardening and an organic farming expert, went as far as to call the cold frame the magic box, and we couldn’t agree more.

Cold frames are simple and affordable outdoor structures that help gardeners protect young plants from cold weather while capturing the heat. Just like a mini greenhouse, which is exactly how a cold frame behaves but on a smaller scale, they shelter plants and can help growers start seeds earlier by capturing solar radiation and creating a warmer microclimate.

What is a Cold Frame?

A cold frame is a small bottomless box made from polycarbonate or glass that is designed to allow direct planting into the soil of a garden. You can purchase cold frames from local and online garden supply retailers or make your own if you’re crafty and up for a gardening project. Exaco has several excellent ones from Europe.

How Cold Frames Benefit Gardens in Early Spring and Late Fall

Temperatures are unpredictable in the spring, so much so that many areas experience a cold, “false spring,” where the climate feels unseasonably lovely and warm. People are excited to get outside and enjoy it. And then, snap! Mother Nature pulls the reins on all those spring gardening projects. This often leads to nipped plantings when temperatures return to their cooler norms.

But there’s a way around all that with a cold frame. Some key benefits of utilizing a cold frame in the spring include:
- Get a head start on seeds: Seeds can germinate weeks before they would outdoors.
- Protection: Delicate plants and seedlings can harden off before transplanting into prepared beds.
- Extend harvest: Greens like lettuce, kale, and spinach love cold frames and can produce in these structures long after the rest of the garden crop.
- Protection from late frosts: Those sudden drops won’t risk plants as they’ll stay insulated and safe in their cold frame.
Where to Position a Cold Frame

Just like a greenhouse, you want to ensure your cold frame is placed correctly in the garden to maximize its exposure to the sun. Usually, this means it should be south-facing and near a wall or up against a greenhouse for extra protection and warmth.

What to Grow in a Cold Frame

Cold frames and spring bounties are a match made in heaven. These veggies and flowers go hand in hand:
- Root veggies- Beets, carrots, radishes
- Herbs- Chives, cilantro, parsley
- Flowers- Violas and sweet peas
- Leafy greens- Arugula, Swiss chard, lettuce, spinach
Cold Frames Work in Fall and Winter, Too

double cold frame

Cold frames aren’t just for spring. They can extend the growing season for summer veggies like cucumbers and protect them from October’s frost. You can also overwinter fuchsia, geraniums, nasturtiums, tomatoes, or tomatillos with great success. The secret is to give plants some fresh air and open the frame so that the air can circulate, but never when the temperatures are at or near freezing.

Cold frames are an excellent addition to any garden, and if you don’t have the place for a full-size greenhouse, don’t let that stop you from extending your growing season. Look at our Australia brands that include a year-round, a double-frame, the Juwel Biostar 1500 Cold Frame which comes with automatic heat activated openers, or the Kombi Raised Bed and Cold Frame, (perfect for apartment-dwelling gardeners) and show Mother Nature you’ve got this!
March 11, 2025
Victorian Greenhouse Charm: 5 Decorating Essentials

When you think of a Victorian greenhouse, you probably imagine ornate finials, a small chair tucked in the corner, and glass walls showcasing a sunrise with promise. Roses may grow in beds nearby, and perhaps a cat or two wanders the gardens, waiting to rush inside and nip at the plants.

A Victorian greenhouse isn’t just a functional structure for controlled growing; it’s a mood that transports you to a simpler time and leisurely lifestyle, inviting you to stop and smell the roses. Originally symbols of luxury and botanical curiosity, these enchanting structures housed exotic plants and created year-round gardens, making them as much about beauty as function.

Ready to create your Victorian greenhouse escape? Incorporate these essentials to capture that timeless elegance. These five tips will have you searching flea markets and nurseries for charming additions to your retreat.

5 Must-Haves for Every Victorian Greenhouse

Lighting

Whether you run power to your greenhouse or rely on candles, nothing says elegance like a touch of crystal. A vintage crystal chandelier reflects light onto glazed pots and petals, creating a luminous effect under the moonlight. Many people also string twinkle lights for an enchanting glow. If fire risk or power access is a concern, opt for a candelabra with battery-operated candles. However you let light in. it’s one of the most impactful ways to add Victorian charm to your glass house.

Chair

Whether a rocking chair, old wooden stool, or patinaed patio settee, every Victorian greenhouse needs a place to rest to survey your growing plants. An antique piece adds character but avoid putting anything too sentimental or valuable in a greenhouse unless you’re okay with potential damage from moisture.

Rug

A printed rug adds personality to your Victorian greenhouse without costing a fortune. You can thrift or shop for an antique Persian wool rug, but affordable waterproof options are also effective for greenhouse chores. Muted hues add Old World style, and round shapes balance a square or rectangular greenhouse frame. A rug adds beauty underfoot and offers a cozy nap spot for furry friends to rest.

Gardening tools and kitsch

No greenhouse is complete without gardening tools for planting, watering, or adding charm. Look for brass and copper hangers, soap stone sinks, raised beds, kitschy gardening signs, enamel or galvanized watering cans, old garden tools, and wooden tool caddies to organize your implements.

Shelves and tables

Whether attached to the greenhouse or freestanding, shelving is essential for function. Get creative with salvaged dressers or writing tables, and use baskets for twine, gloves, and seed packets—a tiny stained-glass lamp on top casts warm rainbows that invite onlookers in.

Have fun with seasonal decorations too such as pumpkins for Halloween, Christmas lights, and shade cloths. With plenty of space to tend plants and seedlings, you’ll create a greenhouse where imagination blooms.

Shop for a Victorian Greenhouse

Decorating a Victorian greenhouse adds extra fun, but ensuring it is structurally sound and made from quality materials is key to long-term enjoyment of your greenhouse.

Explore our Janssens line of Victorian greenhouses and contact one of our partners to start your greenhouse journey. Thinking about a custom greenhouse? We can do that, too. Use our greenhouse configurator tool to design a charming, antique-inspired space ready for all your special touches.

March 11, 2025
Change Your Gardening Game with Planting by the Moon

You may have heard of planting by the moon, but have you tried it? Farmers and gardeners have used this age-old technique for hundreds of years, and some swear by its success.

If you want healthier plants and a more productive garden, this interesting planting method could be the winning card in your gardening game. Here’s what it entails.

What is Planting by the Moon?

As fun as it may sound, planting by the moon isn’t a magical, celestial endeavor where you grab your trowel and get to digging under the moonlight. Instead, the concept of planting by the moon is based on the idea that the moons phases can affect plant growth. How so? The moon causes tides to rise and fall with its gravitational pull. It also affects soil because it pulls more moisture to the surface. When seedlings are planted during the full moon and the new moon, they absorb more water and swell, resulting in more effective germination.

Lunar Cycles for Moon Phase Gardening

Now that you have a basic understanding of planting by the moon, you’ll need to follow two periods in the lunar cycle when planting.

Waxing– The time between the new and full moon.

Waning– The time between the full and the new moon.

What to Plant and When

The waxing and waning lunar cycles determine what you should plant. During the waxing moon, anything needing plentiful leaves and stems, such as annuals and above-ground fruits and veggies, should be planted. The moon’s light increases night by night from the new moon till it’s at it’s fullest. This helps upward stems grow healthy and strong.

For tubers, bulbs, and any plant needing extra root growth, you should plant during the waning moon. The moonlight decreases nightly from the full moon until it’s new again, and this extra darkness encourages plants to focus on growth beneath the soil. Below-ground crops such as onions potatoes and carrots benefit when planted during a waning cycle.

In addition to the moon cycle, your climate will determine when to plant tender seedlings. You can find dates for all the popular food crops in The Old Farmer’s Almanac Spring planting calendar.

Gardening is already a dance with nature, but adding a sprinkle of the moon’s influence makes it even more exciting. Have you tried planting by the moon? Keep a garden journal, track your success, and let us know if the moon’s magic works for you.

Source: Gardening by the Moon

March 7, 2025
The Orangery Greenhouse: Past and Present
For many plant lovers, an Orangerie or orangery greenhouse adds a new dimension to gardening and allows tender and exotic plants to be nurtured and grown. Long before modern orangeries began gracing the yards of gardening enthusiasts, the original Orangeries were mainly used for growing (you guessed it!) oranges.

History of the Orangery Greenhouse

Originating in England in the 17th century, these structures were first designed to cultivate fruit trees and became a symbol of wealth and prestige for the elite. Groundskeepers imported orange trees, banana plants, and pomegranates and nurtured the exotic fruits in Orangeries.

Versailles, St. Petersburg, and Vienna were home to some of the most well-known examples of orangery architecture. Some were completely freestanding, while others were attached to houses, where exotics could be grown and protected from harsh frosts.

As the understanding of plant care evolved and the cost of glass diminished, Orangeries became prominent in more estates and served as an architectural feature of the garden.

What Do People Grow in Orangeries Today?

Today, Orangeries can be used to grow various fruits and plants, including figs, avocados, bananas, and citrus. They’re also suitable for cultivating herbs, tomatoes, and peppers. For those seeking a decorative space, an Orangerie can be an excellent solution for growing succulents and cacti. Unlike traditional Orangeries, which were mainly for citrus cultivation, modern Orangeries blend the aesthetics of a conservatory with greenhouse functionality, serving as a stylish space for both plants and relaxation.

Discover Janssens Junior, Royal, and Antique Orangerie Greenhouses

With their T-shaped design, the Janssens line of Orangeries captures the charm of English greenhouses. Despite their heirloom aesthetic, they are made with 4mm tempered glass and a 17-gauge aluminum frame. They’re not just attractive; they’re also designed to withstand strong winds and moderate hail.

Janssens Orangeries Feature:
- Glass panels secured with heavy-duty rubber seals provide superior insulation to other glass greenhouses. This results in lower energy costs and more consistent temperatures.
- 4mm tempered glass, which is 1mm thicker than that offered by most competitors
- Seamless vertical glass panels to enhance both appearance and ease of cleaning
- Elegant roof edge and classic English design
- Thicker and stronger aluminum profiles for added durability
Consider your primary goals when choosing between a traditional greenhouse and an Orangerie. A traditional polycarbonate greenhouse may be more suitable if you seek optimal plant growth and functionality. However, an Orangerie can deliver if you desire an aesthetically pleasing space with lots of sunlight for gardening and relaxation.

Need help finding your dream garden structure? Contact one of our partners for more information about our Janssens line of Orangeries, modern, antique, and Victorian greenhouses.
March 4, 2025
Where to Place Your Victorian Green House

If the idea of a Victorian green house conjures up visions of a garden escape, you’re not alone. These timeless structures are more than just beautiful; they offer a unique combination of traditional charm and functional design. When placed thoughtfully in your garden, a Victorian greenhouse can provide the perfect environment for your plants to thrive. With high ceilings and ornate details, they’re the ultimate choice for those who want both form and function and pay homage to a bygone time.

Why Choose a Victorian Green House?

What makes a Victorian greenhouse stand out among other options? Unlike modern or polycarbonate greenhouses, they usually have a pitched roof, many have finials, and can feature large, expansive glass panels that let in maximum sunlight. The glass allows your plants to bask in natural light from all angles, which is essential for growth. Plus, the vintage style adds a touch of character to your garden space.

While owning a Victorian greenhouse can provide the edge to gardening by providing a controlled environment, there are no guarantees you’ll have a green thumb or be able to nurture finicky plants or crops without any challenges.

There are lots of factors that should be considered if you plan on becoming the master of your greenhouse space.

First and foremost, location is everything. Carefully planning this before purchasing can help ensure your happiness and success, whether you choose a Victorian greenhouse or a traditional style.

Find the Perfect Spot for Your Victorian Greenhouse

To maximize prosperity from your plants, you should aim to place your greenhouse with the ridge running from East to West. This exposure means your plants will happily bask in sunlight all day, which is necessary for colorful blooms, healthy foliage, and for bearing fruits.

Worried about sensitive plants? Shading solutions can help solve that as can aftermarket tinting. There is solar film that can be applied later to the glass, or greenhouse whitewash paint- something like Kool Ray Liquid Shade. This is painted on the greenhouse and wears off over the spring/summer with the weather. Creative greenhouse owners can also partition areas of their space with plants needing more or less sunlight and arrange what grows there as needed. There’s also shade cloth and exhaust fans to help control indoor temps.

Keep in mind a glasshouse like those from the Janssens Victorian or Alton’s Cedar greenhouses are excellent in cold weather but can heat up quickly in the summertime when temps soar, especially in southern climates. Even with proper ventilation and shade, glasshouses can be too warm to grow comfortably in mid to late summer. Sometimes they are best for extending the growing season, overwintering, and having an outdoor space for other leisure activities.

More to Consider

Not only is the exposure a major factor in determining greenhouse placement you’ll also need to think about the ground below. Your greenhouse should be placed on level footing. This will help reduce site preparation and help ensure you have the best base. Unlevel ground means your doors may not close properly or fit together.

Need power to your greenhouse? Think about your utilities, too. You may consider laying conduits under your foundation to power your exhaust fan, intake vent, lighting, and heater. And you should consider installing water lines. A greenhouse situated closer to the home can offset some of the costs of bringing in power and water.

Last, even though trees can be helpful and serve as a natural shading source, they’ll also block natural sunlight, which some plants need to thrive. In hotter climates trees can be useful, but falling limbs can damage your greenhouse, so keep that in mind.

Need Help?

With proper consideration, you can find the perfect location for your greenhouse. Exaco distributes European and Victorian greenhouses for all types property owners. Contact our team if you have any questions about ideal site placement or for more assistance selecting the best greenhouse for your needs.

Whether it’s a Victorian greenhouse or a modern outdoor structure, where you put it makes all the difference.

February 28, 2025
Why Every Family Needs a Kitchen Compost Pail
Whether you’re new to composting or what some may call a master of the science, a kitchen compost pail is a must-have product for collecting kitchen scraps for your compost pile, where they can begin the next step of decomposition.

Few gems in gardening can compare to the benefits of compost. The organic material improves your soil and diverts organic waste from landfills, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and methane production, a major contributor to climate change. Composting is good for the planet and is a sustainable way to feed your garden and plants with homegrown goodness, which some call “Black Gold.”

How can you incorporate composting into your gardening routine, and why is it so important for your garden? Together, we will discover the wonders of compost and how it can improve your growing experience.

The Ancient Roots of Composting

Composting is as old as time. Long before we knew the dangers of landfills and their environmental effects, our ancestors were practicing composting. The Greek, Roman, Chinese, Japanese, Scottish, and Native American cultures reused organic waste (since the Stone Age). Although they may not have relied on products like a kitchen compost pail to make scrap collection easier, they still took natural resources such as fish, manure, fish waste, and plant materials to fertilize their crops.

What Is Compost? Nature’s Gift

When organic materials, such as fallen leaves, grass clippings, and kitchen waste, break down over time, they become compost. Appropriately layered in a composting pile or a bin, the material slowly turns into a nutrient-rich addition that should be mixed into garden beds and potted plants to help grow healthy plants. While fertilizer adds nutrients to support plant growth, compost provides nutrients and improves soil structure and health.

The Benefits of Composting

Composting is a very basic process. You can put yard clippings into a pile and let nature do the rest in its own time. Compost will happen, yet it will happen very, very slowly. However, when you provide a balanced diet for the organisms that do the work of composting, you speed up the entire process.

Composting is a great way to deal with kitchen scraps and yard waste. It keeps that material out of the landfill, which is better for everyone. Not only that, it makes fantastic soil. Think of it as a vitamin boost for your garden.

Compost also helps the soil hold onto water, so you don’t have to water your plants as often. And it’s like a party for the soil’s helpful little bacteria and fungi. They munch on the organic matter and turn it into this super-rich food that plants love.

Why Use a Kitchen Compost Pail?

Not all kitchen compost pails are created equal. While some gardeners opt for a regular lidded coffee can to store kitchen scraps, a kitchen compost pail with a lid and a filter reduces odors.

A kitchen compost pail with a one-to-two-gallon capacity is a good size for the average household, making collecting kitchen scraps easy. By the time it is full of kitchen scraps, apple peelings, old lettuce leaves, tea bags, etc., it’s time for it to go into your outdoor compost bin, where it will mature. Too big of a container, and it’s likely to attract fruit flies.

If you have children, add emptying the compost pail to one of their household chores to help foster sustainability. Being a good steward of the earth means living responsibly and protecting our valuable resources to minimize waste and ensure a healthy planet for future generations. Small steps like utilizing a kitchen compost bin to collect your scraps are just one thing you can do to make a difference.

What to Compost

Compost may be made up of “brown waste,” such as leaves and branches, or “green waste,” such as fruit and vegetable scraps. The ideal mix is 2/3 “browns” and 1/3 “greens”.
- Vegetables
- Tea/coffee
- Nutshells
- Eggshells
- Fruit
- Houseplants
- Paper napkins
What Not to Compost
- Sawdust from treated wood
- Grease & oil
- Meat
- Fish
- Bones
- Dairy products
- Pet droppings
- Diseased or insect-infested plants
- Weeds with seeds
- Ashes
Embrace the Power of a Kitchen Compost Pail

Embracing composting in your gardening routine can connect you to ancient practices that promote sustainability and nurture both the plants and the planet. Composting is a tradition that has stood the test of time in gardening. Start composting today and watch your garden flourish! Take a look at our kitchen compost pails and outdoor composters and then shop one of our product retailers.

Keep this age-old tradition alive, and watch your garden thrive and help the environment.
February 17, 2025