I just bet the veggie patch.

I probably need my head checked, because I just invested a decent chunk of change in a 4 x 6 patch of dirt.  Some of you may remember some ramblings last year about my plans for a permanent coldframe, one in which I could successfully grow greens in for 3 out of the 4 seasons, or one that  I could screen and attempt to grow cole crops that don't get eaten by worms.  Can't do a greenhouse, and I can't do a hoop house.......but I can do a tricked out coldframe.

Mini steel hoops, aluminum shade fabric (that will both retain heat in cooler months, and more importantly, reduce temperature up to 10 degrees in the warmer months),  heated soil cables, and kelp enriched coir blocks are all on their way to me.  Here is the mini hoop system shown below (we will construct our own bed):

(photo couretsy of FarmTek)

The hoops come with a section of greenhouse fabric and clips.  The steel tubes should stand up to snow and wind.  The heated cable is run 3-4 inches below the soil and turns itself on when the soil goes below 74 degrees.  I really liked this set up for a number of reasons.  First, no glass.  After having a storm window shatter in the garden this winter I am all set with trying to use glass on a coldframe.  I also liked the height of the structure, should be easy to work in and access.  Tall enough to tuck in a pepper plant at season's end to ripen under cover.  Heated soil just gives me a little something extra to manipulate the seasons with.  I believe I have achieved garden Nirvana.