Can anyone either recommend a decent brand(s) of cold frame, or direct me toward some simple directions to build my own?
(If I should post this elsewhere please just let me know.)
Thanks!! :)
Cold frame recommendations?
They have some really nice ones at Gardener's supply, don't know how much you'd want to spend though.
My dad made some with heavy duty plastic stapled to bendable wood pieces similiar to this with pvc
http://www.ehow.com/how_4892745_make-cold-frame-out-pvc.html
Thanks for the site flowajen.
Thank you! :)
No prob
I'm delighted that this thread got started, can't wait to see the input! I've been agonizing over this for ages...
Years ago I had a cold frame the size of a window sash, dug down about 2'. It was dirt bottom, plywood lined sides that stuck up 6" or so above ground. The front was lower than the back 3 or 4" and the sides angled so the top was on a slant. I had an automatic solar arm that raised the window for ventilation before things cooked in hot sun. I put everything out there when it was still quite cold...especially tomatoes loved it. By planting out time (z6) I had strong sturdy plants already beginning to flower. I also put 1/2 gal soda bottles filled with water across the back and sides to warm up during the day and mitigate the cold at night.
I can't decide now whether to go for the homemade look or opt for one of tne prefab neater models. I've been all over the web. If I buy one, it will probably be the Juwel-- which can be found much cheaper if you google it and compare prices on the sites that come up. I got a lot of info just googling 'cold frame,' too.
Pam, I just bought this....i'll let ya know how I like it.
http://cgi.ebay.com/Cold-Frame-Poly-Tex-Cold-Frame-Greenhouse-Kit-HG3301-/170593129163?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item27b82492cb
I love cold frames. Our neighbor when I was a kid grew everything, he had a couple cold frames. One was half into the ground he could walk down into when he raised the top sections. Another smaller one was made of discarded storm windows sat on the ground.
I used the smaller one as a model for mine when I moved to this house. It was made from scavenged material because I enjoy making stuff for free. I'm also the cheapest so & so around, lol. The cold frame evolved as parts were replaced but it always accommodated at least 7 flats.
This was the last one before spring overhaul 2005. Pretty isn't it? lol. It sits in the back yard, used for only a few weeks, who needs pretty. I don't grow enough to warrant one any more.
Andy P
Mine looked very much like that except it was sunk down, which may have kept it warmer, and the top was a window sash which was left over from a renovation.
I also had an automatic opener, which worked perfectly when I wasn't there during the week. I grew the best looking tomatoes! LOL. I'm hoping to do it this year too.
Pixie, have you gotten yours yet? Does it seem substantial enough, or do you think it's flimsy? That would be my only worry. It's a great price, I've been looking all over the net.
Haven't gotten it yet but got the shipping notice so it's on the way!
Here are some good links:
Plans for a beautiful wood cold frame with hinged covers at
http://www.sacgardens.org/articlesGarden/building_coldframes.pdf
A frame based on PVC pipe
http://www.scribd.com/doc/14691455/ColdFrame-Plant-Holder
(their method of attaching clear film with PVC clips is interesting--you could make a cover for a wood frame cheaply that way)
Some DG articles:
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2248/
http://davesgarden.com/guides/articles/view/2356/
and one of the many sites selling cold frame plans if you didn't like the others:
http://www.woodworkersworkshop.com/resources/index.php?cat=388
And often wonder if one could just make a box with a clear top and tilt up the whole thing for watering, instead of having to make a hinged top?
Don my Dad made those where you picked the entire thing up.
You can make a very inexpensive one using the long bales of straw. Just arrange the bales in a rectangular border and place your plants inside. A couple of old storm windows or just a simple wooden frame with heavy duty plastic stapled onto it for the top. It works very well, the straw is a good insulator.
Pixie, have you used yours yet? What do you think of it so far? I'm still on the fence between prefab and home made, but I already bought the automatic opener.
We're opening the house this weekend and I'm moving lots of stuff off the city windowsill to the cooler house. I will also be WSing and starting lots more stuff at the house, so I'll need a cold frame very soon!
This is the cold frame that I put in my garden today. I got the display model from Maine Garden Products at the Boston Flower Show at a great discount.
Wow! That looks great!
Nice GH, I believe they are in Friendship, Maine about 20-30 minutes from here.
http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/PBartlett/-strse-Cold-Frame/Categories.bok
I haven't had time to put mine out yet....had an illness, another benefit supper and a birth here. It's been a busy few weeks!
I was on the verge of building four cold frames when I was seduced by this pop-up planthouse:
http://www.lowes.com/pd_231-10155-FHPH150_0__?productId=3199759&Ntt=plalnthouse&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl__0__s%3FNtt%3Dplalnthouse
While it's not quite as easy to put together as advertised, it does look as though it will handle a ton of my seedlings and will save $$ on the electric bill. It appears to be sturdy enough to last several years, but that remains to be seen.