Coldframes

[aquilegia]

I'm thinking of getting a coldframe.

What type is best? Wooden sides or glass sides? Plastic top or glass top?

Where should I put it (sun or shade?)

I'll be using it for germinating and bringing on young plants, hardening off, overwintering slightly tender things.

[Kerry]

hi,
my coldframes are homemade. they are made from wood, the tops being the glass doors of an old cupboard.
the sides are wood, which i consider to have been a mistake-the only light coming from the glass top. therefore i have to watch that things don't become 'leggy'.
i'd consider carefully the depth you want them to be, i made mine too deep originally, and cannibalised an old worktop to make an interior shelf. however the shelf is removable, for storage eg. compost underneath, so it didn't turn out badly.
i wouldn't put them in shade-not for germination purposes, or for growing on. i would treat its postition in the garden as though it were a greenhouse, which i suppose it is a miniature version of-just unheated.
if you are making your own, make sure you can ventilate them.
hope that's provided some food for thought!

[Palustris]

Supurb advice, all I would add is that we originally had plastic lids (well PVC if you want to be pedantic), but we found that the wind just blew them open, or ripped it out. If you are putting the frames anywhere where children may fall onto the lids consider toughened glass for the lid, or cover the glass with netting, it stops the hand going through and being sliced.  Found that one out the hard way I might add.

[aquilegia]

Very useful Kerry - thanks. I don't think I'll make one. I really am bad at carpentry (I'm amazed my compost bins are still standing!)

Palustris - hadn't thought of the weight of plastic. Thanks for that. THere are no kids in my garden, although Mr Aqui's prety accident prone!

I'm conflicted now, though anyway, can't decide between asking for a coldframe or a breadmaker for Christmas. oh heck, decisions.

[Hugh_Jones]

If you wish to use the frame for protecting tender plants in winter then wooden sides provide far better insulation than glas (brick is better still), and glas provides better insulation than plastic, unless you wish to invest in twin or triple-walled polycarbonate.

[Sarah-b]

I'm really thinking of making a coldframe at some point this winter. And have looked on the Kays Horticulture Web site for ridgid plastic for the top. There seems to be plenty of options - its just finding the time to do it.

Aquilegia - a coldframe would be a great xmas pressie - But Breadmakers are great gadgets too. Have you got the low-down on what sort of breadmaker to get? Mine's great, but my friend has one with an in-built timer-controlled dispenser for nuts/seeds etc - and that must be really super!

Sarah.

[aquilegia]

I have finally made the decision to ask for a breadmaker for xmas and build a coldframe, or at least attempt to! (I cannot build a breadmaker, afterall!)

Sarah - I want one of those ones with the seed dispenser, plus a delay timer (I have already been dreaming about all the fancy breads I can make and putting it on in the morning to come home to the smell of warm bread and eating warm bread for dinner. mmm!)

[Sarah-b]

Sounds like a good decision.
The most outrageous thing I made in mine was a cheesy brioche. I have never seen anything disappear as fast as that!

[sandersj89]

On saterday I caught site of some from Hanicks on E-Bay. They normally retail in my local garden centres for approx £45. I bid £12 and got mine. Delivery is £6 I think.

These are hardwood wood frame and UPVc sides and top. The double glazed type.

Might be worth a look as they had 12 in stock I think.

Jerry