Topic: Cold frame building advice please..

[Ceri]

I have lots of decking offcutsaround, and the ubiquitous scaffodling boards, and want to make them into a coldframe - I have a hammer, nails and a saw - what I do with them I have no idea - does someone have a nice easy way of making a coldframe that doesn't involve geometry and special bits of metal??!  Cheers

[gavin]

I'm thinking about doing the same - and have got as far as looking out for the window frame or whatever to put on the top.  And then I'll just build a box to fit - sturdy enough to stand (I hope), but light enough to move (even more hopeful!).

Looking at the cold frames on our site, you are allowed a fair bit of ingenuity and creativity for the box!

All best - Gavin

[Doris_Pinks]

I have the window frame, but lacking the wood!
Dotty P.

[gavin]

Then it's a skip-raid, Doris-Pinks!

Or pallets - our local off-licence and Halfords are good sources.

Or - if you're like the local lads - wait till the council board up a house for demolition and rip the wood off.  It's happened to each of the houses in my street due to be demolished.  It's apparently lads building pigeon sheds!

All best - Gavin

[Beer_Belly]

There's a clause in our rules that states that we're not allowed to use old windows or doors on our plots.
I assume they don't want a lot of building site / shanty town constructions appearing.
Luckily I've inherited about 20 offical ones.

[Ceri]

Our lads must be harder than your lads - our local council uses metal shutters!!

Our site abounds with interesting structures made out of bits of doors, old double glazing etc.  One guy has two old bath tubs he grows strawberries in, so I think our rules are either different or ignored - most of my neighbours have been there since before the Boer War, so I think it would take more than association rules to change their ways!

[Doris_Pinks]

Well, the offie is a great idea!! our household does give them enough business to keep them going! Top idea Gavin I shall enquire next time I am in!  

[legless]

aha! another use for the large amount of windows the previous occupant has hoarded in the shed! fantastic. not sure a stained glass coldframe will be much good though so i reckon that'll have to be a feature window in the shed  ;D

[Ceri]

stained glass coldframe - now that's how to upstage the neighbours!!

[carloso]

ingrediants :- 1 45 gallon oil drum (clean)
                      3 pieces if glass
                      1 Grinder borrowed stolen or owned
                       1 Drill or hammer and punch
                       30 mins of free time
                       3 wooden wedges for ventilation gap
                      2 drum sticks (all else fails item)

Method :) :-       Cut oil drum into 3 equal pieces and remove sharp burrs (fettle up)

drill or hammer punch holes in 2 end pieces

Fill with soil part way insert plants and place glass on top and use till disintgrates

Should you get bored or stuck in some place of this recipe   >:(  use as drum (all else fails item) to atrract attention of some one with better cheaper idea !!
:D

[Ceri]

thanks carloso, love the idea - I'm 'playing' on various building sites today - I'm sure I can help tidy a site by taking a drum off their hands!  I'll let you know how it goes.  Round cold frames - very cool, very Llewellyn-Bowen.

[merv]

Hi guys  :D

The secret to a good cold frame is that it is light..and ermm...light and...ummm .......light again.

Thin wood frame covered in plastic  and another thin wood frame covered in plastic for the top.  Ifn your posf you can also have a hinge.