Siting a Cold Frame

[Garden Manager]

Could someone advise me of the best/ideal siting for a cold frame please?

I have just got myself a new one and am trying to decide where to put it. With my previous frame I had to move it around a bit, as i found that where it was warm in winter was too hot in summer and vice versa. However with this new frame I want to set it up on a solid paved base (to try and beat the slugs and snails), so naturaly I want to find the right spot and keep it there all year.

I am thinking maybe to have it in a sheltered but less sunny spot as a compromise.  Any thoughts on this. Where do those of you with cold frames have yours sited?  Thanks

[Garden Manager]

[adam04]

south facing on a south wall i think.

south facing to get the maximum sun and even distribution of it through the cold frame. South wall to gain the extra heat in the winter. and protect form cold winds.

[supersprout]

Hi GC, I'm about to put up a cold frame, and will do as A. suggests and put it against a south facing wall. I probably won't use it at all in high summer, just at each end of the summer to extend the season and over winter, was the logic. Will Wait and See if the theory holds up ::)

[Hyacinth]

I've 3 south facing & the 4th faces east (only place I could site it)...the 3 south facing I use for starting off runner/french beans etc., then for growing toms in pots with the lids off during the summer,  & the large 4th I used for growing a cucumber plant last year. All works well.

[Garden Manager]

Been thinking about using an area behind a south facing border. Here I have a graveled area between the border and the veg plot. its quite sheltered and gets plenty of light in winter but is shaded by deciduous shrubs in the border in the middle part of the day in summer. Of ccourse being deciduous these plants wont shade the area in winter. The frame itself would face in a northerly direction, but there should be enough light and i did have my previous frame not far away for many years, all be it with less summer shade.

Does this sound a good compromise?