As I do not have a green house yet I was thinking about building a cold frame so to help me next year, to get my plants off to an early start.
1st Question. Is this a worth while project?
2nd Question. If yes what sort of size? I was thinking about 6x3 about 2 feet high at the rear. With three doors.
Any thoughts.
Gary
Try this. Hope it helps. ;)
If you can access old windows they make great cold frames... I have two lovingly known as the coffins because I can be laid out flat in them and one that did about ten years before the glass finally gave in! Compared to the flimsy one I paid £25 for last year build your own any time!
8)
Go around to your local double glazing firm and if it is one of those small family type business's they will most probably be giving away all the old stuff they take out.
They have to pay to dump it. I 'found' some nice old metal framed windows still with glazing alongside of their skip. A small 'drink' helps to get some good ones.
The size of the coldframe generally depends entirely on the size of the windows/door you are able to scrounge. The chap on the plot next to mine did nothing more than place a free window on top of about four courses of loose (free) bricks. I might venture to suggest you don't put too much effort or expense into building one to begin with because, as with greenhouses, after a couple of years it won't be big enough. ;D
Geoff.
Thanks for your replies.
I have all the materials apart from the glass to make one very similar to the one kt lawson posted but instead of a door was going to make a timber frame.
No real outlay on materials and I need something to keep me busy as my plot is to wet to get on and I'll need something to keep me busy else girlfriend will expect me to finish loft conversion I started last year.
Gary
As a cheaper alternative - staple clear plastic betwen 2 1inch thick frames. Then rest it on a large wooden box frame. It can be as big or as small as you like.
We have had a Focus DIY store sale leaflet through the door, and whilst it is a bit taller than a coldframe, they are selling the Multigrow 2000 4 tier stand, with plastic covering, and removable shelves for £12.49. We have bought several of these in the past, and they are wonderful. Worth every penny!!
Quote from: valmarg on January 03, 2007, 21:40:59
We have had a Focus DIY store sale leaflet through the door, and whilst it is a bit taller than a coldframe, they are selling the Multigrow 2000 4 tier stand, with plastic covering, and removable shelves for £12.49. We have bought several of these in the past, and they are wonderful. Worth every penny!!
I have also bought 2 of these in the past. They swayed in the wind & when secured the wind forced the material to rip.
How do you stop your DIY frame lights going walkies in the high winds KT?
???
Didnt have them at lottie. They were in back garden :(
QuoteHow do you stop your DIY frame lights going walkies in the high winds KT?
Elastic bunjies?
I have one of these in the garden and I placed two breeze blocks on the bottom shelf.
Frame still there but lost the cover, am hoping to get a new cover and use the old one as the top of my cold frame stapled onto the top/lid.
Gary
My old frame is now a shelving unit in the lottie shed.
Snap KT! Green tubular ?? ;D
This is mine;
In winter
(http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Coldframe/Coldframe.jpg)
In Spring
(http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Coldframe/Coldframe%202.JPG)
In summer;
(http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Coldframe/Coldframe%203.jpg)
fantastic TG :D :D :D
Here is a picture of the one my DH made for me last October
Jitterbug
These are my monstrosities, but thery're great.
The one on the right is half finished just having the back made, its going to be double glazed using plastic frame windows that I got off a dump, therefore it will be HOT in summer.
Total price.... £3.99 for screws.
(http://homepage.ntlworld.com/stan.shepherd/downloads/frame2.jpg)
Nicework Stan.
;D