Just read as an idea for the cheapest coldframe: Dig a 3 ft. deep hole and cover with a window or glass door. The sides provide the warmth though a heat pad for bottom heat would be needed to germinate seed. It sounds much easier than building a framework. and trying to keep it from leaking air though the plants would only get overhead sunlight.
Me thinks they'd wellies, too.
our slugs and snails would have a field day, also, wouldn't they get leggy ? :)
Hmmm, may be worth a try, this.......
The best ideas are usually the simplest, after all.
Make it wide to stop em getting leggy?
It took me 6 weeks to dig a 2 ft deep hole for the asparagus bed so i really cant see the point in heavy clay and after a couple of weeks i can just see it becomming a pond :)
I might have a problem with a 3ft deep hole.....my arms are only 2ft long ;D ;D ;)
hehehe
Grannie Annie
It sounds like a good'ish idea - although I think that it may just let all the plants go mouldy!
I would think that with the moisture in the surrounding earth walls may be too much. Also with wooden walls they are at least insulated to a degree!
What about cutting up some of that white stuff (insulating stuff that is used for packing can't remember the name for the life of me! MY AGE!!) up and around the walls with the sheet of glass on the top?
Just an idea - off the cuff - withoug much thought gone into it!!
Old Bird
::)
It hadn't occurred to me the problems of tending something that deep ::) lying down (in the dirt) on a cold muddy day--- not to mention getting back up!
The Americans do this kind of thing for storing veg through the Winter; though without the glass top.
Why not ask in the large stores if they have any polystyrene that they use for packing large white goods etc. You could make a box with a bottom, use either long nails or twiglets to secure the sides together. Then add your glass top. The whiteness will act as a reflector and the polystyrene will be great for insulation.
Lauren :)
Quote from: Lauren S on March 04, 2008, 22:08:27
Why not ask in the large stores if they have any polystyrene that they use for packing large white goods etc. You could make a box with a bottom, use either long nails or twiglets to secure the sides together. Then add your glass top. The whiteness will act as a reflector and the polystyrene will be great for insulation.
Lauren :)
Now there's a good idea. :)
The business about lying flat on the ground to pick my lettuce is the stumbling block. :-\
Coldframes are easy to make, honest. Its basically a rectangular box with the roof angled. The lid does nt even have to be hinged, it can have strips of wood that stop it sliding down and a couple of props to hold it open. Use plastic rather than glass if you want or an old window. Go on try it. OR ask for one on freecycle. Even an old cupboard on its back could be adapted.
I have a coldframe of sorts made of scavenged pipe frame covered with a glass window and bubblewrap and plastic. I was looking for alternatives since I'm the "builder" in the family ::)
Today I moved the "cold frame" to a pile of fresh horse manure. I'm eager to see what sort of temp it has by morning and hope it gets a ragin' fe-vah ;D