cold frames

Has anyone ideas about a cold frame I can put together without construction? I already know about straw bales and glass or plastic on top.Any other ideas? My husband and I are not able to build the usual kind. Thanks in advance.

You can dig a hole out of the side of a south facing hill, and then simply cover the hole with an old window. I built two cold frames this way last fall and they worked very well!

Dave

I acquired free wood pallets from local lumber company-bottoms allow free flow of water and soil downward and sides are closed. Can move them out of the way when not in use.

Dave,
That sounds like a great idea! What do you put inside the hole: dirt? Nothing? Black liner?
Thanks in advance.

Marclay,
Thanks for the reply. I have access to wood pallets, but the sides are only about 6" high. Are yours higher? And do you bury them or leave them at ground level?
Thanks in advance

Oh -- look at these plans: http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/tips/25tip9.html ...It's just plywood and you cut the pieces so the notches fit together. You can just set it up and tear it down to store when you're done. You staple plastic to the top for the window...It seems like a simple, practical design! :o)

Marclay,
Thanks for the idea. My husband is not able to build anything and I have a broken pelvis for the near future, but maybe next year! Meanwhile, I think I'll go with the straw and used window idea.

Hi, Runew. We've used hay bales for the last three winters and it's worked great. My husband came up with an idea that really gave the plants a boost thru the really cold months. He put a thick layer of fresh horse manure in the bottom covered by several inches of sand. The heat generated by the manure got our roses thru with the best root growth I have ever seen. The tops didn't grow but the roots more that tripled.

Thanks Rosie163. That's a great suggestion. More on e-mail.

Hi Runew,

Have you thought of using clear plastic roofing material (you know, the corrugated stuff). It comes in various widths and lengths. I use 3 foot by 6 foot sheets. Bend them into a semi-circle (along the 6 foot length !!) and place them over the line of seedlings, crops, etc.. Hold the bent sheets in place with wooden or metal stakes driven in at approx 18 inch intervals along either side of the length. If you want to make it wind proof, drill holes on the plastic (about 6 inches in from the edge) and anchor them down that way and place pieces of wood or plastic over the ends.

Hope that helps

El Tel

Eltel,
That's really a good idea. Again, I can't do things like this until I'm 100% back on my feet, but maybe that'll work for next year. Thanks for helping!

I love the idea of using bales of straw for the sides and I could put an old window over the top and the window slides open that I could reach in. And, the manure on the bottom is so cute. Must have been the smell alone that made those roses grow jumbo roots.

Now, my question is at what temperature can you put stuff in the cold frame? Anyone?

Thanks so much

Darlene

The only thing I raise in my cold frames is tomatoes.....I have planted the seeds directly in them on April 1st for the past two years, with great success. Of course, I would imagine it would depend on your climate as to when the best time is for everyone. I am in zone 6 in WV.

Darlene
It depends on what you are wanting to grow as to when you can put it in. My cold frame never got below 28 degrees last year. I had lettuce, iceplant, spinach and several other items in it during our coldest months of December and January.
I placed some seedling in the cold frame and some inside to see what they would do. The only one I am unhappy with is the parsley. Aparently it was cold enough that the parsley decided to flower this first year instead of waiting till next year.
Live and learn!