Here are some instructions for building a cold frame using an old window:
Canadian Gardening magazine
Canadian HomeWorkshop magazine
(These are the same basic instructions, just geared to two different audiences.)
Do we have what it takes to build one of these?
Illustration from http://www.canadiangardening.com.
Some cold frames make use of existing garden soil for their base. The Seasoned Gardener has detailed instructions for preparing the soil and building a cold frame to go on it.
Gardening by the Yard provides a neat idea that wouldn't work in my small suburban backyard, but might be good for people who have a lot of land and easy access to hay bales. Basically, you prepare the soil, build a wall of hay bales surrounding it, then lay a sheet of plexiglass or similar transparent material on top of the hay bales.
One of my personal favourites, ToolGirl Mag Ruffman also gives very detailed instructions for constructing a cold frame using an old window. This example contains a wooden floor and is meant to be used with pots rather than sitting on a prepared soil base.
ToolGirl Mag Ruffman with Her Newly Built Cold Frame
Photo from http://www.homeenvy.com.
These next two designs are more complex, but I love them because they are cold frames raised on tables, serving double duty as a potting shelf or bench.
Ron Hazelton has a relatively straightforward design, a cold frame raised on four legs with a simple shelf below. (The only thing with this one is that it has a flat top rather than being angled to take advantage of solar gain.)
The Western Red Cedar Lumber Association shows a rather more elaborate design allowing for two layers of pots behind a steeply angled pane. Like the previous design, this one also includes a shelf below.
I also looked into cold frames available for purchase. There are a few basic models that are carried by many online garden stores (not just the ones I happen to show here). Here is the most comprehensive listing of products I was able to find online. This page is not bad either, since it shows the most popular models of cold frames without any additional related items.
As a result of my research, I have plenty of ideas to work with. Now I hope I have the motivation to make it happen this year.
6 comments:
What a nice idea to use an old window! Thanks for all these interesting links! I have a self-made cold frame, too. I could try to find a photo if you are interested in.
Good luck for that project, keep us posted!
It will be an interesting winter project. I will be watching to see which one you decide to build.
Very intersting, but I have only a flower-Garden, I have no legumes en masse.And my boarders are full, I do not need new seedlings.
And you? Daylilies?
Sigrun
Sigrun, it is for winter protection of plants, like my Lewisia Cotyledon from the previous post. I don't have a lot of room (or sunny windows) indoors. I also want to have my 'Topsy Turvy' echeveria for next year. I could buy new plants, but keeping the existing ones alive is both challenging and economical.
And I'm sure I could use a cold frame for daylily seedlings, too. ;-)
that would look so awesome in your garden, especially if you find an old one. if i had something to protect that bailey hasn't trashed, i'd have a competition with you to see who gets it done first.
My husband made the one with the hay bales and plexiglass last fall. The spinach didn't germinate much, the mesclun mix did well, but we found we didn't walk out to the garden much in the cold and snow. In springtime a rabbit found it's way in and had some nice meals :) Hope you get yours done. I'll be interested to see which one you choose. I'd like to carry a few plants over too, to save the cost of buying new ones.
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