How to Build a PVC Cold Frame | Miniature PVC Greenhouse Frame

In this video I show how I built a miniature greenhouse (cold frame) using PVC. This is a very simple build that anyone can do. And the best part is - all of the pieces are reusable so if the design doesn't work it can be easily changed! I will be using this miniature greenhouse (cold frame) over the next month to help give me seeds a head start this spring and protect them from an early frost.
You can find PVC and pipe cutters at any hardware store, but a few links to example products on Amazon are below. I did not purchase any of these, as all of my PVC and related items were purchased at a local big box hardware store.
Zantle Ratchet-type Tube and Pipe Cutter for Cutting O.D. PEX, PVC, and PPR Plastic Hoses and Plumbing Pipes up to 1-5/8" inches, Ideal for Home Working and Plumbers (orange): amzn.to/3sd1kli
SELLERS360 3Way 1 inch PVC Fittings Corner Cross Elbow 45 90 Degree for Greenhouse Shed Pipe, Tent Connection, Furniture Build Grade SCH40 [Pack of 10]: amzn.to/3q68Mgg
PVC Pipe Sch40 1-1/4 Inch (1.25) White Custom Length - 2FT: amzn.to/3nz7gS5
Music: Carmelized - Craig MacArthur (www.youtube.co...)
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Canon Rebel SL3 with 18-55mm Lens Black - amzn.to/3qi0x11
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ProMaster SDXC 64GB Advanced Secure Digital Memory Card - amzn.to/3bqnIC6
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DISCLAIMER: This description contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a small commission. This helps support the channel and allows me to continue to make videos like this. Thank you for the support!

[@pandarush.]

From this frame I can make a house for my cat! Love it.

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Hah! I never thought of that use before - clever!

[@goodgirlsguide]

Very similar to those cheap plastic green ones with a plastic cover that get below away in the wind. You could also fill the pipes with sand to weigh them down. Also glue corrugated plastic to cover.

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Definitely some similarities. But fully customizable!

[@ramonpalmero537]

just exactly what Iam looking for! well done.thank you

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Glad I could help!

[@adarshguptak]

I thought you'll show how to cling plastic on pvc, but you said "voila" and u showed plastic just lying on top of pvc.. Funny guy🤣

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Yeah I ran out of time...oops!

[@antiquegirl6505]

I like this idea, but I will use the idea to make a bigger covered fence for my raised bed garden. There are squirrels and groundhogs after my tomatoes, carrots, etc. Maybe after I get this made and use chicken-wire caging this summer, can use the framing and plastic next spring instead of cold-frames. Multi-purpose, yay! Thanks for the visual instructions!!

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Multi-purpose! I love that idea!

[@eddydevillelowks9499]

Just made mine for a low price thanks and very eazy and clear instructions. Using this concept im gana make a slightly bigger 1 the 1.5 version 😆.

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Glad it worked! Let me know how the larger version works out!

[@escapefromny2012]

Thank you for saying the width of the pipe. So many videos don't and sometimes you can't tell by looking from a distance.

[@RedfernFoodForest]

You're welcome!

[@sunflower6434]

Thanks for the idea, it’s great cause you can make bigger or as small as you want, and .... you can dissemble it - when it’s not in use.....mmmm, thinking now of a walk in greenhouse ???

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Yes I've wondered about making it walk-in size!

[@macdellajaa1317]

This is pretty cool

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Thanks!

[@katythriftyunder35homeowne57]

Just discovered your channel, thanks for this video! We are building our channel now too, I am excited to have found someone else who is getting started who has really great content. Best wishes- Katie, of the Thrifty Under 35 Homeowner Blog

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Thanks Katie! It's work but it's rewarding!

[@shayb3733]

Have you tried making this in a larger scale, like 5’x5’? I want to make one of these and cover it with thin net(to keep bugs out), for my plants that don’t need pollinators.

[@RedfernFoodForest]

No I haven't but I really should...if you try it let me know!

[@VeganRocker3]

Thanks for this simple and to the point! I want to make an indoor greenhouse for my plant stand in my sunroom that has no heat. One cold night here in Ohio all my indoor plants died as I was in the hospital and couldn’t turn on my baseboard heater. I needed to make my own size to fit around my plant stand but everything was large fancy outdoor plans or the small outdoor ones used cement and all indoor ones were repurposed dressers or cabinets lol. I just needed a simple pvc greenhouse visual to make my own and yours helped so much! Thank you!!

[@RedfernFoodForest]

You're welcome!

[@fishycomics]

Nicely done, I watched quite a few, and made my own measurements, I chose to support mine due to the upcoming winters. and make it out of 1/2 than larger. I have the same HTC home depot plastic that i will RETURN, will make my own clips. and right now, the greenhouse is on protecting the plant, thanks again. did a nice job demonstrating. i am going to use plastic clear garbage bags that did not break down at all

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Sounds like a good idea! The plastic I used wasn't a good choice.

[@inkablue23]

This is really useful, thank you :)

[@RedfernFoodForest]

I'm glad you found it useful!

[@JoshuaLevy123]

4 sticks shoved in the ground and plastic sheet draped over the top would work too

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Good point!

[@ailyhsaun]

What is the dimension of the garden this cold frame is to be used on? I am wondering as I am working with a 4ft by 8ft garden plot.

[@RedfernFoodForest]

The garden is much larger. This is just for a small plant or area.

[@frankfordification]

Got the same cutter. They work real well on 2 inch too.

[@RedfernFoodForest]

They are pretty useful

[@popcorn7657]

Thank you so much. I was trying to find a way to do my own frame. I like your scissor. My husband is not a handyman so i try by myself to figure it out. How much did it cost to make the frame only approx? Is Pvc pipes expensive? Merci

[@RedfernFoodForest]

I don't recall exactly, this was a couple of years ago. Probably $20-$40 USD depending on waste and what you choose for cover.

[@eleonoradillewaard8291]

That was an awesome tutorial. I making a A- frame out if PVC to put a tarp over it and set inside my little boat. The snow will slide right off that frame. Thanks for your witty mind!

[@RedfernFoodForest]

You are welcome!

[@gepliprl8558]

Nice why didn't I think about pipes! Good for my miniature orchids collections

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Miniature orchids? I've never heard of such a thing!

[@superspecialty5169]

Man oh man, just show us the finished project, we can figure it out! Also, the snaps are there, I just bought 30 of them!

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Nice!

[@DancingNotes95]

If I were to make this to keep indoors for a Vanilla bean plant, which requires high temp and humidity to produce Vanilla pods, how would you recommend I provide the heat and humidity to it?

[@RedfernFoodForest]

That question is beyond my knowledge to answer. But if you find out let me know because it would be awesome to have vanilla inside the house!

[@holymowmusichd8229]

DO U KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH PVC PIPE I WOULD REQUIRED FOR 1 ACRE LAND POLYHOUSE ??

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Exactly? A lot.

[@holymowmusichd8229]

@@RedfernFoodForest CAN U PLS TELL ME IN FEETS ??

[@osorios007]

CAN I TRIPLE ALL MEASURE AND GET SAME IDEA MUCH BIGGER, PL

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Most likely, yes.

[@Black_Rose5102]

I need to do this but in a bigger size ,to protect my succulents from the rain and cold ...Thank you so much !

[@RedfernFoodForest]

If you make a bigger one let me know how it turns out!

[@dimple.eatsss]

thank you for the vid! this was so simple to follow :D doing my own research rn for my hydroponics & would love to make a mini greenhouse too

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Awesome! Hydroponics sounds super cool but I'm not ready to commit!

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

I built a version of this. Superb! Thanks.

[@RedfernFoodForest]

I'm glad you found it helpful!

[@stephenking149]

Thanks for wxplaining this in a very simple way to follow,

[@RedfernFoodForest]

You're welcome!

[@rosecreatorstudio]

Great idea! Thanks! I'll create a bigger one for my herbs

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Bigger is better!

[@janeth4121]

good to see you are staying busy!

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Making the best of a crazy situation!

[@dkvikramgaming3505]

Any Ryan school student here

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Eh?

[@MD-yx4ev]

Excellent tutorial. Thanks!

[@RedfernFoodForest]

You're welcome!

[@eidybastidas4554]

Best video

[@9mccloud]

Very nice and neat. Thank you for sharing 🪴

[@RedfernFoodForest]

You are welcome!

[@lauram5518]

Great video. I am now a subscriber!

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Glad you enjoyed it - more to come in the future!

[@Chris-uh3cm]

awesome vid bro. good personality

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Thanks!

[@taranbam]

Thanks for sharing your amazing ideas

[@RedfernFoodForest]

You're welcome!

[@VictorianMaid99]

love this Mark !

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Thanks!

[@Jay-wi5gh]

Thank you for this video!!

[@RedfernFoodForest]

You're welcome!

[@tdeaux]

Clever, my man. Thank you.

[@RedfernFoodForest]

You're welcome!

[@acts.412]

This is so good. Thank you 💯🙏

[@RedfernFoodForest]

You're welcome!

[@pandarush.]

Built mine and love it! How were u able to figure the lengths to cut so there'd be no waste???

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Math!

[@pandarush.]

@@RedfernFoodForest Math....I was miserable at it throughout school and worse now. Have a formula I can use? Thanks for making this video!

[@pandarush.]

@@RedfernFoodForest How about this...if I made the length 36", width 15", with same height as yours, how could I make it with no waste (give or take some inches as needed)? Thanks again!

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Not off the top of my head sorry! I made this video a while ago...

[@naturallybeautiful2027]

Thank you so much for this video. Is was easy to follow and do. I added a few extra inches to make mine bigger because it is for my small dog. Again thank you.

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Bigger is better!

[@annisasatyanti1037]

How much temperature difference this can achieve?

[@RedfernFoodForest]

I'm not exactly sure. Depends on wind, clouds, etc. But it should help those borderline cases!

[@chrisryckman1138]

You forgot to put a price of.pipe in the of the wall and the bottom of the roof

[@RedfernFoodForest]

I did?

[@TYT695]

You are a genius bro..thank you so very much!!

[@RedfernFoodForest]

You are welcome!

[@rubyewiggins4926]

You would need something to hold it down if there are high winds

[@RedfernFoodForest]

True!

[@HELVIS.]

is the 1inch pvc tube & conectors expensive?

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Not really. There are some links in the description. Or you can check your local hardware store.

[@aileen848]

It’s amazing!!! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😃

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Thanks

[@sleeplessinthecarolinas8118]

Cool cold frame!

[@bellaasmr6711]

Kudos for the video content! Sorry for butting in, I would appreciate your initial thoughts. Have you tried - *WoodBlueprints. Com* It is a great one of a kind guide for building better sheds and woodworking without the normal expense. Ive heard some decent things about it and my cousin finally got astronomical success with it.?

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Thanks! It is simple but it works!

[@RedfernFoodForest]

I have not, thanks for the info

[@mojojojo1095]

Looks more like a junkyard !

[@RedfernFoodForest]

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

[@k.chriscaldwell4141]

Superb. Thanks.

[@RedfernFoodForest]

You're welcome!

[@alexjaworski2205]

How much ?

[@RedfernFoodForest]

How much did it cost to build? Very little, it's just PVC...maybe $10 - $15? Depending on the plastic you use for cover, and how much you buy, the cost will go up.

[@bellaasmr6711]

Kudos for the video content! Sorry for butting in, I would appreciate your initial thoughts. Have you tried - *WoodBlueprints. Com* It is a great one of a kind guide for building better sheds and woodworking without the normal expense. Ive heard some decent things about it and my cousin finally got astronomical success with it.?

[@adolfhitmaker8639]

Let me guess......gonna grow soy beans.

[@RedfernFoodForest]

Soy beans? Not sure...green beans and black beans? Definitely!

[@goodgirlsguide]

Omg is this where you hit the idea? kzbin.info/www/bejne/joikl6ipm7xnZ9U

[@RedfernFoodForest]

No but that's cool too!