One year I made a cold frame by using leftover potting soil bags filled with compost for the walls and an old glass table top for the lid. Lovely, unfrozen lettuce in the middle of winter!
@GrowVeg6 жыл бұрын
That's a really frugal way of doing it - love it!
@summerhoffman87944 жыл бұрын
I grew a cold frame this year with my dad, and for school I am doing a non-fiction report on cold frames because my grandparents homeschool me. I love to grow lettuce in it and the buds are already starting to come up. I am so excited!
@summerhoffman87944 жыл бұрын
i meant to say built in the beginning
@GrowVeg4 жыл бұрын
That's really super Summer! You're doing a fantastic job. Please do keep us updated as to progress of your report. Good luck with it - and very happy gardening!
@ericwhitfield84752 жыл бұрын
Three points I would add. I would have used wood glue to make it with as well as screws. You need to select the right type of wood because pine for example would rot quickly if left outside so applying a water proof varnish to the out side exposed wood will prolong the life of the cold frame, use a hard wood. I think you should have mentioned about securing from strong wind, especially the lids but a good video with useful information. Best wishes.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for those extra tips Eric - great point about the wood glue and preserving, that would definitely have helped.
@Merzui-kg8dsАй бұрын
About the wind...I agree. Most cold frames I see, both homemade and for online purchase, would be blown downrange in a heartbeat where I live.
@progtom75854 жыл бұрын
I made my own coldframe from old scrap wood i had laying around, plus some corrugated polycarbonate sheet. I used corrugated sheet instead of flat as my site is windy and i wanted the sheet to be as strong as possible. Dont forget to get galvanised or stainless screws, they wont rot as quickly.
@GrowVeg4 жыл бұрын
Good tip re the screws there Tom, thank you.
@jonathanryals9934 Жыл бұрын
I made some with shower doors, plastic, and a couple 2x4s. I leaned the short 2x4 pieces against the back of the barn at 45° spaced so the edges of the glass fit on it. I covered the inside with plastic spread and draped over the 2x4s, then filled the bottom with my growing soil (so the glass would rest on it and reach 5he top of the 2x4s). The flats are sprouting super-fast! It was just a couple weeks ago I made it I am sold 100% on the idea.
@GrowVeg Жыл бұрын
What a smart move - very resourceful and such a good-sized cold frame. :-)
@captaindingbat Жыл бұрын
This is great. We’ve got brand new allotments in the village and we are a bit wary of poly tunnels as it’s a bit breezy sometimes (bottom of an open field) so would rather invest money in these rather than a flimsy tunnel that might not last a harsh winter!
@lesliekendall56682 жыл бұрын
I'm making 2 cold frames out of a couple wood cabinets (each about the size of a chest) and old windows. If the angle is that important, I'll put some bricks under the back. I suppose I'll also have to make sure the soil is level after placing the bricks. Ah well, what can I say? I'm a girl and would make it out of duct tape if I could. 😆 I'm making them for winter beets, carrots, and turnips.
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Hope your cold frame project goes well and you get a super crop. :-)
@Dreadgnot7 жыл бұрын
I don't use treated wood around plants I'll eat. It's not necessary unless it's buried (at least here in Colorado) and the chemicals can leach out. Cedar or redwood is a better choice IMO.
@chrisdahl8647 жыл бұрын
If you can afford them.
@GrowVeg7 жыл бұрын
Cedar or redwood is definitely a longer lasting option.
@Sydnee887 жыл бұрын
You can get scrap lumber at a recycle center. Or use a local advertising site that's free (like Craig's List) and ask for some free lumber to make garden boxes with.
@p_roduct9211 Жыл бұрын
Is there real danger from chemically treated or pallet wood? I am a frugal beginner and looking to have a proof of concept cold frame for a maximum of 2 years at my rental. I will take it apart before moving, but for 2 seasons I don't see a 'danger' but maybe there are very harsh chemicals I am not aware of that may leech
@Alexxx---101 Жыл бұрын
@@p_roduct9211 You should try and stay away from using treated wood. I did make one cold frame from pallet wood but I lined the inside with old roofing slate so the soil didn't have direct contact with the wood.
@janicealderson4329 Жыл бұрын
We made one over the last 2 days in week after Xmas - great job! Thanks, no salvaged items as not so easy to get anything old in France no skips anywhere and the tip burns everything and won't let you take away but can't wait to get it used it is 130cm long and 70 cm wide.
@GrowVeg Жыл бұрын
So pleased you have managed to make one. It will prove so useful!
@46FreddieMercury912 жыл бұрын
A good idea is to paint the inside of the frame white to help reflect the light. You could just use water based emulsion
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Great idea!
@HadassahHaman7 ай бұрын
YAY!!!!! Great video!❤ I'm soooo doing this.😊
@andrewgraves40264 ай бұрын
Consistently great vids! I wish I wasn’t so late to the party - subscribed just recently and here you cover a topic I want…years ago. Keep going.
@GrowVeg4 ай бұрын
Thanks so much Andrew. And welcome to the channel! :-)
@Lexicondiablo5 жыл бұрын
Your glazed roof will trap rainwater runoff between the glass and lower frame leading to the wood rotting very quickly. Better to allow the glazing to only be sandwiched in the frame on three side and to allow the glazing to overhang the lower wooden support. The glass will be secured by adhesive sealant or polycarbonate can be drilled and screwed.
@GrowVeg5 жыл бұрын
Thanks for the advice Nick.
@DebRoo11 Жыл бұрын
This is the only way i can grow thinga like spinach and bok choy without it bolting. Our spring weather between freezing cold and too hot is never long enough to harvest before bolting
@jawjagrrl7 жыл бұрын
depending on where you live, cypress is another good option.
@JTvlogs9842 жыл бұрын
If I make one of these I think I'll paint it with Linseed oil!!
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Smart move!
@howardhuggins67447 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the suggestions, advice and instructional video. I'm fortune in that a friend gave me MANY (10-15?) glass panels which once went around his jacuzzi enclosure, but at the time I hadn't and real good idea (s) about what to do with them. NOT ANY MORE! Now all I need is to acquire the lumber and screws with which to build the boxes. Then I need some decent soil and I'll be ready to go. Two questions, if I may ask. 1. Do you recommend placing small holes on each end or side and cover them with a screen that is small enough to keep out bigger pests like birds but also large enough to permit the entry/exit of bees, etc., as desired, and, 2. Would it be advised to incorporate some kind of grow lamp that puts out a modicum of warmth, along with lighting to help on dreary days and if so, where might I find information on the size, wattage and times it should be used? Obviously, not knowing my specifics it would be difficult to make solid suggestions but if you could speak in general terms it would be most helpful. Again, thank you for your time and efforts to educate your viewers (and fans!). 8-)
@GrowVeg7 жыл бұрын
Hi Howard. I wouldn't normally say a net or screen cover is necessary. Birds rarely climb into a cold frame that is partially covered. However, if you found this to become a problem you could cover your cold frame with netting of a big enough mesh size to let in bees etc., but this really shouldn't be necessary. Cold frames are really halfway between a greenhouse and the outdoors. They are really used just to offer a bit of extra protection from the cold. For this reason you really wouldn't install any lamps, as it simply isn't necessary. If you wanted to get a really early start, you could try using grow lamps indoors. But not for a cold frame. Good luck with your project!
@juneribaldi70937 жыл бұрын
I need to learn to do this . Seriously Excellent project First I need tools I dont even own a drill or hammer . I'm laughing but its not funny . Of course you can get some handyman to do this However Id take great pride building it my self and enjoy it it GREATLY Id like to grow baby leafy greens and Herbs in this
@GrowVeg7 жыл бұрын
Don't worry - this really doesn't take much skill at all. A drill and screwdriver are the only tools you need. Once you plan which bit to screw where it's really very easy to put it all together.
@juneribaldi70937 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much for the encouragement :)
@juneribaldi70937 жыл бұрын
Thank you This is awesome :)
@macred2 жыл бұрын
All the boards have to be of the same width and depth. Bloody difficult to build with mixed sizes and a hand saw.... But can be done
@SuperEvilC4 жыл бұрын
Does it really need to be slanted. I would like to put some window frames on my flat raised garden beds to start growing a bit early this year.
@GrowVeg4 жыл бұрын
Slanted is preferable, but no, it isn't essential by any means.
@SuperEvilC4 жыл бұрын
GrowVeg Thanks for the reply. Just got my very first raised bed installed at 2am listening to Beethoven and Rimsky. :P I like to garden like Joan Crawford... "no wire hangers!!" Be well. Thanks again!!
@H2Dwoat4 жыл бұрын
Hi, I was just thinking about building a couple of cold frames and a small greenhouse. I want to reuse some double glazing unit but can’t seem to find any info on wether they would be suitable. I know some units can come with coatings to reduce UV etc. What do you rethink about reusing these units, I thought it would give them a second useful life and avoid them going in a landfill.
@GrowVeg4 жыл бұрын
It's a brilliant idea - a home-made cold frame usually starts with a repurposed window unit of some sort. I guess you'll soon know if growth within it isn't up to much because of the coatings, but I'm such a cold frame would still give good growth thanks to the added warmth it will offer.
@MN-tc5nx7 жыл бұрын
pressure treated wood has arsenic in it not for use around food.....Cedar is better........or something else
@chrisdahl8647 жыл бұрын
Not in the USA, They changed the process and materials used to pressure treat wood back around 1990 I believe.
@MN-tc5nx7 жыл бұрын
Thanks ....I didn't know that
@sarahannajuhasz872710 ай бұрын
Will the air still be warmer at night in this? For example, can I keep my tometo starts in it over night?
@GrowVeg9 ай бұрын
Yes, it should be a touch warmer - say a few degrees. It's useful to help acclimatize/harden off plants - getting them to slowly toughen up for outside planting. But it may not keep off a hard/severe frost.
@myrustygarden4 жыл бұрын
What’s the difference in functionality with a cold frame and a greenhouse is it just size
@GrowVeg4 жыл бұрын
The additional air in a greenhouse serves as a buffer against temperature extremes. So a greenhouse is slower to lose heat at night, while a cold frame is quicker to warm up in the morning. Generally a greenhouse is more versatile than a cold frame and more 'reliable' in maintaining a steady temperature.
@jennyfirthcozens1917 Жыл бұрын
Does the angle of the top depend on where you are? I’m at 2000 ft in Northumberland!
@GrowVeg Жыл бұрын
Not hugely, you just want it facing south or south-west so it catches more of the midday-afternoon sun.
@dianadreiss6090 Жыл бұрын
How do you know if the wood contains anything harmful to growing plants? Thanks
@GrowVeg Жыл бұрын
Anything sold specifically as a cold frame should be safe. If you are sourcing wood from elsewhere then you won't necessarily know, but any uncoated, plain wood should be fine. Another good source of safe wood is pallets, which are usually heat treated - so no nasty chemicals.
@bertrambabb27664 жыл бұрын
Definitely never use pressure treated wood in a garden. the toxic chemicals & heavy metals leach into the soil defeating the purpose of organic or just plain healthy nutritious food.
@SuperEvilC4 жыл бұрын
I have recently heard that the newer treated lumber no longer has the harmful chemicals but I still advocate for untreated.
@Alexxx---101 Жыл бұрын
Or you can line the inside with something like natural roofing slate so the soil doesn't have direct contact with the wood.
@theuglykwan7 жыл бұрын
Can the same effect not be had by buying a big clear storage box from a discount store and just covering your plants with it? Weigh it down with a brick to stop it flying off, drill holes in it for ventilation or just leave a small cap at the bottom.
@rhomanmason81315 жыл бұрын
Thats what many people do and it has the exact same effect as a cold frame does ive used a clear toy box before now. Hope this helps 👍🏴🇬🇧
@lindalyles61707 жыл бұрын
Can you use plexiglass instead of glass?
@maryorlowskimcferson30247 жыл бұрын
Plexiglass would be a good substitute, it's clear and wouldn't break easily!
@miked23064 жыл бұрын
do you have the dimensions of the wood you use, you mention thickness but no other dimensions, apprciate you can make these to suit.
@GrowVeg4 жыл бұрын
The cold frame in the video was a kit. I haven't got this now, but I guess you could estimate the dimensions from the video. Cold frames really can be any size, so I would start with the space you have available and then work out your wood from there. Sorry, I appreciate that isn't a very help answer.
@melovescoffee7 жыл бұрын
I want to make a strawbale coldframe for my watermelons next year. twentymillion other plans also still on the shelf so yeah... Maybe i will, maybe i won't.
@Serel252 жыл бұрын
I will be making my cold frame out of pallet wood, it won’t look nearly as good as this one…wish me luck! 😀😅 I will put a video up on my channel if anyone wants to see my handwork when it’s done 🤦🏻♀️😂
@GrowVeg2 жыл бұрын
Hope it goes/has gone well. Great recycling!
@sherrylkeith96956 жыл бұрын
I'm sure you can find awesome woodworking plans on woodprix website
@rubythegoldenpup76286 жыл бұрын
Wow, please next time use a wood drill bit when you driling pilot holes in the wood.
@GrowVeg6 жыл бұрын
Will do, thanks Pawel.
@saratess71186 ай бұрын
A kit?! Who tf needs a video of a kit?! Don't they come with instructions? Never mind. Jesus
@robynkielsa53277 жыл бұрын
I'm new to your channel (?), anyway, I saw you had a layout for gardens and which veggies go well with others, where do I find that?
@GrowVeg7 жыл бұрын
The best thing to do is look at some of our past videos, which explain various combinations. We have a useful video on companion planting - kzbin.info/www/bejne/fomud5ilprFjeM0 - which shares some great companion planting combinations, for example. It may also be worth reading some of the articles in our Grow Blog, which you can read at www.growveg.com
@james200333 жыл бұрын
How do you make windows?
@GrowVeg3 жыл бұрын
If you're making your own cold frame from scratch then I would start with the windows - any old window/s will do. You can then build a frame to fit.
@Chickenbreastmeat3 жыл бұрын
What did you use to cut the wood diagonally? Thanks
@GrowVeg3 жыл бұрын
This cold frame came as a kit. But I was to saw a plank to get those two longer triangular pieces, I would draw out a line from corner to opposite corner, and then cut along it using a circular saw.
@tonystephengrayson2 жыл бұрын
Please don't use a circular saw to do this😅 a mitre saw would be alot safer and neater
@russdixon22554 жыл бұрын
Top Tip - Don't try and drill timber with a masonry drill bit as in the video.
@GrowVeg4 жыл бұрын
Yes, fair point!
@yuksanng88644 жыл бұрын
where to get the timber,
@GrowVeg4 жыл бұрын
Hi Yuk. I've replied to you on the GrowVeg.com website. Let me know if you have any problems.
@puryeareaker79753 жыл бұрын
Hmmm... I finally followed Ann's advice and took Stodoys. It's great for beginners and has some advanced stuff too.