How to Make A Cold Frame Step-by-Step

[@pbsjones]

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!

[@GrowVeg]

That's a really frugal way of doing it - love it!

[@summerhoffman8794]

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!

[@summerhoffman8794]

i meant to say built in the beginning

[@GrowVeg]

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!

[@ericwhitfield8475]

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.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for those extra tips Eric - great point about the wood glue and preserving, that would definitely have helped.

[@Merzui-kg8ds]

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.

[@progtom7585]

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.

[@GrowVeg]

Good tip re the screws there Tom, thank you.

[@jonathanryals9934]

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]

What a smart move - very resourceful and such a good-sized cold frame. :-)

[@captaindingbat]

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!

[@lesliekendall5668]

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.

[@GrowVeg]

Hope your cold frame project goes well and you get a super crop. :-)

[@Dreadgnot]

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.

[@chrisdahl864]

If you can afford them.

[@GrowVeg]

Cedar or redwood is definitely a longer lasting option.

[@Sydnee88]

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]

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]

​@@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]

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]

So pleased you have managed to make one. It will prove so useful!

[@46FreddieMercury91]

A good idea is to paint the inside of the frame white to help reflect the light. You could just use water based emulsion

[@GrowVeg]

Great idea!

[@HadassahHaman]

YAY!!!!! Great video!❤ I'm soooo doing this.😊

[@andrewgraves4026]

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.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks so much Andrew. And welcome to the channel! :-)

[@Lexicondiablo]

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.

[@GrowVeg]

Thanks for the advice Nick.

[@DebRoo11]

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

[@jawjagrrl]

depending on where you live, cypress is another good option.

[@JTvlogs984]

If I make one of these I think I'll paint it with Linseed oil!!

[@GrowVeg]

Smart move!

[@howardhuggins6744]

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-)

[@GrowVeg]

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!

[@juneribaldi7093]

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

[@GrowVeg]

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.

[@juneribaldi7093]

Thank you very much for the encouragement :)

[@juneribaldi7093]

Thank you This is awesome :)

[@macred]

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

[@SuperEvilC]

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.

[@GrowVeg]

Slanted is preferable, but no, it isn't essential by any means.

[@SuperEvilC]

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!!

[@H2Dwoat]

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.

[@GrowVeg]

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-tc5nx]

pressure treated wood has arsenic in it not for use around food.....Cedar is better........or something else

[@chrisdahl864]

Not in the USA, They changed the process and materials used to pressure treat wood back around 1990 I believe.

[@MN-tc5nx]

Thanks ....I didn't know that

[@sarahannajuhasz8727]

Will the air still be warmer at night in this? For example, can I keep my tometo starts in it over night?

[@GrowVeg]

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.

[@myrustygarden]

What’s the difference in functionality with a cold frame and a greenhouse is it just size

[@GrowVeg]

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]

Does the angle of the top depend on where you are? I’m at 2000 ft in Northumberland!

[@GrowVeg]

Not hugely, you just want it facing south or south-west so it catches more of the midday-afternoon sun.

[@dianadreiss6090]

How do you know if the wood contains anything harmful to growing plants? Thanks

[@GrowVeg]

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.

[@bertrambabb2766]

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.

[@SuperEvilC]

I have recently heard that the newer treated lumber no longer has the harmful chemicals but I still advocate for untreated.

[@Alexxx---101]

Or you can line the inside with something like natural roofing slate so the soil doesn't have direct contact with the wood.

[@theuglykwan]

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.

[@rhomanmason8131]

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 👍🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇬🇧

[@lindalyles6170]

Can you use plexiglass instead of glass?

[@maryorlowskimcferson3024]

Plexiglass would be a good substitute, it's clear and wouldn't break easily!

[@miked2306]

do you have the dimensions of the wood you use, you mention thickness but no other dimensions, apprciate you can make these to suit.

[@GrowVeg]

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.

[@melovescoffee]

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.

[@Serel25]

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 🤦🏻‍♀️😂

[@GrowVeg]

Hope it goes/has gone well. Great recycling!

[@sherrylkeith9695]

I'm sure you can find awesome woodworking plans on woodprix website

[@rubythegoldenpup7628]

Wow, please next time use a wood drill bit when you driling pilot holes in the wood.

[@GrowVeg]

Will do, thanks Pawel.

[@saratess7118]

A kit?! Who tf needs a video of a kit?! Don't they come with instructions? Never mind. Jesus

[@robynkielsa5327]

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?

[@GrowVeg]

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

[@james20033]

How do you make windows?

[@GrowVeg]

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.

[@Chickenbreastmeat]

What did you use to cut the wood diagonally? Thanks

[@GrowVeg]

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.

[@tonystephengrayson]

Please don't use a circular saw to do this😅 a mitre saw would be alot safer and neater

[@russdixon2255]

Top Tip - Don't try and drill timber with a masonry drill bit as in the video.

[@GrowVeg]

Yes, fair point!

[@yuksanng8864]

where to get the timber,

[@GrowVeg]

Hi Yuk. I've replied to you on the GrowVeg.com website. Let me know if you have any problems.

[@puryeareaker7975]

Hmmm... I finally followed Ann's advice and took Stodoys. It's great for beginners and has some advanced stuff too.