The Ultimate DIY Garden Cold Frame?

[@ThousandYardStare]

This was my Christmas project and the structure is approx. 10' x 4' (3m x 1.2m) with the high side being just over 1m (3'3") and the low side being approx. 0.5m (20"). It is made from a 2" x 2" (50mm x 50mm) frame and is covered by 6" x 5/8" (150mm x 16mm) boards with 2" x 5/8mm (50mm x 16mm) lappers over the board joints. The actual size of the '2" x 2" is nearer 45mm x 45mm as they are dressed (planed). The cold frame sits on a base made from pressure treated fencing rails which have then been treated with creosote. That keeps the cold frame approx. 1.5" (40mm) above the ground so the main structure is not in contact with wet and dirt which could accelerate the wood rot - this should last for decades..... All wood inside and out on the cold frame is pressure treated but since pressure treatment isn't what it used to be (I'm planning a 'rant' video on that subject) it was all then treated with a spirit based timber treatment. Avoid water based 'treatments' as they are useless. The spirit based timber treatment can be found here: geni.us/95NKT or on the A-chem website here: www.achemshop.co.uk/product/timbashield_dark_oak/ The gas rams I used to enable easy lifting of the lids can be found here: geni.us/LsyNSHd The Stainless steel hinges used on the back of each lid can be found here: geni.us/2NWw5F There are 4 hinges on each lid. The handles on the lid can be found here: geni.us/gBuPQ3 All the screws used are outdoor screws which are zinc coated and are available from any decent DIY store. Same story for the zinc plated bolts used to hold sections together (they are 125mm x 8mm). The cold frame sits over the overflow from my sewage tank so there is some low level heat being generated underneath it from the bacterial activity - that will help it stay frost free over the Winter. I'll be covering the bottom of the cold frame with some heavy rubber pond liner as I have a spare piece which should be big enough.. I will do semi-regular garden update videos so subscribe if you want to see more on this project and the garden. Thanks for watching and check out the gardening playlist on my channel for more videos.

[@Quaker521]

Man, that looks like a nice-sized cold frame. You've certainly been more industrious over Christmas than I have. 😂

[@ThousandYardStare]

Normally I wouldn't be so busy but my family were away in London for a few days so I got to work on this after packaging up orders, answering emails etc. for the business and I couldn't pass up that opportunity as this will last me for many years and help me step up the food production game.

[@nlr70]

Great that wor lad, well impressed

[@canonfodder-godtalk793]

Thanks for the gas rams idea. Best job

[@ThousandYardStare]

No worries and I'm glad you found the video useful - thanks for watching and best of luck with your project and garden.

[@charlie10tango39]

Absolutely fantastic!

[@ThousandYardStare]

I'm definitely loving this project - it was over 30 degrees C there today - in the middle of Winter, lol As the structure has dried out and the wooden window sections have become lighter it is even easier to lift up the sections - seems like I got the sizing of the gas rams just right but I won't claim it was through anything but dumb luck.

[@Les-OZZYTHEOSCAR]

That's great Richard. I am like that with things that others will throw away. I love coming up with ideas to make use and stop me having to pay silly prices for shop stuff. You have done a great job there !

[@ThousandYardStare]

It's great to learn that other people see the same things as me as when I was offered the panes of glass I went into the garden and saw exactly what I would later build - some people have that ability and some don't. Increasingly I'm realizing that 90% of the population have no vision and no independent thought. They're basically buggered, lol

[@elgezouliabdul4973]

Hello Richard I didn't know that you have a 2nd channel ....... liked it very much.

[@ThousandYardStare]

I love making videos for this channel as it's where my current projects are shown. Having a plan for the future and implementing it in my spare time is a great feeling as it benefits the whole family.

[@wendybarry5563]

Wow love your cold frame build. Think I might take some ideas from it. Since Xmas, I have set myself up with a very basic solar system. Never done anything like it before, so was definitely a learning experience. I now have lights inside and outside my shed. A couple of fans for the summer, 4 USB ports, 12v connection and lights in my greenhouse all run from a fused 12v switch board. Really happy with how it all worked out 😁

[@ThousandYardStare]

Yup, keeping it simple is key to long term success and any sort of solar infrastructure and understanding is awesome. I sometimes worry about my solar system and batteries since my knowledge of electrics is basic at best. However, I could live quite happily as a hunter gatherer but I couldn't say the same for the rest of my family so it's up to me to work double time to make sure that we still have the structure and benefits of a 'civilized' existence. The work I'm putting in is definitely not wasted even in the current times as we all love organic vegetables and free range eggs but it's all a set-up for what could (will) be coming if / when the SHTF all that work will have real value. All the best for 2023 and beyond.

[@Mark-ir9gl]

Spot on mate hope you are well 👍

[@ThousandYardStare]

I'm better than well - I'm ready to work every spare minute to build an alternative system so we aren't crushed by all the Agenda 2030 nonsense. Just as well I'm so driven since it would be very easy to sit inside and play the Xbox all day, lol I still play the Xbox but that is after 10 pm at night when the working day is finished - it's one of my only vices.....Xbox and nicely peated Scottish single malt....I'm a man of simple pleasures.

[@Mark-ir9gl]

@@ThousandYardStare sounds spot on Richard take care mate 👍

[@ThousandYardStare]

@@Mark-ir9gl You too, man

[@keepingitkoi]

Great job Richard that's a great way to use those old windows absolutely awesome 👌

[@ThousandYardStare]

One thing can't be argued - when it comes to making stuff I don't feck about. If it won't last for at least 20 years then I'm not interested, lol

[@keepingitkoi]

@ThousandYardStare haha well as long as you treat it occasionally that will probably out last you 😉

[@ThousandYardStare]

@@keepingitkoiI haven't taken any of the covaids clot shots so I'm fully intending to outlast my cold frame now......that sounds like a challenge which I'm willing to work towards.

[@efaracing4000]

Great job man! I don't waste anything like that either! I think it's around 10n to a kg but could be out abit haha

[@pondguru]

(my other account) I won't argue with that as these rams seem really strong. I'm busy installing some way of keeping the lids open at different levels today. It's going well.

[@ThousandYardStare]

@@pondguru I have just finished the installation - I will video it and upload it to this channel. It's dope.

[@malsearle]

Useful vid mate , i got an allotment

[@ThousandYardStare]

You would be the envy of the other allotment owners if you built a cold frame this size but as it's sectional you'd probably arrive one day to find it had been nicked, lol

[@malsearle]

@@ThousandYardStare definitely im from Middlesbrough 😂

[@ThousandYardStare]

If something gets nicked in Middlesbrough look for it in Sunderland and vice versa.

[@wiggledytoes]

😯soft close

[@SoldierDemps]

Hi, just so your not working around those chunks of timber and risk knocking them when your leaning in, just get a smaller chunk and chock them up from the back like a wedge👍🏻

[@ThousandYardStare]

That's the plan - I just need to make couple of blocks for the rear part of the frame or get something on a swivel which will swing up and lock into position.