Cold frames

[kethry]

i got one of these last year. NOT suitable for moving around, or on windy allotments. Mine is up against the house. I don't actually grow anything in the ground - i just put plants in it in containers. the wind can and will catch the lids - one got ripped off, but fortunately, not damaged. The best way to keep the lids down, i've found, is a pair of lightish (i.e. not heavy duty) planks going across the lids, weighted down with bricks. However, if you put it in place, and only move it once or twice a year to clean it out, then its fine. Although the lid has some supports to prop it open, in fine weather (like today), i prop the lid open fully with a couple of poles. I've even had things like courgettes germinate in there, in pots in plastic bags, effectively double wrapping it. That worked very well. I don't regret buying it, but as i said, it comes down to what you want it for.

keth
xx

[kethry]

The air above Kent has been blue today as I tried to fit the &%(&% thing together....

uh.. yeah. I remember a similar experience with mine...!! you need two people to put it together, i think...

[Snadger]

This is mine .......built from recycled breeze blocks!
Built to suit two double glased window frames (stuff is hardening off so frames are off and a mesh is over to protect brassicas from pigeons!)

[SarzWix]

I like that Snadger, the blocks will let out a bit of heat overnight?
Did you cut the blocks down to get the slope, or just bury them more at the front?

[Snadger]

I like that Snadger, the blocks will let out a bit of heat overnight?
Did you cut the blocks down to get the slope, or just bury them more at the front?

Nope...had a couple of thermalite blocks which are dead easy to cut at an angle with a normal wood saw!

PS Only the front part is angled the rear part is going to become a raised seedbed/saladbed for next year! I may stick a cucumber in it once it's cleared of pots this year though!

[vikkib]

That's a nifty little set up Snadger!

Hope you don't mind; I'm going to add it to my folder of photos named 'Grapevine Inspiration'! A folder full of photos of things I'd love to get round to doing at some time!

[Leif]

I bought a Lidl coldframe today, I'm surprised how well made it is: twin wall polycarbonate, aluminium frame with tongue and groove style assembly and solid plastic angles for the corners, with screws to hold them tight. It is better than the more expensive ones I've seen at the garden centres. Perhaps they have a new supplier?