Cold frame?

[Bex]

My dad's given me his old cold frame but I've no idea what to grow in it. Is there anything for this time of year?


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum

[VolesAteMyPeas]

I was wondering exactly the same thing. I'm making one today out of an old shower cubicle that my husband salvaged!

[Scarlet]

It's getting dark and colder now so if you haven't started anything off yet - not much. You can overwinter Autumn sown flowers, winter lettuces, maybe start off your lettuces, peas & broad beans early (late February).

Perhaps some other grapes will come along with a little more info....

[rosiepumpkin]

Can I use an unheated greenhouse like a cold frame even if the door and vents are open?

[veggiechicken]

GH or cold frame - they seem much the same to me - except one has more headroom

[Greenleaves]

I use mine to start sweet peas. I also keep my new strawberry runners in there till end February

[arpoet]

I broke mine up when I took down the old wooden greenhouse/shed to which they were attached. I now have a polycarb greenhouse and a glass one with a see through covered lean to between them. Ideal for hardening plants.
I found that the cold frames were a breeding ground for slugs and snails and only really used them for a couple of months a year so don't miss them.

[Scarlet]

Can I use an unheated greenhouse like a cold frame even if the door and vents are open?

Why are you keeping door and vents open? The wind blowing through will cause the glass to blow out.

[rosiepumpkin]

thanks everyone.

it was to kill bugs. it's been abandoned for 7 years. the door is facing a sheltered area but it's a fair point about the wind.

[Bigmallly]

thanks everyone.

it was to kill bugs. it's been abandoned for 7 years. the door is facing a sheltered area but it's a fair point about the wind.

Now's the perfect time to give it a powerwash with some J**es Fluid.

[veggiechicken]

I don't think you'll kill bugs by leaving the door open. That's an invitation for more little critters to move .
in!! What sort of bugs are they?

[Bex]

Now's the perfect time to give it a powerwash with some J**es Fluid.

I was going to ask if j**es fluid is the way to go for cleaning the cold frame as the glass is currently green. I guess it is lol


Sent from my iPhone using Grow Your Own Forum

[bravo2zero]

Ive 2. One has brick base and is used mainly to protect brassicas from whites during the summer and other pesky plant munchers, its wooden with mesh lights. No 2 is about 15ft x 2.5ft made with old window frames. Its joined to a brick wall. It is under a lean-to roof and has it own lights. This one is used as a cold frame proper early on in the year and once empty i grow my san marzano toms in it. Once ive cleared them ive got some lettuce plugs to go in,i may try melons in it next year. So basically you can grow anything in one providing theres headroom. Think about location cos if you want to grow or stand stuff in it overwinter it helps to be bang south facing.