Coldframe location

[bikermike]

my lovely wife bought me one for Christmas.

I hope to put it out on the plot soon.

some questions
alignment - I'm assuming south-ish facing is the aim to maximise sunlight
base - I'm planning to put it on paving slabs - any thoughts?
are there any other things to consider when siting it?

[nickdub]

Mainly depends on what you're going to be using it for. If hardening off, then close to wherever you start your seedlings eg greenhouse. If growing summer stuff like melons then max light, if for rooting cuttings then semi-shade.

[bikermike]

oooh bvgger! I need to know what I'm using it for...?
ah.

(this is the problem with presents isn't it? I expressed an idle interest in the idea and it snowballed).

I think I'm mainly intending to use it for hardening-of/halfwayhousing seeds grown in the greenhouse, but also for starting some things there (esp peas which seem to get nailed by aphids in the greenhouse)

It can't be near my greenhouse as it's on the allotment and my greenhouse isn't (allot is only 5 mins walk away)

How about cuttings I have started in the greenhouse?

Current plan is to put it on the back of the shed (which I think is south-facing)

[nickdub]

Hardening off and cuttings - I'd vote for semi-shade. You don't want to be worrying on sunny days that somethings going to be cooked in there if you're not around to ventilate it.

[bikermike]

Thanks Nickdub - you learn something new every day

[bikermike]

hello, another daft question - how do you hold them down? I've had a look at the kit, and it's got sides and a top, but no base (or anything else to hold it down). It's not the most exposed site in the world, but if the wind did get under it, it could go for a walk...

[chris_m]

hello, another daft question - how do you hold them down? I've had a look at the kit, and it's got sides and a top, but no base (or anything else to hold it down). It's not the most exposed site in the world, but if the wind did get under it, it could go for a walk...

I've just got one to go on my patio - I added a couple of angle brackets at the bottom of the ends and plonked a couple of housebricks on them.
If it had been going on a non-hard surface I'd have put four brackets on and pegged it down.

[bikermike]

If that works in the wilds of Cumbria, it should work for us softy southerners...

cheers!

[chris_m]

If that works in the wilds of Cumbria, it should work for us softy southerners...

Finger well and truly crossed, I only put it out the other day and we haven't had any strong winds - yet ;-)