Cold Frame

Hello all, I am looking for a cold frame that is cheap but sturdy.

Measurements should be no more than L 4ft x W 2/3ft.

If any of you know of a good website that deals in cold frames would be handy.

 

Why not make one. The simplest way is to make three sides of old bricks, set against a wall (for the fourth side), and cover it with a piece of glass such as an old window.

I do this every winter, making a shape anything up to 15 feet long against the house, and covering it with whatever pieces of glass I have to hand. The shape changes to suit the glass and so I can fit all my plants in. Then in the spring I dismantle it and stack it away.

Or even simpler buy a big transparent container. I see various sizes being sold in Homebase - but I think they are universal. And turn it upside down.

 

I also make 'temporary' ones from bricks - to make it more 'cosy', I get some polystyrene (usually places like electical stores, Homebase, B&Q et.al are only too willing to give you as much as you want) and line the inside.

I've also made myself a couple of really cheapie ones - basically they're a couple of boxes with lids just fashioned from some tongue and grooved cladding with acrylic lids which are light enough to move around, I've also put a base on these and attached legs, which means I can sit them on the patio or deck without them leaving any marks when I move them at a later date.

 

Mine are made using pallet slats fixed to roofing batten offcuts (skips) for the sides, lights made from ex-carport twin wall polycarbonate sheet (freecycle) in timber (roof conversion skip) frames and sit on brick (skips) or treated timber (ex-decking supports - skip again) plinths and big bags of cheap nails (Rainbow Superstore, Wilkos, etc.). I've four cold frames made like this with a total length of about 10 metres.

 

I got a coldframe from Norfolk Greenhouses which is reasonable quality

 

WOW!!

These ideas are great. Never thought you could actually make a decent cold frame from those materials.