With just a few reclaimed or reuse windows , you may start growing veg long after summer is over with your own cheap DIY cold frame !
Cold frames are the perfect answer for those wanting to grow unfermented veggies beyond the traditional growing time of year .
In fact , in some areas , they can keep fresh green on the table all class long !
And no matter where you live , certainly extend your growing season by a month or more on each end .
Using Cold Frames For Growing Fresh Produce
cold-blooded frames are perfect for growing inhuman - audacious crop like radishes , clams , kale and spinach .
These nerveless - weather enjoy crops prosper in cold frame . And they can be grown all through wintertime . Even as the blow pile up out of doors of their comfortable 4 walls !
We have used our DIY cold soma at the farm to arise fresh greens well in to January & February some years . It is always such a slap-up intuitive feeling to be harvesting a craw while your fundament are stand in snow !
But cold frames have other groovy U.S. as well . They are smashing for start seedling in the spring , and for harden off veg and bloom transplant too . See : How To Use A Cold Frame To Extend Your Growing time of year
Using Recycled Windows To Create A DIY Cold Frame
cold-blooded build are actually quite light to make . Especially if you have a few old windowpane frames to apply as a cover .
We built our cold frame for about $ 20 a while . All it took was a few 2 x 10 lumber boards . two hinges , and 2 old windows .
To make ours , we used windowpane sashes we had on hand from an old b window .
Usually , old window frames are pretty loose to find on craigslist or local re - purpose stores . But if you do n’t have approach to erstwhile frames , you may also make a physique cover version using wood and clear plastic .
How To Build A DIY Cold Frame
You window dimension will determine the size of your ruined stale frame .
The chassis should cover the entire top of the cold frame to keep heat from get by . The two windows we used measured 27″ x 24 ” , so we built our frames to the same size .
Here is a feel at how we build up our , step by footprint . you could well adjust the material sizes to match your windowpane .
Materials
We started by cut a total of ( 3 ) 54 ” and ( 3 ) 21″ piece from the 2 x 10 ’s .
We took ( 2 ) of the 21 ” patch and drew a diagonal line from the top of one side to the bottom of the other . We then cut the pieces to make our side slant boards .
Step 2 – Assembly
Assembly could n’t be easier . We started by screwing together ( 2 ) 54 ” control board and ( 2 ) 21 ” pieces to produce a rectangle
It is always a good idea to pre - drill each fuck maw to keep the woodwind from splitting . The complete inning mensurate 54 x 24″.
Next , we mounted the angle boards to the sides by driving a ass in the bottom destiny of each side .
To complete the human body , we then place the terminal 54 ” gameboard on the back side , and attached to the angle boards with two screws on each side .
Attaching the Hinges
For attaching the windows , we used basicbutt - manner hinges . We used two hinges for each windowpane , securing them to the top back of the cold frame .
The flexible joint allow you to prop start the cold-blooded frame easily on quick day . A few years back , we in reality installedautomatic vent openersto our cold frames .
Using solar power , they automatically open up at a certain temperature , and close when it gets too insensate . They are a bit pricy ( $ 25 – $ 40 ) , but are peachy for keeping plants healthy without trudging out twenty-four hours and night!Product Link : Automatic Vent Opener
Here is to maturate your own solid food through the insensate winter months with a DIY dusty anatomy ! Happy Gardening – Jim and Mary .
Jim and Mary Competti have been writing horticulture , DIY and recipe clause and volume for over 15 eld from their 46 Akko Ohio farm . The two are frequent speaker on all things gardening and sexual love to travel in their spare meter .
