Cold Frames~Now with PIC

[Cheep a'lil Talk a'lil]

I was getting off topic so I thought I would bring the thread over here.

I got the basic idea of the cold frames from a book called Gardening under cover : a Northwest guide to solar greenhouses, cold frames, and cloches by Head, William, 1946-

I got it from the library but definitely one that I want in the home library. I ended up doing it a little different, but they have some fantastic ideas. Wheather you in the Pacific Northwest of deep down south these ideas would work for anyone.

My main reason for making them was to keep the elk from eating everything, not to extend my growing season. I was able to plant sooner. It stays pretty cool here but with putting the cold frames up the soil was able to warm up sooner.

I designed each frame around some salvaged windows I got off freecycle.com I would measure the window and that would give me the basic frame size. Then I had to think about what I wanted to grow in it to determine the height. After that it was pretty simple, taller in the back where the window will be hinged and shorter in the front where I would open it at. With it angled it will get better sunlight and the rain will run off of it. Important here since we get sooooooo much rain!
Its also nice to grow in them if you get high winds that just beat the crap out of your garden.

I will have to post some pictures on how I made them. I have it so I can take them apart for the winter since I don't plan of growing. Then I can stack them in the garage until next season.
I painted them with exterior house paint (Home Depot opps paint $5) inside and out to hopefully make them last longer.

I grow my potatoes in a cedar frame with straw. As the shoots get taller and I add more straw I add another frame to the top. I am able to close it off at night with two heavy windows that I framed in wood. I take them off during the day unless its to chilly out.

So far the elk haven't eaten anything or broke any of the window tops. But then again, I don't think they've been down from the hills in a couple of weeks...we'll have to wait and see.

I will try to get the pictures posted later today.

 

[AngieChick]

I did something similar this year. It worked beautifully. Though, one window did break - a pine cone fell on it from very high up. I am sold on cold frames in the Pacific NW, it's just enough of a heat boost to give us an early start in our mild spring and to help with any stragglers when winter comes.

 

[Bluemoon420]

I've been growing out of cold frames and raised beds for many years now. Until recently, I lived in places where I either had beach sand for a yard, limited space, or critters. I also love not having to weed

We bought an old farm last summer, and even though space isn't an issue anymore, I still use them despite the weird looks I get from people

Bluemoon

 

[Cheep a'lil Talk a'lil]

Okay, here are the pictures.

This is the back/high side where I have it hinged.

Sorry, this one is sideways. What I was trying to show here is that I framed the inside top and sides of the inside back wall and the inside front wall. Then taking the side walls I lined up the cornors and drilled a hole through the side wall and into the inside frame. When putting them together I put a carriage bolt through. Works really well with one bolt at the top and one at the bottom

I think this is a better shot of the outside showing the bolts.

Here is my cedar frame with the potatoes. I already have some shoots and am on my second layer of straw. Last time I grew them in this frame I was able to contain the straw layers with some poles and chicken wire. This time I will continue to stack cedar frames on top as the straw layers get higher. That way I can continue to put the windows on top at night to keep the elk out.

I wasn't even going to do a garden this year until everything was cleared and we are going to be gone for a month this summer. But I just couldn't help it! I just had to grow something!! I love gardening!

I have broccoli, cauliflower, lettus, lots of tomatoes, onions and jalapenos for canning home made slasa.
Not much this year but at least its something.

I will be making more cold frames this fall/winter. They are really great for the low growing plants.
Let me know if you have any questions. Oh, and check out that book, its really great!

 

[JennsPeeps]

Oh boy, after the summer we had last year - and the freaky thunder storm last night - I really want some cold frames to protect my tender plants.

I had to replant cukes b/c they croaked in the recent spring RAIN RAIN RAIN.

 

[English Chick]

Think I now need cold frames.........and the view from your garden is stunning!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bluemoon420]

They look great

I've used recycled tires as planters for potatoes. Those work well also.


Bluemoon

 

[Cheep a'lil Talk a'lil]

Thanks for the compliments! We've been here for two years and I still can't get over the view.

I know what you mean about rain, we get an average of 125" a year!!
Then in the summer when we don't get much rain it drys out soooo fast its scarry! With the cold frames it really helps retain the moisture, nice and humid.

I've heard/seen using old tires as planters. That is a great idea for recycling! I have "heard" about chemicals being released as the rubber breaks down but haven't read anything "official", just hear say.
Still think its a good idea.

 

[Bluemoon420]

I've mainly grown potatoes in them. I never had a problem with chemicals. My step sister is a chemist and tested one once years ago. There wasn't anything adverse in them.
My DH also told me a story about a neighbor who had a an area in his back yard that the previous owners dumped motor oil there. The guy planted potatoes to soak up the motor oil in the soil. He would periodically cut one open, and check. Once the potatoes were clean, the next season he ate them. My DH thought that was just brillant.

Bluemoon

 

[Cheep a'lil Talk a'lil]

Quote:
Very smart!!!