Cold frames

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 2:33 pm

I'm growing a few things - flowers for patio tubs and hanging baskets, a few endangered species* and woodland plants, tomatoes, rocket, scarlet emperor beans, parsley, shamrock, marijuana - and I'm making a cold frame so I can put my seedlings outside. Does anyone know if a cold frame needs sides? So far I have a window on legs (a bit like a really cheap-arsed coffee table) but I'm concerned it might be a bit draughty and may not offer much protection against frost. I've had them out in the sun today and they seemed to like that (so many sprouted today it was unreal) but I don't want to risk losing the whole lot just to test whether the cold frame works...

* They do go to pains to point out on the label that these seeds are taken from cultivated plants, not the wild, so I should mention it here. They're doing better than most of the others as well, which begs the question why are they endangered?

Obfleur · Post by **Obfleur** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 2:53 pm

I can't provide any help, but that looks like a lot of fun.

I can only give you this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cold_frame

" The transparent top admits sunlight and relies on the greenhouse effect to reflect back radiant heat that would otherwise escape at night. "

It sounds like you need "walls" to keep the heat from escaping, or am I reading it wrong?

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 2:58 pm

wikipedia wrote:a cold frame is a transparent-roofed enclosure

Bah

divebomb · Post by **divebomb** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 3:21 pm

Yes, a cold frame needs sides but they don't have to be made of plastic, just anything to keep the elements out, damn I knew there would a use to being dragged out to help in the garden when I was younger!

Post by **Best First** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:35 pm

Maybe just bin liner streached around it or something? or 2 layers of bin liner with something inbetween to insulate a bit?

good luck young grower.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 4:56 pm

Best First wrote:Maybe just bin liner streached around it or something? or 2 layers of bin liner with something inbetween to insulate a bit?

Chickenwire. Usually used to keep the wildlife out, it also has insulating properties the way that string vests do.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Thu Mar 23, 2006 6:59 pm

Well I went back to my scrapheap challenge pile in the garden and I've built an enclosure with a raised wooden shelf inside for insulation. I can take the front two legs off as well so the glass lid slopes forwards and "closes". Bit dark for pics, but it definitely looks like the one on Wikipedia now

saysadie · Post by **saysadie** » Fri Mar 24, 2006 7:39 pm

As an aside-That's awesome Emvee. Looks all garden-y.

I'm trying to grow things for my balcony in my apartment, have no idea how this is going to turn out. Fun though.

Eline · Post by **Eline** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 11:12 am

Impressive!

Now that I have a balcony, I'd really like to try to grow something. What do you recommend to start with? What is easy to grow?

I do have some herbs in my kitchen already, they are good.

Metal Vendetta · Post by **Metal Vendetta** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 5:02 pm

Eline wrote:Now that I have a balcony, I'd really like to try to grow something. What do you recommend to start with? What is easy to grow?

Rocket is easy and pretty rewarding, it was one of the first crops I planted, years back. I also like growing mint - I have several arieties at the moment and will probably get a few more next week. All you need are a couple of roots, put them in a pot with soil, add water and you're away. Mrs. V. is growing tomatoes on her balcony (bringing them inside at night while it's cold) and they sprang up really quickly.

Legion · Post by **Legion** » Sat Mar 25, 2006 5:04 pm

Nice going!