Making a Coldframe

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Making a Coldframe - Advice ?

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JonO

Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 119
Location: South Birmingham

Posted: Sun Mar 06, 05 1:47 pm Post subject: Making a Coldframe - Advice ?

I've just made most of my coldframe from an old crate which is propped up on some breeze blocks and lined with that kind of bubble wrap with a foil finish (I think you put it behind radiators).

My question is, should I put the lining stuff on the floor of the coldframe so it is completly sealed (There are at present some gaps in the wood) or would it be better to leave the few gaps I have for water to run out ?

Any help appreciated,

Jon.

Treacodactyl
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 25795
Location: Jumping on the bandwagon of opportunism

Posted: Sun Mar 06, 05 3:17 pm Post subject:
Do you have any polystyrene flat bits you could put on the floor? If you're worried about the cold soil then it may be worth a go. Don't forget a bit of ventilation on a warm day.

Marigold123

Joined: 06 Feb 2005
Posts: 224

Posted: Sun Mar 06, 05 5:55 pm Post subject:
I keep telling myself I will want a cold frame some time and should start looking out for old window-units in skips, but I haven't got round to it yet.

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 05 10:29 am Post subject:

I have a cold frame the old chap made for me some years ago. It's four wooden walls, higher at the back then at the front, with a window that slides over the top and can be propped open to allow ventilation. It has no base, because when the window is shut the soil warms up, just as it does if you cover it with black polythene. there's a picture of a similar one in Geoff Hamilton's 'Successful Organic Gardening'. The wooden parts are treated with a waterproof wood-stain (very nice shade: Iris Blue) to make it last. I do cover the soil inside with a layer of mypex to stop the weeds.

JonO

Joined: 05 Mar 2005
Posts: 119
Location: South Birmingham

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 05 12:26 pm Post subject:
Mine is not actually going to have soil in the bottom as such, I was just going to put my seedlings and some slightly more delicate fruit in there in pots, hence I don't know if I should seal it against the cold or not underneath ?

Tristan

Joined: 29 Dec 2004
Posts: 392
Location: North Gloucestershire

Posted: Mon Mar 07, 05 12:36 pm Post subject:
Cover the soil with something to keep the weeds down, thick black polythene will do as long as you spike it with a fork to let the water out. As the soil is covered with the frame it will warm up faster than outside, and on really cold nights or when a north wind is blowing, the heat is returned from the soil into the frame, so best not to insulate the bottom.

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 7:44 am Post subject:
5 stars, Tristan: that was what I was trying to say! Go to the top of the class.

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 9:43 am Post subject:
I'm planning to build a pen for my wheelie bins and compost bin with a solid roof. On top I'm going to build a couple of cold frames. As it's not on the ground with the heat sink effect of the earth, and the underside will be exposed, I think it's be a good idea to insulate with polystyrene boards. Do you think this is wise or overkill?

mochyn

Joined: 21 Dec 2004
Posts: 24585
Location: mid-Wales

Posted: Tue Mar 08, 05 12:10 pm Post subject:
Now that probably is a good idea. I'd leave drainage holes and cover the polystyrene with something black, also painting the outside of the frame black to maximise the sun's effect.

Tristan

Joined: 29 Dec 2004
Posts: 392
Location: North Gloucestershire

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 12:29 pm Post subject:
Outside black, inside white, reverse in hot weather

Behemoth

Joined: 01 Dec 2004
Posts: 19023
Location: Leeds

Posted: Wed Mar 09, 05 1:28 pm Post subject:
That sounds like work - I may just go for the weathered wood look. The back of the cold frames will be the brick wall of the yard so I'm hoing that will act as a storage heater.

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