Build a Cold Frame for Less Than $50
Do you want to give your garden a head start in the spring or extend the growing season into the fall? Then build a cold frame! This simple structure can help protect your plants from the elements and provide them with a warm, sheltered environment for growth.
And the best part? You can build a cold frame for less than $50. That's right - you don't need a lot of money to build a simple cold frame that will get the job done.
Here's what you'll need:
Materials
- Wooden pallets: These are readily available for free or very cheap at many businesses. Use sturdy pallets in good condition.
- 2x4s: These will form the frame of your cold frame. You'll need enough to create a rectangle or square that's the size you want.
- Screws or nails: Use whatever you have on hand.
- Plastic sheeting or greenhouse film: This will act as the cover for your cold frame. Choose a material that is strong and durable.
- Hinges: These will be used to attach the cover to the frame.
- Heavy-duty clips or clamps: These will be used to secure the cover to the frame in windy conditions.
- Optional: Soil, seeds, and starter plants.
Building the Cold Frame
Follow these simple steps to create your cold frame.
Step 1: Build the base.
Take two wooden pallets and place them side by side. Use the 2x4s to create a frame that extends the length of the pallets. Make sure the frame is level and secure it to the pallets with screws or nails. If your pallets are very wide, you can cut them in half to create a more manageable size.
Step 2: Construct the lid.
Use the 2x4s to build a frame for the lid of your cold frame. It should be the same size as the base. You can use the same pallets to build the lid, just cut them into a rectangle.
Step 3: Attach the lid.
Attach the lid to the base of your cold frame using hinges. This will allow you to easily open and close the lid to access your plants.
Step 4: Cover the lid.
Cover the lid of your cold frame with your chosen plastic sheeting or greenhouse film. Secure the cover to the lid with heavy-duty clips or clamps.
Step 5: Finish the frame.
Use some soil to fill the cold frame. You can add extra potting soil to the base if desired, or use the soil already found in the pallets. Then you're ready to plant!
Using your cold frame
Once your cold frame is built, you can start using it to grow your plants. Here are a few tips:
- Choose plants that are appropriate for the climate you live in.
- Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Water your plants regularly.
- Open the lid of your cold frame on warm days to ventilate the plants.
- Close the lid at night to protect your plants from frost.
- If you live in an area with harsh winters, you may need to cover your cold frame with an extra layer of insulation.
That's it! You can use your cold frame to extend your growing season and start your garden plants early in the spring. It's a simple, inexpensive, and rewarding project that will give you a head start on gardening.
