Creating a cold frame does not need to be expensive or time-consuming. Even folks without any woodworking skills can build a structure to protect newly seeded plants or tender crops from inclement weather. From simple to sophisticated, there is a cold frame for every gardener. Learn how to build your own cold frame.
Good
The most rudimentary cold frame may be all that you need. Here, seed-free straw bales filled with soil and topped with a repurposed window will do the job just fine so long as the window is secure in the straw.
Photo: image shared under CC BY-SA 2.0 from hardworking hippy on flickr.com
Better
With a little more time, you can create a cold frame out of recycled hemlock or other untreated wood and top it off with Lexan polycarbonate or other translucent material. On warm days, vent the structure with a felled branch or garden tool, such as a pitchfork or shovel.
Photo: Bernadette on pixabay.com under CCO Creative Commons
Best
Some folks are perfectly happy investing a bit more time and money into a system that will last forever and needs little attention once it is built. This cold frame is constructed out of cedar planks and is topped with a sheet of acrylic. The pièce de résistance, however, is a heat-sensitive hydraulic riser that senses the temperature and regulates ventilation as needed.
This cold frame is constructed out of cedar planks and is topped with a sheet of acrylic.
Fine Gardening Recommended Products
Berry & Bird Rabbiting Spade, Trenching Shovel
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Ideal Tool for All Gardeners Use: Our heavy duty trenching shovel is designed by a professional gardening tool designer. Lifetime Durability: This heavy duty drain spade is made of high-quality stainless steel, it is very strong and durable, even if it is used for high-strength work, it will not bend. Ergonomic Wood Handle: The handle of this planting spade is made of ash hardwood harvested from FSC-certified forests and has an ergonomically streamlined design, making it very suitable for everyone's hands. Multi-Use: This digging shovel is generally used for digging trenches, digging holes, transplanting, edging, moving compost, cutting thick turf and furrowing. The sharp blade allows you to cut, scoop, dig, lift and dice in hard soil.
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50 cell plastic seedling deep trays, each size is 3.54" deep, big holes, side 1.89" x 1.89", hold larger volume of the soil which can be better for trees, longer rhizomas or similar tall growing plants. Fits for standard 10" 20" trays.
10pcs per pack trays, thicker and more durable, 1mm thick trays for long term use, sturdy to carry and transport. Indoor or greenhouse propagation or nursery is good.
Spearhead Shade Gardening Shovel with Steel-Reinforced Fiberglass Handle
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Reduce Digging Effort - The Spear Head Spade is the first hybrid shovel/spade, guaranteed to make your toughest digging up to 80% easier than regular shovels and spades, even in the toughest soil conditions. Ideal for landscaping and gardening.
Multi-Purpose Shovel - Spear Head Spade is a versatile tool that can be used for digging, planting, weeding, cutting, and edging. It is designed to handle tough soil and clay conditions, and can cut through roots and tough vegetation with ease.
Innovative Design - Has a unique blade design that makes it more efficient and easier to use than traditional spades. The blade is shaped like a spearhead, with a pointed tip and a curved edge that allows it to penetrate the soil more easily.
Ergonomic D-Handle - The large, cushioned D-grip offers comfort and better leverage for gloved and ungloved hands alike, reducing strain on the hands and wrists. Lightweight & Strong - Durable handle is made of special steel-reinforced, pultruded fiberglass to withstand heavy use. 60% stronger than EN-3388 shovel/spade standards, 33% thicker and 25% harder than normal shovels. Sharpened from tip to tail at a 35 degree angle for an effective and durable edge.
Comments
nice. I think I might start with the most basic and work my way up.
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