Cold Frames

[templebell]

Well I’ve got through the first 6 months on the allotment, its been hard: late aquisition , clearing the site, wet weather and a bad back . But my resolve is to make a concerted effort over the winter so I’m up and running early in the New Year. Two questions to help me achieve this. First, I did get some vegetables, but I used plug plants. Not the most cost effective way. So I’m looking to make some cold frames. I should be able to design something as a novice, but I’m sure I’ll end up with the ‘I wish I had done it that way’ feeling. So has anyone got tips or sketches, plans etc so I get it right first time?

Second, I never managed to get the bare root strawberry plants into the ground – they only got as far as individual plant pots. Can I store them as bare roots over the winter and if so how do I go about it?

Regards

Everybody and post with you soon.

George

[marmite]

You could approach a double glazing installer to see if they have any old usable frames that they have removed from a property and make a frame to fit. Make sure they slope from back to the front so the rain will run off. Hight depends on you but 18 inch at back to 12 inch at front should do. Try to use recycled wood as will save the old money box being raided. Old broken scaffold boards are good and last long. If not try making frame and use industrial plastic as cover but make it is removable so you can water the young healthy plants you put in there.Regards from Marmite.

[Paul Sill]

Pallet wood is good, I have just built some raised beds and some planters with it, looks good too, and most places you can get them free.

[lazydog]

try freecycle or freegle as it is now it its your friend for old windows and stuff

[templebell]

Lazy getting back to you guys - sorry

As luck would have it work was throwing away a lot of large wooden packing cases. So a word with the storeman and a morning with a lump hammer sorted me out. Now to get them built over the winter

George