How to Make a Cold Frame Out of PVC

PVC tubing can be used to build garden structures.

A vegetable gardener can extend her growing season and grow a few cool-weather vegetables, like lettuce, celery and Swiss chard during the early part of spring and again in fall when weather is unpredictable with a cold frame. A cold frame can also protect delicate flowering plants during the winter. Don't spend money on a pricey store-bought cold frame though, you can save money, and get a frame exactly the size you need by making your own with PVC pipes.

Things You'll Need

• 1/2-inch diameter PVC pipe
• Bag of 1/2-inch PVC "T" joints
• 1/2-inch 3-way elbow connectors, 2
• PVC cutters
• Clear plastic sheeting.
• Ground stakes
• Zip ties
• PVC glue

Instructions

1. Cut each of three PVC pipes into four equal sections. Take two of cut pieces and fit a three-way elbow onto each end, making sure that the assembly lays flat with one open end pointing up and the other open end of the elbows are facing flat. Attach a length of PVC to the open end of the connector so you form a square with one open end. To this open end you now attach a T-connector.

2. Attach a T-connector to the now open end of tubing so you have one end of the "T" facing upwards and the other end still pointing in the same direction as the rest of the tubing.
   The final open end of the connect should be pointing flat along the ground. Insert a piece of PVC into the flat end on one side and fit the other end into the "T" on the other side, so you create your square.

3. Insert another piece of PVC into the free end of the T-joint followed by another piece of PVC and another T-joint, this time pointing up. Continue as before until you have one piece of PVC left to complete the final end making a long rectangle with alternating "T"'s one pointing up and one facing along the ground like rungs on a ladder. Lay it out flat so it is straight and level, then if you are happy with the way things look you can use the PVC glue to cement each connection.

4. Place the frame you just made against a flat wall. Cut enough 4-foot sections of PVC to place one into each upright T-connector. Apply PVC cement into the top of the three-way elbow fitting and on one end of the long PVC pipe, then insert one long piece of PVC pipe into the open end of the T-joint on one side of your frame then continue to do this with all elbows pointing upwards. Wait for the PVC glue to dry.

5. Carefully bend the piece of PVC until you can fit it into the open end of the "T" on the other side of the frame, glue into place. Repeat the above with the each T-fitting to complete the frame.

6. Cover the ends of your frame with a sheet of plastic and tape securely into place using clear packing tape. Spread clear plastic over frame using the zip ties to secure it into place. Fold the plastic over frame on the ends and tape securely with clear packing tape.

Tips & Warnings

• Once your cold frame is in place over your plants you should use the stakes to secure it in place so that the wind does not flip your frame.

• Cut small holes into the top of plastic on the cold frame to allow moisture to escape.

• You still need to lift the cold frame to water your plants.

References

• University of Maine Extension: Garden Equipment and Items to Make for the Maine Garden