How to Make a Cold Frame Out of Old Windows
If you live in Florida or Southern California, long growing seasons and year-round temperate weather mean that growing tomatoes or melons isn't a problem. For the rest of us, tricking Mother Nature is a necessity. A cold frame lets in the sun's rays and keeps warmth under glass and allow seeds to sprout and seedlings to take root. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Arrange the hay bales in a square with an empty space in the middle. Start with one bale. Place a second perpendicular to the first. Set a third bale parallel to the first, with it's end butting against the second bale. Set the last bale parallel to the second bale. The narrower ends of all four bales should be overlapping the ends of their neighboring bales.
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Lay the window across the top of the bales to test for coverage. Slide the side bales closer together or further apart as necessary. The window should rest firmly on the edges of all four bales.
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Attach a cabinet handle to the top of each long edge of the window frame using the drill. This will help to lift and move the window from the top of the frame.
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Set the frame back over the cold frame once it's filled with soil and seedlings, or seed trays. To vent, simply slide the frame over enough to allow heat to escape and fresh air in to the space between the bales and the frame.
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Tips & Warnings
A larger frame can be made with six hay bales and two windows hinged together side-to-side.
When you're done using your cold frame, the hay can be used as mulch or composted.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Traditional cold frame image by Shirley Hirst from Fotolia.com
