Cold frames build

Did you ever want an easy way to expand your greenhouse in an affordable way?

You can do just that and in a cost effective way with some resourceful finds.

I like to go to the hardware store a lot! I’m a tool and gadget person that likes to explore and find new ways to be creative. Free! Yes please. So pallets. I know, everyone has made a ton of things with pallets. Hear me out. Find free pallets. Be sure they are not marked for use with heat treatment or chemical use. This is important if you plan to use your cold frames for your veggie!

Pallets! Check

Also, we need windows. Friends are the best, especially when they are replacing their entire house of windows. Other sources, window companies, are just going to send old windows to the junkyard. Why not reuse, and recycle those puppies! It’s a win-win. Antique and thrift shops are great too! Just watch for lead paint.

Now, to the hardware store. Screws, I got the 2 1/2 inch coated for outdoor use. If there is moisture in the cold frame, best option available.

Other tools to consider, depending on how you want to tackle disassembling some pallets. Crow bar and hammer, sawzall, circular saw, or small utility saw. Please use what your comfort level is. Safety goggles.

Basically ripping apart all parts or some parts of pallets to utilize on other pallets for “sides.” My husband was really good at this. You can really take out frustrations as long as the parts are still intact for use, mostly.

Laying the windows flat on the ground where your intended cold frames will go, gives one a good starting point. There is no pattern, so you don’t have a particular way to built them.

Measure length and width to get your basic pattern for the frames. Move the windows out of the way.

In the photo above, in the background the first one was built nearly the height of the pallets. Not so good when you trying to pull out trays of plants from the bottom. You may land on your head in the cold frame. So the prototype was a good learning experience that I’m going to better insulate and make a permanent bed for winter crops. Just fill as tall as you like inside the box with dirt and horticultural sand.

Another great tip it to reuse old boxes. Just be sure to not have any staples or tape. I just lined the bottoms of the cold frames. No weeding and no chemical!