Richard Brooks wrote:
Amber wrote:
I have been looking about for ideas how to make a simple cold
frame
(not very talented DIYer) Quite a few sites that sell wooden cold
frames have ones with solid sides and only the top is clear. Would
this not make it so that the plants would be shadowed? I am
presuming it is done for ease? Would it be better to make the
front
and top clear? If it is not going to be moved would making the
north
side brick to allow heat retention?

Thanks in advance
amber


You'd be surprised how heavy a frame lid gets the larger the area
of
glass there is! The front is usually angled downward so the
surface
catches the slightest bit of sun and the brick or solid front gives
good support to the front lip of the frame.

If you're using some sort of polythene then the weight is not a
problem but the plasticiser in the material breaks down and the
whole
lot turns to a brittle mess up by the end of the year so needs
replacing repeatedly. That and birds dropping things through it!
Then again, you can add the polythene replacement to your yearly
chores!

There's no need to use perishable polythene for lightness: there's a
choice of UV-resistant roofing sheets which last well.
Single-thickness flat, single-thickness corrugated, and twin-wall.
There's no need to have clear material on front or sides: wood,
block, or even metal will do (though metal will need some
insulation). You can use whatever's lying about -- my first was just
a cut-down plywood packing case, and it worked well, but it didn't
last long.

Bear in mind that full sun isn't always the best aspect for a frame:
a north-facing one won't cook tender seedlings such as primulas.

--
Mike.