Cold Frame Notes Thank you for participating in the Cold Frame Construction Workshop. This is the 2nd, in a series of six, deconstruction and material salvage workshops, offered by Building Material Thrift Store (BMTS). The workshops are part of the Hailey Community Climate Challenge’s deconstruction and material salvage program. The BMTS is a partner of the Hailey Community Climate Challenge. Material needed to build your cold frame from reclaimed materials:
Pre-hung window o If not pre-hung, you will need some hinges, a 2x4 (or larger) to connect the hinges to, extra frame material, and weather stripping. Frame material (2x6 or larger, dependant on desired finished height). 1 handle to lift window pane. 1” dowel (or similar) to support the window while ventilating cold frame (lid is open). 2x2 material for a stake (sharpened to a point) in each corner.
Tools needed to build your cold frame: Demolition Pry bar Nail puller Sledge Hammer Gloves Sawzall Power cord Putty knife for scraping mud Construction Saw horses Skil-saw Tape measure Pencil Frame square, EZ Square Screw Gun (with spare batteries, hopefully already charged!) 3” screws Self-tapping screws (if using a metal framed unit) Drill bit index (for metal and wood) Caulk and gun Weather-strip foam tape Screws with washers (if adhering foam insulation board) Broom (for cleaning material?)
Building your cold frame:
Choose a window size for your location. The bigger the glass, the heavier the end product. If using a pre-hung window disable the latch and crank mechanism. You want the window to open and close freely by lifting it. Decide on the finished height you want and cut frame material to proper sizes. Set the window frame on top of the newly constructed frame and drill pilot holes and set attachment screws through window frame into the bottom frame. Attach stakes in the corners to fasten the frame to the earth. Weather seal with caulk at any wood-to-wood joint and foam weather strip around the wood where the window rests. Attach insulated foam boards around the base, if desired. Paint the frame, if desired, and attach it the ground. Happy planting!
Using your cold frame:
Cold frames create a microclimate that can extend your growing season. Cold frames can be left in place all year or removed. Be sure to have proper ventilation (raise the lid) when the sun gets strong – you don’t want to fry the starts. Glass lets the freezing night temps through, so cover the frames with an old blanket when temps aren’t friendly to the plants. Frames can be used to melt/pre-heat the soil in late winter (March) to get an early start. Frames can also be used to protect tender plants from early fall frosts. Frames can be built with a higher back (if desired), glass front/sides, with insulation and out of pretty much any kind of material. Large plastic bottles, filled with water and painted black, can provide additional heat at night. Minimizing infiltration is essential – berm soil around the base of the frame, caulk all joints, use weather stripping at edges of openings.
The Environmental Resource Center is a partner of the Hailey Community Climate Challenge, involved in helping to coordinate education and outreach for all Challenge programs, including this workshop.