Is your neighbor always one step ahead with magnificent plants? Then it's probably because of his cold frame. In this inconspicuous box, the planting thrives as early as February. This guide explains how to set up your own cold frame correctly, all about professional construction.

A cold frame can be made of wood or stone

Simple functionality - different model variants

The cold frame works like a miniature greenhouse. So that seedlings and plants can thrive here from February/March, the sun's rays and a special filling ensure sufficient heat, which is held in place by a movable cover. Anyone who only relies on the sun's rays as a heat source uses side parts and covers made of transparent material, such as double-wall sheets. If you integrate natural heating into the structure, the side parts can be made of wood. The following models are suitable for the cold frame:

  • Wooden frame with disused windows as cover
  • Glass or plastic frame and cover
  • Aluminum box with plastic lid
  • Cold frame tunnel made of weatherproof, transparent foil

If you set up your box-shaped cold frame correctly, use a model that slopes slightly towards the south. So your plants can still benefit from the light even when the sun is low in the sky. In addition, rain runs off faster. For good ventilation, it is important that you can open the lid. Electric vents automatically provide fresh air when a certain temperature level is exceeded.

Flexible dimensions - you should pay attention to this with the width

The dimensions of a cold frame depend on the space available. The more space is available, the longer boxes or foil tunnels (€11.46) can be. The width, on the other hand, should be limited to a maximum of 100 cm so that you can easily reach all plants from the edge.

The heart of the construction - filling as natural heating

A cold frame acts as a cold box if only the sun acts as a heat source. By integrating a sophisticated filling as natural heating into the structure, you can optimize your cold frame into a warm frame with an extra-long service life of up to 365 days. Before you set up the frame construction in the garden, prepare the site as follows:

  • Dig a pit 50 cm deep in a sunny spot
  • Line the sole with vole wire and a 5-10 cm layer of leaves
  • Fill in a 20 cm thick layer of horse manure
  • Put a 20 cm thick layer of garden soil, compost, green waste and horn meal on top

The decomposition process of the filling generates a heat of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius in the tightly closed cold frame within 8 to 10 days. These are the ideal conditions for sowing and planting while it is still bitterly cold outdoors.

tips

Upcycling of Euro pallets (€29.99) is very popular in order to conjure up furniture or flower boxes (€16.99). Resourceful house gardeners simply build a cold frame themselves from old or new pallets. With a little manual skill, the wooden transport documents are converted and provided with a transparent cover.

Category:

Garden design