Only the cover creates the ideal conditions for seeds and plants in the self-built cold frame. Otherwise the effect of the natural heating will fizzle out in the cold air. You can read here how the construction is inexpensive and uncomplicated.

A cover for the cold frame can be built inexpensively with the Vario frame

Material and tool list

The following materials and tools are required to cover a cold frame that is 140 cm long and 80 cm deep:

  • 1 Vario hanger set with 2 side parts, including foil protection strips and self-drilling screws
  • Greenhouse film (€15.90) or grid film
  • 5-7 wooden slats as a base for the greenhouse film
  • cable ties
  • Wood tacker with staples
  • drilling machine
  • folding rule, pen
  • cutter knife

An additional center bracket is required for a bed length of 150 to 250 cm.

Foil tunnel puts the crown on the cold frame - this is how it works with Vario hangers

To ensure that your cold frame has a weatherproof and stable cover, we recommend using prepared Vario brackets. This creates a tunnel construction that gives your plants enough space to grow and keeps the warmth of the filling in place. How to assemble the cover correctly:

  • Position the Vario bracket on the wooden frame of the cold frame (mount temporary strips if necessary)
  • Screw the fastening straps to the wooden frame
  • Mark the positions for the slats on the brackets
  • Align the slats and secure with cable ties

Pull the greenhouse film over the slats that are connected to the Vario brackets. First staple the film firmly, then screw it to the wooden slats with the self-drilling screws and nuts. At this point, no screws are used in the area of the Vario bracket. The cable ties can then be removed. The slat-foil construction has not yet been firmly screwed to the vario brackets because the side parts still have to be covered.

To cover the side parts with foil, remove the foil-covered slats from the Vario brackets. Now attach the greenhouse film as side walls. This step is easier to do if you first remove the Vario bracket from the cold frame. Finally, put all the components together and now screw the slat-foil cover to the Vario brackets.

tips

A tunnel-shaped cover is the optimal solution for a stone cold frame. In summer, replace the airtight foil with an insect protection net to grow vegetables on the bed surface without heat build-up.

Category:

Garden design