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Small cold frame recommendation

ElferElfer Posts: 329
in Tools and techniques
Newbie propogator looking for a small (cheap) cold frame. For now I am looking to propogate some hydrangea cuttings and since I am doing it a bit late in the year thought it's best to give them a bit more time from the elements by using a cold frame. What and where from should I buy?

Thanks in advance

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,133
    I've always built my own when needed, but I've used a company called Greenfingers [based up here] for bits and pieces, and they stock all sorts of small frames  and greenhouses etc.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • ElferElfer Posts: 329
    I hadn't thought of making one but a simple one seems easy enough. I have also seen this type priced between £26 (amazon) & £40 (local GC), will it do the job?


  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,133
    They're a waste of time really, and money if you're paying 40 quid!
    You can buy them in those cheapo shops if you have any nearby - Home Bargains and B&M etc. Much cheaper. 
    They only keep the worst of the weather off - ie rain and snow etc, so they're ok for certain things, but they have to be securely tethered to a wall or fence, or they'll disappear down the road on the first windy day, if you have a windier location.  There's no heat retention and they get searingly hot on warm days. The covers fail after a couple of years too - sometimes less. 
    Making a basic cold frame from some timber or breeze blocks, and a bit of perspex or an old window [if you have one] for the lid,  is cheaper and easy to do.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 11,154
    It's definitely a case of you get what you pay for l think.
    Something like this would give you reasonable protection, especially if it's up against a house wall.
    If the weather turns really chilly you can a layer a sheet of two of fleece to give extra protection. 
    https://www.wilko.com/wilko-wooden-cold-frame-greenhouse/p/0504152?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIyrfezPbg8gIVV4jVCh2chwP5EAQYASABEgLXIfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds
  • ElferElfer Posts: 329
    Great tips and suggestions, thanks all.
  • nick615nick615 Posts: 1,285
    Double glazing firms quite often scrap the old windows they replace and are glad if someone wants to take them away to save them the trouble.  They can make excellent cold frames - free.
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 50,133
    When I moved into this house 8 years ago and wanted to do a cold frame, I got two windows from a friend when she was getting new double glazing. The b***dy things were so heavy I abandoned the idea. It's a pity, as they were a great size. They're still sitting behind the shed.
    I'll have to take them to the tip at some point - if I can ever lift them into the car  ;)  
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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