Sunday 31 July 2011

Building a Cold Frame.

Today started out sunny and proved to be the perfect day for building my Cold Frame.

A Cold Frame is usually made of timber with a lid of glass and is used to help seeds germinate when it is still cold outside and a little warmth and protection is needed.

I found an old window and also some off cuts of timber in our shed. The window is about 60cm x 65 cm, not to big so i can move the cold frame around the garden as needed without straining my back.
I measured the timber to size and used a power drill to put together(12 screws), I then placed the window on top of the frame and used two hinges to attach it.


On the inside of the frame I screwed a piece of timber to use as a prop when the lid is up.

Next i used some silicon around the glass panes to keep them secure.


A light sand and then 2 coats of paint on the window frame and it was ready to be used.

Thanks to Phoebe for the link to these fantastic Italian seeds, great value, you get heaps of seeds in a larger than normal foil pack which  makes it easier to use and store.

So i planted lettuce, dill and onions.



The important thing to remember , on a sunny day the lid needs to be lifted or the emerging seedlings will get burnt and then in the late afternoon lid needs to be closed.

While I was waiting for the paint to dry i sanded my garage sale "find" with a great little electric power tool called a mouse.

Now while i was busy Bob was working on his new project!    
      


Restoring an old stone building, was probably used to store milk, butter and meat many many years ago!!

Hope you all had a good weekend!!      Ciao!! 4 weeks to go!!!!

6 comments:

  1. i.love.the.cold.frame.and.may.follow.suit.
    what.are.you.going.to.use.the.stone.building.for?

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  2. Great work on the cold frame and planting of seeds, and I just love that old stone building! It'll be interesting to see what you'll do with it.

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  3. thankyou for dropping by, during the late 1800's many people came searching for gold and to enjoy the natural springs in this area.Many from the Swiss/Italian border of Bellinzona,Bergamo and Intra.There are many existing homes,sheds,small buildings and plenty of ruins.We were lucky this little building still had a roof to protect the stonework. Plan is to make it a second bathroom to our cottage by way of a covered walk way.Bob plans to renovate the cottage while im on my trip,
    promises me there will be at least a toilet when i get home!! but thats another story!

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  4. The cold frame looks FANTASTIC! I like the idea of glass instead of plastic and good on you for doing it yourself!

    The stone building is gorgeous! I'd like it for a little garden house, perhaps an old timber table setting and some stone paving out the front and a pretty Mediterranean garden around it with a fruit tree for shade... I digress.

    Actually Andrea, I went and bought a pomegranate tree after seeing yours in a previous post! I cant wait to put it in! I just loved how it looked with bare branches and fruit in winter...

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  5. So that's a cold frame, how clever and super impressed with your power tool prowess. I try (being loathe to admit I can't do something) but I don't quite have the knack of my husband.

    The seeds look good to, I'll have to have a look at the site.

    Can't wait to see the little building restored.

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  6. Thanks for your kind words, Phoebe i did want it for a potting shed but I didn't win this one. But there will be a courtyard with a stone retaining wall,table/chairs and terracotta pots with lots of color.
    A tree for shade definitaly, but not sure what type yet.

    Now thenewgoodlife, yes you could build something, its all trial and error and practice.
    Hubby did give me some advice on measuring/holding tools correctly etc but I did do it my way, and it worked,just don't look too closely!

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Thanks for dropping by and taking the time to comment,I love reading them all!!