[IanG]

I'm starting to build a big cold frame on a West facing wall. It will be about 20' long 5' high 2' deep with a couple of auto opening roof vents & the whole frontage will be removeable/slideable. I'm growing tomatoes, chillis, peppers & salad leaves in it.

The question is; should I build a soil base into it & plant directly into soil OR plant in pots on a gravel base? What automatic watering system would you recommend? [I have just bought a soaker hose & timer]

My preferred method would be to use pots [so I can rotate & move them] on gravel & water from underneath using the soaker hose.

p.s. I live in a terrace property with a totally decked back garden so I don't currently have any earth borders. This also means that when I have to change soil I need to take it through the house & off to the dump.

I can easily add water & electric to the cold-frame, although I prefer to look at it as a greenhouse that you work from outside. I could even build a 'heated section' into it for the winter months.

Any help/criticism would be appreciated

[Kleftiwallah]

20 feet long  my that's a long one!

Plumbers have a 240V solenoid operated valve, I've fitted one into the (say it quietly - hose pipe system) and operated by a standard 24 hour electrical timer.  Works a treat.

I would go for the soil base, oops, just read about the terrace.  Looks like pots.


Cheers,    Tony.

[jrko]

For ease of disposal I would grow bags.  You can just make holes for plants and carry them thru the house easily when finished

I use them in my greenhouse at the plot and just use 2 planks to hold them on their side - that way you get nice deep roots.  When I've finished with them I empty the bags on the plot.

[IanG]

Thanks for the feedback I'll post feedback as to how it all works out...