[Judd]

I'm considering making a coldframe,as you may or may not know I'm a total beginner  so, to get to the salient point:
Do I need one?
I intend growing the normal stuff this first year eg:- Carrots,Cabbages,Leeks ,Onions,Potatos  you know just the basic stuff.
Also,what do you actually use it for?

I thought I'd make an aluminium frame and glaze the sides as well so it would be portable.

[Willie_Eckerslike]

I have a coldframe which is great for my brassicas.
I sow them in trays on the staging in my unheated greenhouse and then pot them up into 3" pots. They then go into the coldframe, freeing up my greenhouse ready for my tomato's etc.

I keep potting up the brassicas until ready for planting out. Lifting the lid on mild days allows me to harden them off for the outdoor world. I wouldn't be without mine.

[mumofstig]

this was asked a couple of months ago, the replies may help 
http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=85068.msg946271#msg946271

[Judd]

I've read that one already,thanks Mum :blink:

Thanks Willie,that's the kind of 'how to do it' answer I need.(Dumb )

So do I need a greenhouse as well?

[Willie_Eckerslike]

I've read that one already,thanks Mum :blink:

Thanks Willie,that's the kind of 'how to do it' answer I need.(Dumb )

So do I need a greenhouse as well?

If you wish to grow tomatos I would say yes. I have tried to grow outdoor toms for several year and always lose them to blight, just as they are beginning to ripen. In the north of England, we don't seem to get mild enough weather to ripen them before the blight season begins.

[Judd]

Not even thought about Tomatos yet!
By the way 'a module' is that a plant that has started to grow and has been put in a pot?

[Willie_Eckerslike]

Not even thought about Tomatos yet!
By the way 'a module' is that a plant that has started to grow and has been put in a pot?

Have a look here for modules.

http://www.gardenorganic.org.uk/factsheets/gs1.php

[Judd]

Excellent Willie,just what I need :blink:

Thanks

[gobs]

Coldframes are like greenhouse space, you can never have enough of them.

[Trillium]

Do you really need a coldrame? No.

Are they useful? Very.

Can't wait for spring to build the series of cold frames I've planned behind a new block wall in the veg garden. Just finished the wall this year, so frames will be custom built to fit that space this year. It will definitely ease the hardening off burden of a grazing housecat, too small house, no greenhouse, and a small porch.

[BabbyAnn]

I also use the cold frames without the lids for crops such as outdoor cucumbers in growbags - the sides give a little protection from strong winds especially when the plants are newly planted and also creates a warm micro environment  :blink:

[Lulu]

I have a cold frame and find it invaluable for hardening off plants - its very useful and I also use it in the summer to act as a safe area from my destructive spaniel.  If you can have one - get one but its not an essential.  Ask Santa for one 

[DD.]

If you wish to grow tomatos I would say yes. I have tried to grow outdoor toms for several year and always lose them to blight, just as they are beginning to ripen. In the north of England, we don't seem to get mild enough weather to ripen them before the blight season begins.

I have a friend in the same county as Judd, (Huddersfield), who has had a cracking crop of outdoor toms.

Blight depends very much on the year and for the most part of England there's been very little around. I've not had to do precautionary sprays this year and have had a wonderful crop - far, far better than my indoor ones. The outdoor ones also seem to develop a better flavour.

"North of England" covers a very large area, perhaps you could pop your rough location into your profile, so that we know approximately to which area you refer.

[Judd]

I have a south facing wall with a walled concrete area in front of it about 12' square ,the wall is approx 3 1/2 ft high.
Could I make a cold frame to sit against the wall,upright with shelves in,would this be any good?
It get's pretty warm even in the winter when the sun is out!

I'm thinking of getting a polytunnel now.

[BabbyAnn]

I have a south facing wall with a walled concrete area in front of it about 12' square ,the wall is approx 3 1/2 ft high.
Could I make a cold frame to sit against the wall,upright with shelves in,would this be any good?
It get's pretty warm even in the winter when the sun is out!

I'm thinking of getting a polytunnel now.

 :blink: sounds good to me