How to Build a 4 Season Cold Frame with a Removable Polycarbonate/Plastic Top: Multipurpose Growing!

This cold frame was built using a removable polycarbonate top that slides into place. It can be added in the fall and winter and removed during the spring and summer. It is perfect for cool weather crops, early spring seed starting and plant acclimation during the cold periods. The top can be stored away and you can use it like a raised bed during the spring and summer. Multipurpose!

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[David-fvzg]

Think thrice, measure twice, and cut once. Excellent Gary.

[TheRainHarvester]

I use old plexiglass sheets.
Last night I put two thermometers outside. One inside, one outside of a cold frame made with plexiglass.
6 to 7°F difference. For greater difference, I could put cardboard on top for the night.

[MookieCards]

You need to put a center bar mid way to support the poly from snow weight as it can bend witg weight

[skeeterburke]

Ladies! What a cute idea, if you used an old window on top! Like those coffee tables that you can put stuff in. Yeah?

[robertkat]

Here in Canada a 4X8 sheet costs $120, my raised bed needs 2. I can buy a lot of vegs for $240 plus the frame and work.

[jasondclark]

I love the idea, but I am thinking that the polycarbonate will need to be reinforced to handle the weight of the snow. Do you get much where you are at?

[laurenrshe-her]

Thanks for the instructional video!! Have you thought about checking out Community Forklift (Bladensburg MD) or The Loading Dock (Baltimore) for old windows instead of using plastic?

[cherriemckinstry]

I love this design and it can fit almost anywhere! Thank you for the video.

[mattingly]

I was just thinking about building one the other day....can't believe how quickly this cold came on this year... its like I had cucumbers growing 2 weeks ago just fine.... not anymore

[sherileepoetcmt]

Would the wind be able to blow out the polycarbonate top? I live in a sometimes very windy area.

[cocobrwngl]

Where did you get the polycarbonate sheet for this project?

[donzilia]

Nice build, thanks for sharing. One thing to note: polycarbonate manufacturers stipulate that the the flutes (aka channels) running from top to bottom of the structure, not across. To allow condensation/moisture to run down and out rather than remaining trapped. With your landscape-shape design, this would necessitate cutting the portrait-shape polycarbonate and using H-channels to join them together, which makes for more work and expense. And as you are removing yours, there may be the opportunity to clean the flutes as necessary, though that sounds like a potentially tricky job. So there’s a trade-off between convenience and functionality. As with most things in life :-)

[noelfarevaag]

I built this a few days ago. I have to be honest I’m not a carpenter and I’ll do better on the next one. But it’s getting down to 25 at night (it’s mid April in Alaska so it’s still cold). Any suggestions? I read the comment about adding a compost bucket and am considering trying it 🤷🏼‍♀️

[mattingly]

Put bricks or pavers on the bottom to absorb and retain heat

[IrrationalDiversions]

I might make this over the winter to have it ready for spring. Would it help with heat if it were painted black to absorb more of the suns heat?

[dougalpaugh]

How far into the ground do you countersink the coldframe frame?

[genemyersmyers]

Where did you find the polycarbonate ???

[TakeNoneForTheTeam]

What if... You made a cold frame heated by compost? Place 5 gallon buckets in the bottom/floor. They will hold back soil and accept another bucket. Fill another with manure and leaves, and sprinkle in urea (46-0-0) from southern states (under $20/bag). Those will get up to 150 degrees and heat the shed. When they are done heating, you pick up the nested bucket, dump it, and refill it. You can leave some empty if it's too hot. Use lumber with hundreds of holes as your floor over the buckets so heat can pass but it's solid to walk on. I don't know, just an idea and would probably be a fun experiment even if somewhat impractical. Maybe it will be amazing???

[jamesetal]

Glazing angle = degree of latitude + 20 degrees. Dont make yourself crazy with this, rounding a little is fine.

[kamerad]

Dimensional lumber (2x4; 2x8; 2x12, etc.) is always .5 inch narrower than listed to compensate for 1/2 inch drywall, plywood, and particle board in construction. It makes the math easier. Just like 12x12 inch tile is actually 11.75" to allow .25 inch for the grout.