How to make a cold frame

You can make your own cold frame cheaply and easily. Here, we have used a standard 100cm x 120cm pallet to create the base and an old window, 115cm x 130cm to make the top.

You Will Need

• Strong wooden pallets
• Metal braces
• Hinges
• Old window
• Plywood
• Block of wood
• Electric drill

Total time: 15 minutes

Step 1

Place the pallet on the ground. Use two 10cm x 5cm x 85cm pieces of timber as the wall supports. Saw the tops so they slope downwards and screw to the wall.

Step 2

Use two pieces of 23cm x 5cm timber for the cold frame's sides. Cut them to the same length as the pallet, then screw them to the wall supports and the pallets.

Step 3

For the front of the cold frame, take two lengths of 15cm x 5cm timber, screw one to the front of the pallet and attach the other on top. Hold together with metal braces.

Step 4

Get someone to help you hold the window in position against the wall, and attach it to the wall supports using 7.5cm hinges.

Step 5

With the window closed, measure and cut two pieces of 1.2cm-thick plywood for the sides. Screw these to the wall supports and the front using corner braces.

Step 6

Screw a block of wood, as thick as the window frame, to the wall to the side of the window. Attach a length of wood that is free to swivel to hold the window open.