How to Build Cold Frames

Get your family's victory garden off to a good start. Learn how to build inexpensive cold frames with directions from the 1894 book How to Make the Garden Pay.

Cold Frame

Cold frames are simple affairs - box-like structures covered with sashes. The latter are the chief part, and involve the real expense in the construction of such frames, but being a staple article of commerce, and manufactured with special machinery in special factories, can now be bought at (or ordered through) any supply store at moderate prices.

The usual size is 6 feet in length by 3 feet in width, and the frames are made to correspond, namely 6 feet wide and 3 feet in length for every sash to be accommodated.

The selection of site is important. The proper place for frames is in convenient proximity to the water supply, and also in a position sheltered from the north and west, facing south or south-east. A close and tall hedge of evergreens affords a most excellent protection, but if such does not happen to be where it can be utilized for the purpose, a tight board fence, at least six feet high, must be built at the north side of the beds and extending their whole length. A building, hedge or board fence at the west is also desirable. In this comfortable situation construct your system of frames, making it as easily accessible as convenient for operation, and as snug generally as circumstances will permit. The frame is set on top of the ground, no excavation being required. The back is made of boards 12 inches wide, nailed to stakes driven in the ground at the ends and middle of each board; the front consists of boards only 8 inches wide, and fastened to stakes in the same manner, at a uniform distance of 6 feet from the first. When the necessary end pieces are adjusted we have a close fitting box, 4 inches lower in front than at the back.

From the book, HOW TO MAKE THE GARDEN PAY, 1894

Garden Cold Frames

This is part of an article from the book The Kitchen Garden Guide