How do I Build a Window Cold Frame?

Cold frames are an important tool for gardeners who like to grow plants in early spring or late fall. These frames generally incorporate a pane of glass or plastic that is propped up on wood to provide space for plants to grow. The glass or plastic creates a microclimate that is a little warmer than the environment outside. In the spring, this allows plants to get a head start before transplanting. In the fall, it allows the gardener to protect important plants or help plants in a fall or winter garden survive the winter.

1 old window, a maximum of 3 feet at its widest point
6 feet of 2x4 wood, untreated
7 pieces of 2x4 the length of the longest part of the window
7 pieces of 2x4 the length of the shortest part of the window
18 spike nails
Lead-paint test kit
Hinges (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  
  If you can find an old, weathered window with no paint, that is best.
  
  Make sure that the window is suitable for the garden. Use the lead test kit to ensure that any paint that is on the window is not contaminated with lead; you do not want lead in your garden beds. Usually this involves taking a paint scraping and swabbing it with the test kit, then examining the color to determine whether lead is present.
  
  The ideal window is one that is unpainted.
- 2
  
  Cut the wood to size.
  
  Use a hand saw or a circular saw to cut the 2x4s into seven pieces that are the length of your window. Use the saw to cut the 2x4 into six more pieces that are the width of your window. Cut a seventh piece to that length, then mark a diagonal line from corner to corner lengthwise and cut again to form two long triangles. Finally, use the saw to cut the 6-foot 2x4 into three 2-foot-long pieces. These are the props for your window. Make sure that the ends have no jagged pieces sticking out, since this makes it difficult to use the 2x4s as props. If your plants are a lot higher than 1.5 feet, you will need to cut longer pieces of 2x4.
- 3
  
  The cold frame's window top can be opened on warm days so plants don't fry.
  
  Build a base for your cold frame. Create a rectangle on the ground around the plants with two smaller and two larger pieces of 2x4. The rectangle should be the shape and size of the window. Place another 2x4 on top of each of the pieces of the rectangle. Use large spike nails to nail the pieces together. Place the third 2x4 pieces on top of the other pieces, and nail them together as well. Place the long triangular pieces on the sides, with the narrow end of the sloped side to the front. Place the last long 2x4 on the longer back side of the cold frame.
- 4
  Place the window on the base; if you want, you can attach it to the base with hinges.
  
  Use the extra 2x4s as props to hold the window up and give the plants some air when needed.

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