Would this work as a "cold frame"

[Selena]

Somewhere along the line I acquired a small, oval shaped, stock water tank - 58 inches long, 22 1/2 inches wide and approximately 24 inches deep. The thought occurred to me that, with a little work, I could turn this into a cold frame. Rocks or other type of stone on the bottom so it wasn't so deep and a piece of plexiglass (or glass) to cover the top. Think it would work? If not, any other ideas besides using it for water?

[Horselover]

You want this for a winter garden? I think you would have to bury most of the tank and put glass on it. The glass would give it insulation somewhat and draw the heat from the sun. I don't know if plexiglass would do that.
But, it sounds like a good idea to me. Just be sure it is on the south side facing the sun.
Unless I am missing the point altogether and if so I apologize.

[donsgal]

Originally Posted by Selena

Somewhere along the line I acquired a small, oval shaped, stock water tank - 58 inches long, 22 1/2 inches wide and approximately 24 inches deep. The thought occurred to me that, with a little work, I could turn this into a cold frame. Rocks or other type of stone on the bottom so it wasn't so deep and a piece of plexiglass (or glass) to cover the top. Think it would work? If not, any other ideas besides using it for water?

It probably would work, but with metal you are going to have to do a lot of insulating to keep the cold out, which will be hard given the oval shape. But you might as well use it for something!

donsgal

[minnikin1]

I think it's a great idea, especially if it's one of those black ones.
You could dig it into the ground at a slight angle to catch more sun but still make the soil inside level.
Insulate what is exposed above ground with hay and you're set.
No pests could dig in there...
Let us know if it works...

[swampgirl]

I was thinking about doing something like that, but wondered if I should cut the bottom out of it for good drainage, since we have lots of rain here usually. I picked up three old shower doors off a trash pile recently & wondered how they would work on a cold frame, built to their size. They are heavy, heavy glass-like & frosted, so I was wondering if enough sun would get through?

[Rita]

Selena, When I made some raised beds I used some old logs to fill in the bottom. You might want to use them rather than rocks as the plant roots can get into them and they will absorb excess water and eventually rot and turn to soil.

[sue currin]

I thank with the humitidy that will get in there, that alega would be a problem, as it realy likes metal, but if you paint it black with 2 or more coats of paint it might help with this, and also give you more heat.

[Selena]

Painting it sounds like a good idea and as we have 4 1/2 acres of woods at the new place, old logs are plentiful. I'll have to scout around the property to see if there is a n easy access spot to partially bury it. A few added drain holes may not be a bad idea either.

[GrannyG]

I have two of these that I use to grow lettuce, spinach in. I use an old glass storm door over the top of it and keep a thermometer inside. Our temperatures get cold, and it freezes, but I have beautiful spinach and lettuce in the early spring. I throw compost in these and also have some cow manure in the bottom of it.