Building cold frame questions.

[Oldcountryboy]

This coming fall I'm thinking of putting in some lettuce, broccoli, cabbage and spinach beds and use a cold frame over them to extend their growing season.

I'm thinking of making the cold frames out of pvc pipe. Do you think 1/2 inch pvc would work for about 4 foot wide beds? Or would they be too flimsy? Thinking of running a ridge pipe down the middle to help sturdy the setup. Should I go bigger and if so, what size do you recommend?

[rwinsouthla]

Never made a cold frame 'cause we don't need 'em. BUT.....Maybe the ridge pipe with a little addition....can you cut the ridge pipe about every 3-4 feet or so, add a pvc cross, 4-way tee or whatever you call it, and extend another piece down at a 90 degree angle from the ridge? Think that would help??? You'd have to weigh the cost of the additional 4-ways plus the additional 1/2 inch pipe to 3/4.

BTW...what would you cover it with? Visqueen (sp?) would blow away down here with the late fall, early winter fronts and winds that come with them. Act like a sail. Not uncommon to have 30-40 mph gusts with the winter storms we get.

Hope this helps.

[wy_white_wolf]

http://www.pvcplans.com/coldframe.htm

If you build it peaked like the plan shows you should have no problem with the 4' width as long as you also keep them down to 4' long sections. You will have to protect them if you live in an area of heavy snow.

[wy_white_wolf]

http://www.pvcplans.com/pitchedrow.htm

Another design that spands 6'. Not sure what size pipe it uses. Might be a little hard to find 30 degree elbow

[Oldcountryboy]

Thanks white wolf, that second picture is more of what I had in mind. I think what I have in mind is what they call a hoop house. looks much the same of what your second picture looks like. Less parts to deal with.

[wy_white_wolf]

Originally Posted by Oldcountryboy

Thanks white wolf, that second picture is more of what I had in mind. I think what I have in mind is what they call a hoop house. looks much the same of what your second picture looks like. Less parts to deal with.

Then you outa like the 8th one down on the righthand side.

http://www.pvcplans.com/pvc-pipe.htm

[fretti]

Here's the one that I'm planning on constructing:

YouTube