Hi all I have a old long chest type freezer and wanting a cold frame-- so can I remove the motor and lid put glass or something like plastic tin like stuff on the top and make a cold frame out of it of course I'd have to get some steps to be able to reach done to the bottom hopfully without falling in... God what a story that would be : ) Or do you have a better idea for it ...???

opps my last e-mail was on that one bty how do I change that for good??

-- Jacque (bojaq@alltel.net), March 13, 2002

Answers

would be easier ways to make a cold frame. You could use the freeze as an outside stoare for tools,, or animal feed, or bags of compost/peat/potting soil. But , if you realy want to use it as such,, why not bury it some,, so you wont need to climb up, ,and would give a better angle for the sun

-- Stan (sopal@net-pert.com), March 13, 2002.

Stan's right. You need an angled surface for maximum exposure to sunlight. Using something tall like a freezer would probably keep you plants totally shaded. Storage is a good idea or how about using it as a worm bin?

-- Bren (wayoutfarm@skybest.com), March 13, 2002.

My grandfather used to do this all the time, except he'd bury it laying down so only 6 inches or a foot stuck above the dirt.

-- Eric in TN (eric_m_stone@yahoo.com), March 13, 2002.

Wouldn't it make a better root cellar than cold frame?

I have a couple simple plans for a cold frame made with old windows if you would like me toscan, and send to you.

Judy

-- J McFerrin (JMcFerrin@aol.com), March 13, 2002.

Just had a brain flash... What about a bathtub for a cold frame? Bury it with just a little up above, at an angle and then VOILA! Cold frame city... Lotsa bathtubs thrown out all the time.... I am planning on planting two with strawberries so I don't have to fight the thistles... just a thought sorry maybe it was just a siezure or something........

-- Gailann Schrader (gtschrader@aol.com), March 14, 2002.

A bath tub would work if it drains good. I made an easy cold frame by digging a 2 foot deep rectangle (the size of a glass storm door). I layed wooden timbers around the top, attached the glass storm door to the wooden timbers. I lined the north side of the "pit" wall with painted white boards to add light. I use this to start plants and to grow greens during cooler weather. The door does have to be propped open slightly on very warm days. Best wishes!

-- cowgirlone in OK (cowgirlone47@hotmail.com), March 14, 2002.

Well Jacque, this doesn't exactly answer your question, but I'll describe what we have.

In addition to a cold frame made from old windows, we also keep small seedlings under plastic that is stapled to an old ladder. We had an old wooden ladder that had seen safer days and we were going to throw it on the burn pile. We rescued it and leveled the ground, laid the ladder down and planted seeds in between the rungs. Stapled plastic on the top and when needed, we propped it up with a rock for air. No, it's not the most efficient or best looking, but it worked for us.

-- Charleen in WNY (nolongerpublic@usa.com), March 14, 2002.