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Clear Plastic Box As Cold Frame?

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  • #1

    Clear Plastic Box As Cold Frame?

    Hello Folks,

    Was thinking of buying a cheap plastic storage box or 2 to use as cold frames.

    I can cable tie the lid to the base on one side then prop open for ventilation then use them to store garden bits over winter, what do you reckon?
    Cheers

    Danny
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Sounds good but it probably won't last long outside. I had one for storing pots and tray and had to move it out of the shed last summer due to a lack of space. The plastic was affected by strong sun and then cold weather later in the season. It's now very brittle, lid has already shattered into pieces and the bottom corners have cracks and splits in them. The plastic isn't photo-stable...
    come visit a garden
    or read about mine www.suburbanvegplot.blogspot.com/

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    • #3
      Originally posted by perkin View Post
      Sounds good but it probably won't last long outside. I had one for storing pots and tray and had to move it out of the shed last summer due to a lack of space. The plastic was affected by strong sun and then cold weather later in the season. It's now very brittle, lid has already shattered into pieces and the bottom corners have cracks and splits in them. The plastic isn't photo-stable...
      Thing is they will probably only be out for a couple of months a year to harden veg off so should last a bit?
      Last edited by broadway; 16-03-2012, 08:48 AM.
      Cheers

      Danny

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      • #4
        spot on perkin. Broadway a couple of months with weather between frost and heat and that is all it will take.

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        • #5
          Originally posted by broadway View Post
          Hello Folks,

          Was thinking of buying a cheap plastic storage box or 2 to use as cold frames.............................
          I used a couple last season just to give the courgettes a little head-start. Will be doing the same this season. They do go brittle and crack, but cheap enough.
          Attached Files

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          • #6
            I don't actually think they're even that cheap.

            I certainly wouldn't be buying them for outside use. The kiddies left one outside last year for their toys, it wasn't long at all before it went brittle and broke.
            the fates lead him who will;him who won't they drag.

            Happiness is not having what you want,but wanting what you have.xx

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            • #7
              I got given (cos I asked nicely!), a roll of leftover clear plastic tubing, 1 metre wide and its the end of a roll so its roughly, 50 metres in length. I contact a local plastic packaging supplier and they were happy for me to take it off their hands.

              Used with some galvanised wire hoops cut to length it will create a mini polytunnel on the allotment for my seedlings. Image below is roughly what it looks like.

              I should be able to create roughly 10 4 metre polytunnels for about £20 of wire, which I'll be able to reuse year after year, and just replace the plastic as needed.

              Attached Files
              I'm only here cos I got on the wrong bus.

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              • #8
                I have used them in the past but only because I had them spare, I'd not buy one to use as a cloche. A brick on top to weigh it down and take it off completely on nice days.

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                • #9
                  Originally posted by alex-adam View Post
                  They do go brittle and crack, but cheap enough.
                  let's not all buy cheap crap, and just put it all in landfill when it breaks

                  Buy or make good stuff, and make it last
                  Last edited by Two_Sheds; 16-03-2012, 06:02 PM.
                  All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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                  • #10
                    Originally posted by Mikeywills View Post
                    I got given (cos I asked nicely!), a roll of leftover clear plastic tubing, 1 metre wide and its the end of a roll so its roughly, 50 metres in length. I contact a local plastic packaging supplier and they were happy for me to take it off their hands.

                    Used with some galvanised wire hoops cut to length it will create a mini polytunnel on the allotment for my seedlings. Image below is roughly what it looks like.

                    I should be able to create roughly 10 4 metre polytunnels for about £20 of wire, which I'll be able to reuse year after year, and just replace the plastic as needed.

                    [ATTACH=CONFIG]27739[/ATTACH]
                    Mikey where's the best place to get galvanised wire, would it be a good builders merchants? I have been thinking of having a go at making something like this myself.

                    The plastic boxes do go brittle and crack and as far as I know it's not of the type that can be recycled. I don't think they are cheap either.
                    Last edited by donnakebab; 16-03-2012, 05:58 PM.

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                    • #11
                      if your interested in the mini poly tunnels - you can pick get them in poundland! (ive just got a couple) - or wilkos but there about £7.

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                      • #12
                        How mini is mini?

                        Was thinking of making one about 45 x 60cm.

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by Two_Sheds View Post
                          let's not all buy cheap crap, and just put it all in landfill when it breaks

                          Buy or make good stuff, and make it last
                          Like lots!!!

                          Ask friends to save plastic bottles. You could build them up and make a cloche the size of a box in no time.

                          Go into shops and ask for their remnants of plastic wrappings that stock are stored in.
                          the fates lead him who will;him who won't they drag.

                          Happiness is not having what you want,but wanting what you have.xx

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                          • #14
                            I just cloched my winter lettuces with a couple of wire coathangers and opened up clear plastic bags taped together with sellotape, looks to be holding up nicely

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                            • #15
                              Originally posted by salome2001 View Post
                              I just cloched my winter lettuces with a couple of wire coathangers and opened up clear plastic bags taped together with sellotape, looks to be holding up nicely
                              Pictures please.

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