This simple presentation records the steps involved in building a quick and inexpensive insulated cold frame. Although this design will not prevent freezing during the coldest time of the winter, I have found that it will provide a lot of extended growing time (over two months) well into the colder months. This frame supported the growing of beets and parsley well into December 2001 even when the night temperature dropped below freezing several times.

The materials are relatively inexpensive and assembly is basic. The most time consuming step was digging and grading the ground to make the wood guard rails all level.

Covering the grow frame each night is the key to its success. Opening the glass each day for ventilation according to the daytime temperature is the other part of your daily monitoring.

This simple Grow Frame will double your growing season time in northern Arizona and you can start right away with a minimal budget.

This photo shows the first steps in assemblying this inexpensive season extending grow frame. First, align it vertically on a north south axis. Level the ground and set a foundation of guard rails or railroad ties.

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By the way, being as pragmatic as possible, I've determined the width by making it accommodate the existing recycled shower doors I am using for glazing. Here you see the relationship. You'll also see that I am embeding a vertical cinder block in the growing soil at the position of the seam between the glass panes. You'll see how important this is.

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Here you see how I've experimented with a simple solution for venting.

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To provide some additional insulation to my construction, by filling the cavities within the cinder blocks with styrofoam popcorn I saved from packages I've received. Then I added a cinder block cap to the wall. All of these masonry pieces are glued together with a contractor's adhesive.

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Then along the entire exterior surface I applied a layer of insulation foam, holding it with duct tape, which also protected the foam from sun and rain damage.

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For the sake of this photo and demonstration, here's how this project looked at the halfway point. The construction provided protection against wind and summer hail and allowed sun and ventilation as needed.

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I acquire a survival blanket (layers of foil) from a local outdoor outfitter, store for nighttime insulation.

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I nailed "one by four" boards on each end to provide some weight, keep it flat and to make it easy to roll up each morning. This step is the secret to keeping young plants alive overnight. See my research on other pages of this web site.

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This photo might be called the money shot. Parsley and beets can be seen growing under my glass panels. These are two of my ingredients for my healthy juice. This makes them fresh and organic.

Another shot of the grow frame in use. Early success provided the motivation to complete the four panel frame. Being cheap and following the principles I've discovered (see other pages) it WORKS... on a budget! Try it yourself. Thanks for looking. ©JHT