20 DIY Cold Frame Plans For Your Winter Garden

Do you want to keep gardening, even in the middle of winter? In this article, Kevin Espiritu shares 20 DIY cold-frame plans for your garden.

Sleek and Efficient Cold Frame

Contents

As the cold weather starts to come on, many of us sigh and look forward to the start of spring again, when we can once more grow fresh vegetables and fruit for our tables. But it doesn’t have to be like that! There are many cold-weather vegetables that can easily grow with just a little protection. And building a DIY cold frame is the perfect solution.

While a DIY cold frame can be as simple and small as a plastic 2-liter bottle with the bottom cut off, carefully placed overtop of a plant to offer a little more warmth, what I’ve got for you today is a list of 26 different concepts and plans for winter cold frames that encompass a bit more space in your garden and allow for a better collection of vegetables. So whether you’d like to grow spinach or beets, protect your flowers, or even start a few seedlings early on, there’s a cold frame plan here for everyone.

Since there’s a variety of materials that can be used to construct cold frames, I’m going to split these up by the clear material used on the top of the frame. From there, the only limit is your imagination!

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Plastic Sheeting/Soft Plastic Cold Frames

Simple Cold Frame

Simple Cold Frame
Simple Cold Frame. source

This particular DIY cold frame is not elaborate, but it works quite well. Made of plywood and poly sheeting, its sloped shape allows for rain drainage while keeping the cold frame crops within warm in the cooler months of the year.

Materials:Plywood, poly sheeting, misc tools and bolts/nuts/screws.
Dimensions:4’ wide x 4’ deep, sloped top peaks at 15”
Difficulty:Beginner to intermediate
Cost:$$

PVC Cold Frame

PVC Cold Frame
PVC Cold Frame. source

Constructed entirely of PVC and plastic sheeting, this basic PVC frame keeps warmth inside and allows ease of access through its triangular hinged roof. The plastic sheeting can be easily replaced year after year as needed as you practice cold frame gardening.

Materials:PVC and PVC connectors, 6mil clear plastic sheeting, pipe glue
Dimensions:4’ wide x 2’ 4” deep
Difficulty:Beginner
Cost:$

Cold Frame Tent

Cold Frame Tent
Cold Frame Tent. source

If you have existing raised beds, all you need is the top for this to rest on top of your beds. If you don’t, add a box around your garden plot, and with very little difficulty, you are set up to endure the weather while still growing plants to a reasonable height!

Materials:Heavy plastic sheeting, lumber, a hardwood dowel, screws or nails
Dimensions:Variable depending on need
Difficulty:Beginner to intermediate
Cost:$-$$

Sleek & Efficient Cold Frame

Sleek and Efficient Cold Frame
Sleek and Efficient Cold Frame. source

This functional DIY cold frame is intended to be constructed for an already-existing raised bed. While a slight variation to the design would enable runoff from rain to move more easily, it’s a great option for people in cold but dryer environments, just as it is already.

Materials:Lumber, heavy plastic sheeting, screws or nails
Dimensions:4’ wide x 8’ deep x 15” tall
Difficulty:Beginner
Cost:$

PVC Cold Frame Hoop House

PVC Cold Frame Hoop House
PVC Cold Frame Hoop House. source

This arched hoop house-style DIY cold frame is not elaborate, but it does the trick! Made to fit just inside the walls of a raised bed, the two plywood ends keep wind out of the tunnel, and the plastic sheeting overtop allows plenty of light to reach your plants. This one is basically a mini greenhouse that makes gardening in the winter growing season possible.

Materials:PVC, plastic sheeting, plywood, 2×3 studs, misc screws and other assorted equipment
Dimensions:Variable, can be adjusted to fit most raised beds
Difficulty:Beginner to intermediate
Cost:$-$$

Amish Cold Frame

Amish Cold Frame
Amish Cold Frame. source

This one does not come with an exact cold frame plan, so it takes a little bit of plotting to recreate it. However, it’s a simple enough structure. It’s adorably cute, as it looks like a mini greenhouse, and it’s incredibly useful for cold frame gardening, as only half the lid needs to be lifted to access the plants inside or to provide ventilation.

Materials:Lumber, plastic sheeting, hinges, nails or screws, and a chain with a spring for each end
Dimensions:66” long x 24” wide
Difficulty:Intermediate
Cost:$$

Plastic Bottle Cold Frame

Plastic Bottle Cold Frames
Plastic Bottle Cold Frames. source

Do you find that plastic bottles build up in your house or recycling bin? Well, save some, and you too can create this unusual but effective DIY cold frame! If you add a little silicone caulk between the bottles, you can make it completely enclosed, or you can leave the gaps to allow some vent space. Whichever you do, this reuse project makes the most of what would otherwise be landfill fodder or recycling material.

Materials:Empty plastic bottles, wood doweling or slats, lumber, screws or nails, silicone caulk (optional)
Dimensions:Variable depending on size desired
Difficulty:Beginner to intermediate
Cost:$

Hard Plastic, Acrylic, or Plexiglass Cold Frames

Portable Cold Frame

Portable Cold Frame
Portable Cold Frame. source

If you don’t have raised beds, this DIY cold frame might be a great option for you. Brick forms a flat support at the base and helps to keep the soil warmed by the sun. The box is inexpensive plywood, and the only expensive part is clear acrylic glazing panels, which you can pick up at most big-box hardware stores. The acrylic resists ice buildup, which adds an extra layer of protection.

Materials:Acrylic glazing, plywood, bricks, screws, hinges
Dimensions:61” wide x 37 ½” deep x 24” tall
Difficulty:Beginner to intermediate
Cost:$$

Raised Bed Cold Frame

Raised Bed Cold Frame
Raised Bed Cold Frame. source

Designed to sit on top of a 4’x4’ raised bed, this DIY cold frame is an easy build and works extremely well. The sloped lid provides rain runoff. Best of all, the whole thing can be lifted off the raised bed when the weather is warmer, as it’s a fairly lightweight cold frame.

Materials:Lumber, acrylic sheets, screen door pneumatic closers, misc screws and hinges
Dimensions:Fits overtop a 4’ x 4’ raised bed
Difficulty:Beginner
Cost:$$

Dead Simple Cold Frame

Dead Simple Cold Frame
Dead Simple Cold Frame. source

As the name would imply, this DIY cold frame is dead simple to build. The most complex part of the entire build is getting the angled top right. Otherwise, it’s something that can easily be knocked together in a couple hours’ time!

Materials:Lumber, greenhouse plastic, misc. screws
Dimensions:8’ wide x 4’ deep x 25” tall
Difficulty:Beginner
Cost:$$

Glassless Cold Frame

Glassless Cold Frame
Glassless Cold Frame. source

On occasion, you can find old skylight domes that have been removed because they’ve started to leak at the sides. But these don’t have to be thrown away! Give them new life by using the dome as a top for a DIY cold frame! A simple box base supports the skylight dome, allowing you to grow your plants right underneath.

Materials:Old skylight dome, lumber, screws
Dimensions:Depends on size of skylight dome
Difficulty:Beginner
Cost:$$

Cold Frame Table

Cold Frame Table
Cold Frame Table. source

This DIY cold frame actually sits up above the ground, like a table, and is perfect for starting seeds in the winter! With a clear acrylic sheet on top, plenty of light hits the inside, and there’s a handy shelf underneath, which provides a little extra storage space.

Best of all, when it’s not in use as a cold frame, it can be repurposed as a handy potting table. The instructions are in a handy video format.

Materials:Clear sheet acrylic, lumber, screws or nails, hinges
Dimensions:2’ wide x 3’ deep x 38” tall
Difficulty:Intermediate
Cost:$$

Glass Topped Cold Frames

Salvaged Window Cold Frame

Salvaged Window Cold Frame
Salvaged Window Cold Frame. source

If you’ve redone the windows in your house recently or have a store locally that sells salvaged pane windows, this project is for you! This makes a beautiful addition to the winter garden, and the panes of glass easily keep snow from reaching your fragile plants.

Materials:Salvaged window, lumber, misc bolts/hinges, tools
Dimensions:Variable, depends on size of salvaged window
Difficulty:Beginner to intermediate
Cost:$$

Old Window Cold Frame

Old Window Cold Frame
Old Window Cold Frame. source

Another idea using salvaged windows, this DIY cold frame is built much taller, enabling it to be used for larger plants. The windows fold open from the center to the outsides, making it surprisingly easy to vent on a warmer day.

Materials:Salvaged window panes, lumber, misc bolts/hinges, tools
Dimensions:Variable, depends on size of salvaged windows
Difficulty:Beginner to intermediate
Cost:$$

Compact DIY Cold Frame

Compact DIY Cold Frame
Compact DIY Cold Frame. source

This smaller cold frame uses a single-pane reclaimed window as its top and 2×6 boards to make up the sides. Thicker than most plywood frames, it does a really good job of keeping warmth inside!

Materials:Reclaimed window, lumber, hinges and misc screws
Dimensions:Depends on window, but example is 32”x32”
Difficulty:Beginner
Cost:$

30 Minute Cold Frame

Straw bales and old windows? Absolutely! This technique is not glamorous, but it is fast, warm, and functional. If you’ve got straw bales lying around, along with some large old windows, you can have one of these assembled in no time at all.

Materials:Straw bales, large reclaimed windows
Dimensions:Varies depending on bale count and size of windows
Difficulty:Beginner
Cost:$

Pallet and Window Cold Frame

Pallet and Window Cold Frame
Pallet and Window Cold Frame. source

This upcycled pallet and window cold frame might be free if you have a source of used pallets and windows! With a little ingenuity, you can have a very workable cold frame that will offer lots of protection to your plants for very little cash outlay.

Materials:Old pallets, reclaimed windows, nails or screws
Dimensions:Variable depending on parts available
Difficulty:Beginner
Cost:$

Brick and Window Cold Frame

Brick and Window Cold Frame
Brick and Window Cold Frame. source

Using cinderblocks or bricks and old windows, you can construct a cold frame that can easily be broken down into its component parts once the cold season is over and stored away for future use. It’s nothing fancy, but protecting your plants does not have to be!

Materials:Cinderblocks or bricks, reclaimed windows
Dimensions:Variable depending on window size
Difficulty:Beginner
Cost:$

Brick Cold Frame

Brick Cold Frame
Brick Cold Frame. source

This cold frame is a permanent structure, as the bricks are mortared together. However, the lid can always be lifted if the weather gets too warm. If you live in an area that has a short growing season, this might be perfect for you!

Materials:Bricks, mortar, window panels or lumber and plexiglass, screws and hinges
Dimensions:Variable
Difficulty:Intermediate to difficult
Cost:$$-$$$

Shower Door Cold Frame

Shower Door Cold Frame
Shower Door Cold Frame. source

You can use a repurposed glass shower door for this project, or if you can’t find one of those, use old window panes. An easy step-by-step video shows you the process, and it’s a quick and easy cold frame build.

Materials:Old glass shower door or windows, lumber, screws, hinges
Dimensions:Varies depending on size of top
Difficulty:Beginner
Cost:$$

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How deep does a cold frame need to be?

A: Slightly smaller than the depth of a raised bed is how deep your cold frame should be. At least half a foot of space is good.

Q: What kind of wood should I use for a cold frame?

A: You want a durable hardwood so your cold frame will last more than just a couple of seasons.

Q: What is the ideal size for a cold frame?

A: You want at least a few feet of width to work with.

Q: How do you make a simple cold frame?

A: There are so many ways! Check the cold frame plan list above to see how you can fashion your own.

Q: What is the best slope for a cold frame?

A: When you’re building from the above cold frame plan list, use an angle that’s at least 15° and up to 35°.

Q: Should a cold frame be in sun or shade?

A: You want plenty of warmth circulating through your cold frame. Full sun, therefore, is a must.

Q: Does a cold frame need a bottom?

A: Not necessarily, especially if it’s going to go over a raised bed!

Q: Does a cold frame need to be sealed?

A: While you will still generate warmth without a seal, a seal will keep the warmth trapped inside the frame.

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