Coldframe, UPDATE plants now in the coldframe.

[Collector]

We are building a Coldframe, I am now trying to cut the corrugated clear roofing panels with no luck!
I have tried cutting it with a pair of shears, it seems to just want to crack.
I also tried scoring it with a razor knife and snapping it in half, that doesnt work.
I have used a circular to cut galvinized, and steel roofing. I wonder if it will work for this as well?
If anyone has ever cut this stuff how did you do it.
Or any ideas will help out!

 

[digitS']

jig saw - metal cutting blade

slow speed

S'

 

[wifezilla]

I never tried to cut the clear plastic stuff. I would try the jig saw and if that doesn't work, the circular.

 

[Collector]

I brought out the jigsaw to cut the PVC only to find that all the bits were trashed from previous projects.
Thought about using the sawzall but figured it might be a little extreme for the PVC. So it was back to the circular saw, I ended up using masking tape where the cut was going to be made It worked really well to minimize chipping and cracking. I should easily finish this job this morning.

 

[digitS']

We all really knew that you could do this, Collector - coming up with a sensible new approach in the process!

My focus was on keeping the dang stuff from vibrating, shaking, jumping up and down! Allow that and you are going to have a box of plastic chips.

Just because it is part of my (perverted) nature ~ let me point something out: Corrugated means "increased surface area." That is why corrugated panels are not the best choice if you are intending to pump in expensive heat - greater loss to outside cold. Okay, I'll stop and retreat into my ineptitude . . . after nearly freezing my peppers in an unheated tunnel overnight . (Frost on everything this morning then, 2 hours of sunlight-denying fog!)

Steve

 

[wifezilla]

If it makes you feel better, we are getting snowed on right now

 

[Collector]

The coldframe is 95% finished What do you think?
Now we just need to figure out how to use it HAHA!
You only have to remove 4 screws to break it down into 4 pieces for storing.
When should we put the plants we started indoors out there during the day?

Steve, not sure when to put the plants out there. The weather is not good enough most of the time.

Wife Z, sorry to hear about the snow. We are having the nicest day of the year so far. dont look at the sky in the pic or you it is just a fluke, The next ten days are not going to be anything special around here either.

 

[lesa]

That turned out fabulous!! Very nicely done! Don't forget, since those seeds were started indoors, you will have to harden them off. You can't just deliver them to the coldframe... I'm sure you realize that- but I would hate to see all your plants fried. Congrats! You will really enjoy that, for many years to come.

 

[thistlebloom]

Oh! Nicely done Collector! I really like the looks of it, and it looks very roomy, but I'm trying to picture 98 tomato plants in there....

 

[digitS']

Great Collector but you are going to need advice from someone who is successful with coldframes. I've done the frying part.

I had the frost-tender plants out in the hoopies today for the 1st time today. I cranked them to mostly open after 9:30am. It was 45, bright and sunny by that time. The zinnias have been in and out of the tunnel for a good number of days now - window and door open a little thru most days. The peppers joined the z's more recently. Last night was the 1st time either spent the night in the tunnel, however.

Keep in mind that the tunnel is 9' by 20' and they only occupy the center aisle. The outside beds have bok choy and there's no need to worry about those. However, I'm worried about the z's and p's and the garage would really be safer.

It isn't suppose to freeze over the next 5 days but I sure wouldn't be surprised if it did. Down to 32F this morning and things were fine in the tunnel. I'm taking a chance but there is no longer room for the z's and p's in the greenhouse!

The 4' by 10' hoopies can't be trusted for them - that's out of the question. They've got the cabbage, kale, snapdragons, etc. Really, some of those could go out into the garden now.

Pat talks about square containers of water in the coldframes. Any way you could do that - or, maybe pack them around on the outside and toss a quilt over the frame?

Steve