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Author Topic: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed  (Read 15829 times)

David Nicholson

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #30 on: February 17, 2012, 10:09:57 AM »
Anne Wright, you're brilliant. Of course much too complicated for my style of DIY which hasn't improved much from the Neolithic :-[
David Nicholson
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annew

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #31 on: February 17, 2012, 10:22:06 AM »
David, it would be even better made out of stone.  ::)
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Anne Wright, Dryad Nursery, Yorkshire, England

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annew

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #32 on: February 18, 2012, 08:40:30 PM »
Well, I added up my outgoings for the plunges. The cost also includes materials to make stays and props for 22 other frame lights, and I have lots of spare bits like extra screws etc left.
(Deep breath) £680
Well it's cheaper than a certain snowdrop.
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Anne Wright, Dryad Nursery, Yorkshire, England

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ronm

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #33 on: February 18, 2012, 08:41:33 PM »
Is that for each bed Anne?

annew

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #34 on: February 18, 2012, 08:43:14 PM »
No, the pair. Including all the sand and gravel. But not the plants.
I don't buy expensive handbags either.
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Anne Wright, Dryad Nursery, Yorkshire, England

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ronm

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #35 on: February 18, 2012, 08:46:38 PM »
Eh, thats not too bad Anne. :) Given the quality I would have thought a lot more. Should last a while.You'll be able to judge from how your plants perform in these new structures. What orientation do you have?

Carlo

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #36 on: February 19, 2012, 12:25:34 AM »
Sure Anne...daff as a brush my @#$....

These look spectacular and should allow some bit of growing to be going on. I'd love a range of these....
Carlo A. Balistrieri
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annew

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #37 on: February 19, 2012, 06:50:32 PM »
They are oriented about W-E. End on into the prevailing wind.
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Anne Wright, Dryad Nursery, Yorkshire, England

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ronm

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #38 on: February 19, 2012, 06:55:32 PM »
oh!
mmmm. never mind, see your thinking , great. sure thy'll be fine. Will u b @ driffield anne?

ronm

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #39 on: March 22, 2012, 09:06:16 PM »
How are the new beds performing Anne?

annew

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #40 on: March 22, 2012, 10:45:28 PM »
So far so good, but I need more. ::)
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Anne Wright, Dryad Nursery, Yorkshire, England

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annew

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #41 on: July 21, 2013, 12:22:38 PM »
JULY 2013, the frames are still going strong. The butyl capping strip needs a batten on it to keep it down, as the staples ripped out.
Frame number 3 almost done. Frame number 4 before this winter, but probably on a wooden base rather than slabs, as the plants inside won't be plunged.
I haven't ever removed the frame lights, so the hinges could be ordinary ones, I didn't need the removeable-pinned ones. They were to allow the lights to be removed in the summer.
MINIONS! I need more minions!
Anne Wright, Dryad Nursery, Yorkshire, England

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meanie

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #42 on: December 14, 2013, 11:17:19 PM »
Fantastic job Annew!

I've just "scored" a load of (mostly) full sized clear polycarb sheets on freegle. My plan is to use it to;
a] make a temporary (as in I'll erect it in autumn for the winter) covered area over the rockery area. Mostly for the benefit of succulents, I also have a few other plants that I want to try there too.
and
b] replace the roof on my shed (about the size of a single garage) with it to improve the light for the plants that are in there over the winter.

Do you have any problems with moisture getting between the layers of the sheet - if it does do you consider it an issue?

Thanks for taking the time to do this post.
West Oxon where it gets cold!

annew

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #43 on: December 15, 2013, 05:56:26 PM »
No, so far they have stayed moisture free in the gap between the sheets. The cut ends were sealed with what they called tea-bag tape, a kind of perforated foil adhesive tape, before the plastic mouldings were applied.
Good Luck!
Frame number 4 turned into a full scale greenhouse for my hepaticas/tomatoes...
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Anne Wright, Dryad Nursery, Yorkshire, England

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Maggi Young

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Re: Constructing an outdoor covered plunge bed
« Reply #44 on: December 15, 2013, 06:14:14 PM »
For the polycarbonate sheets used to replace some glass in the greenhouses, Ian used an aluminium tape sold for the purpose, to seal the open ends.
I would think it is not the best idea to leave them open -  old sheets of this material that  we have lying around for frame covers have got quite a lot of algae etc in the open spaces.
Easy enough to wash that out  from a "loose " sheet, but not from one fitted in a frame or greenhouse.  :P
Margaret Young in Aberdeen, North East Scotland Zone 7 -ish!

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