Bulb frames - construction

[Helen Johnstone]

I have been reading Philips and Rix Bulbs and looking at how to construct a bulb frame.  However I am a little mystified as to whether these are covered or not.  The book says the bulb frame helps keep the bulbs dry in summer etc so presumably that means they are protected from rain?  If the frames are covered - what with?  How does a bulb frame differ from an alpine house. 

I have been looking at getting one of the Access Cold Frames to use as a small alpine house but is this really the same as a bulb frame?

I do understand that bulbs need different conditions to other alpines and should be kept separate.  It just seems strange that whilst the construction of the raised bit of the frame and filling it is discussed there is no discussion of what to cover it with.

[Gerry Webster]

I have been reading Philips and Rix Bulbs and looking at how to construct a bulb frame.  However I am a little mystified as to whether these are covered or not.  The book says the bulb frame helps keep the bulbs dry in summer etc so presumably that means they are protected from rain?  If the frames are covered - what with?  How does a bulb frame differ from an alpine house. 

I have been looking at getting one of the Access Cold Frames to use as a small alpine house but is this really the same as a bulb frame?

I do understand that bulbs need different conditions to other alpines and should be kept separate.  It just seems strange that whilst the construction of the raised bit of the frame and filling it is discussed there is no discussion of what to cover it with.

In my experience Access frames are fine for bulbs - if a bit expensive. Last year (?) Anne Wright had an instructive series of posts on home-made frames.

[Ezeiza]

The cover/roof and sides are glass or polycarbonate to obtain maximum use of all available light. Martyn mentions the fact that excess snowfall weight can make the frame collapse. 

[Helen Johnstone]

In my experience Access frames are fine for bulbs - if a bit expensive. Last year (?) Anne Wright had an instructive series of posts on home-made frames.

Thanks Gerry - I am thinking of treating myself to an Access cold frame eventually, struggling to find information on home made frames, I can find info about the bases but not the covers

[Helen Johnstone]

The cover/roof and sides are glass or polycarbonate to obtain maximum use of all available light. Martyn mentions the fact that excess snowfall weight can make the frame collapse.

It is all rather perplexing, I think I will ask my son if he can build me something. 

[Gerry Webster]

Thanks Gerry - I am thinking of treating myself to an Access cold frame eventually, struggling to find information on home made frames, I can find info about the bases but not the covers

Helen -  Anne's posts on home made frames/plunge beds are here:

http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=8605.msg232408;topicseen#msg232408

[Dionysia]

Helen. The frames of my home made frames are made of dexion (second hand angle iron used in shopfitting amongst other things). This is built up to waste height. Within the frame are paving slabs to form the internal base and wooden shuttering boards to form the sides thereby creating a box. To the back are screwed wooden pillars approx 4 x 2 cm and at a height of around 30cm. The same at the front but a few cm less to provide a slope. I have some old secondary double glazing channelling screwed to the back posts into which my covers just slide and rest on the front ones. I have been lucky to retain some old secondary double glazing panels which are perfect although you can use polycarbonate but this will need holding down as it is too light otherwise. The sides are completely open so allow an overhang to suit your needs. They have survived close to twenty years so far. Relatively cheap although sourcing some of the parts may need some searching around. Good luck.

[Maggi Young]

Relevant to this thread  and also to Tim's post here : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=10715.msg281288#msg281288    ...........

 I and M Y's article on our raised "slab" beds and removeable covers :
 Raised Beds -Youngs.pdf (184.16 kB - downloaded 145 times.)

and for other things....
http://www.srgc.org.uk/feature/ichristie/beginalp.html  Ian Christie's starter notes
http://www.srgc.org.uk/feature/back%20to%20troughs/backtroughs.html  Get together to learn- pictures that show the fun
http://www.srgc.org.uk/nurseryws/ws.html   Ian Christie's Nursery workshops - with seed starting notes etc
http://www.srgc.org.uk/journal/young/bulbsfromseed.html   Ian Y's Bulbs from seed article

And  leaving perhaps the most important resource to last : 
http://files.srgc.net/journals/SRGCIndex2013January.pdf   Full Index to SRGC Journals - and ALL, except  the few  most recent ones, are freely available  to anyone online here : http://www.srgc.net/site/index.php/extensions/journal

[Tim Ingram]

Thank you so very much for those Maggi - the trough demonstration day described by Sandy is just the sort of thing I have been thinking about, though I imagined doing something at one of the Shows. And the other practical demos. are really good; shows the value of the website(!) and someone who knows their way around it! They seem to be just as, if not more, valuable to those of us who have a little idea of what we are doing, as they are to anyone who is only just beginning.

[Helen Johnstone]

Relevant to this thread  and also to Tim's post here : http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=10715.msg281288#msg281288    ...........

 I and M Y's article on our raised "slab" beds and removeable covers :
(Attachment Link)

and for other things....
http://www.srgc.org.uk/feature/ichristie/beginalp.html  Ian Christie's starter notes
http://www.srgc.org.uk/feature/back%20to%20troughs/backtroughs.html  Get together to learn- pictures that show the fun
http://www.srgc.org.uk/nurseryws/ws.html   Ian Christie's Nursery workshops - with seed starting notes etc
http://www.srgc.org.uk/journal/young/bulbsfromseed.html   Ian Y's Bulbs from seed article

And  leaving perhaps the most important resource to last : 
http://files.srgc.net/journals/SRGCIndex2013January.pdf   Full Index to SRGC Journals - and ALL, except  the few  most recent ones, are freely available  to anyone online here : http://www.srgc.net/site/index.php/extensions/journal

Many thanks - its the age old problem of the more I read the more confused I become.  But I am getting there and appreciate all the help and advice.  SRGC members are so generous and encouraging

[Helen Johnstone]

Helen -  Anne's posts on home made frames/plunge beds are here:

http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=8605.msg232408;topicseen#msg232408

Many thanks Gerry
I will print that off so I can show my son who may be pressed into helping with construction

[Helen Johnstone]

Helen. The frames of my home made frames are made of dexion (second hand angle iron used in shopfitting amongst other things). This is built up to waste height. Within the frame are paving slabs to form the internal base and wooden shuttering boards to form the sides thereby creating a box. To the back are screwed wooden pillars approx 4 x 2 cm and at a height of around 30cm. The same at the front but a few cm less to provide a slope. I have some old secondary double glazing channelling screwed to the back posts into which my covers just slide and rest on the front ones. I have been lucky to retain some old secondary double glazing panels which are perfect although you can use polycarbonate but this will need holding down as it is too light otherwise. The sides are completely open so allow an overhang to suit your needs. They have survived close to twenty years so far. Relatively cheap although sourcing some of the parts may need some searching around. Good luck.

Hi Paul
Many thanks for taking the trouble of giving this advice, it is much appreciated.  It is interesting that the books give information on plunges but none on the covers etc!!

Helen

[Maggi Young]

The idea of different workshops at shows is a tempting one, Tim but the reality for most shows is that there is often not enough space for all the ancillary meetings that need to take place on show days (when sufficient members may be expected to be available/present) let alone have the space and personnel for full blown workshops.

The trough day at Ian Christie's place was one of the wettest days I have experienced yet there were well over a hundred soggy  people leaving afterwards, each with their own trough and a huge smile. 
A similar day SRGC trough was held "up north" and that was also a great success - and they had  better weather, the lucky devils!

Whenever trough demonstrations have been held at local groups or at the likes of Gardening Scotland, they have proved extremely popular with the audiences.

One year Ian did a demo in the Beechgrove Theatre every day at G.S.  and it was packed out each time - the public really respond to such practical - and easy to follow - workshops.
The Bainbridges have given such trough demos as well  - popular every time.


Helen:  if you can afford Access frame(s) then that is an easy solution - many friends have these and swear by them.
If you need/want a more homemade version you can get a good home for your plants by various means- and covers can be constructed/contrived in many ways too.  (I've just remembered that there are descriptions in old journals of Mike and Polly Stone's plunge beds in "The Stone Column", too)
The main difference, by the way,  between a plunge bed ( access frame) and an alpine house is that the former provides protection for the plants while the latter does that  and also provides cover for the gardener!

[Helen Johnstone]

Helen:  if you can afford Access frame(s) then that is an easy solution - many friends have these and swear by them.
If you need/want a more homemade version you can get a good home for your plants by various means- and covers can be constructed/contrived in many ways too.  (I've just remembered that there are descriptions in old journals of Mike and Polly Stone's plunge beds in "The Stone Column", too)
The main difference, by the way,  between a plunge bed ( access frame) and an alpine house is that the former provides protection for the plants while the latter does that  and also provides cover for the gardener!

Hi Maggie
I have the Access brochure and saw one of their cold frames at the Pershore garden today and I think it will serve my purpose.  I am thinking I might save up and treat myself to an early Christmas present.  I want to keep my greenhouse for more tender plants and bulbs.  I am also planning a small rockery given that we have a pile of Malvern stone to find something to do with and a sloping garden so it seems a natural solution so I think if I get an access cold frame I should have all options covered for the time being. 

[Maggi Young]

One of the most important features for me of a plunge frame or raised bed is that they can be arranged to suit YOU - perfect height, etc to allow you to tend and enjoy your plants.  VERY useful things  -  I think it would be the perfect present  for you, Helen!