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Seasoned gardeners know the advantages of a cold frame. Use it to harden off seedlings in the spring that were started indoors. You can start annual seedlings in a cold frame to get a head start on growing plants before the earth is ready to be planted. This offers various blooming or harvesting times. The plants started in the cold frame will mature sooner than those planted directly in the garden. Plant cool weather crops in the autumn - it's possible to plant, grow and harvest fresh herbs, greens and root crops like carrots throughout the winter if the thermometer doesn't plummet too low. Additional insulation may help in your winter growing endeavors.

Two problems may arise in your cold frame, both from the weather. If you do not open the windows on sunny days, your plants could fry in the heat of the sun and the reflection of the glass windows. On the other hand, if a cold snap hits with freezing temperatures lingering, the plants may freeze. If in doubt, cover the entire cold frame in old blankets or burlap bags. Just be sure to uncover when the sun comes out to warm the cold frame again.

A cold frame gives you the opportunity for fresh greens and herbs in the dead of winter. It protects semi-hardy plants from dying off in freezing temperatures. It extends the growing season in the spring and in the winter. Best of all, it requires little money and few materials to build and recycles old windows. Build a cold frame and discover yet another way to make nature work for you and your plants.

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/oldwindowuses