The Secret to Turning a Raised Bed into a Cold Frame is a support system
that can stay up all year long.

Olin started with a 4’x8′ raised bed and measured six old windows he had from a remodeling job that were all similar in size.  He then used scrap wood from 2×4’s and plywood to create the frame and placed two hinges to hold each window on the top wood piece.  He was careful not to place the windows too close together because they will shrink and expand depending on the humidity…causing them to stick together during a heavy rain. As you can see from the picture below, the windows create a green house effect that protects cool weather plants from frost damage.

Last winter we were able to grow carrots, spinach, mustard greens, turnip greens, collard greens, lettuce, radishes and kale.  I’m sure we could have grown a much bigger variety, but I ran out of space.  Also, we keep a thermometer in the cold frame, and when it get 80 degrees, we prop open a couple of windows, so the plants don’t wilt or dry out.  The cold frame almost serves as a terrarium, because you don’t have to water much at all after you germinate the seeds and everything starts growing.

#coldframe #stoneycreekfarm #dirtrich #wintergarden #sustainableliving