Season extension
Cold Frames
Are you looking for a way to extend the gardening season? Cold frames are structures that let you begin growing your plants earlier in the spring and keep growing into the early winter months. They can be made from repurposed materials such as old windows, or as simple as plastic sheets arranged over a wire frame.
Getting started
This article from Toronto Master Gardeners discusses the benefits of cold frames.
Watch a YouTube video on Toronto cold frame expert, Kyla Dixon-Muir, or visit her webpage.
GrowVeg has step by step instructions and videos on cold frames
Instructables has a variety of build-it-yourself options.
This article from the University of Missouri discusses hotbeds, a variant of cold frames, is a bit more complete.
Digging deeper
Dalhousie University has a number of resources on greenhouses and high tunnels.
The Land Connection offers a season extension guide for farmers, with case studies.
Shopping list
If you prefer to buy a ready-made cold frame, you can find them at Ebay and Greenhouses Canada.
Winter Storage
20 Crops that Keep and How to Store Them.