Though I never claim to be a gardening expert, my passion for gardening increases year after year, and I find that I am eager to try new things.

Well, new to me.

Garden structures such as cold frames have been utilized by many for eons, and being that I’m game for just about anything, I decided to keep up with the gardening Joneses and start benefitting from having my own cold frame or two. Hey, you can’t win if you don’t play.

Cold frames, usually a wooden box with a recycled window, shower door or plastic over the top, is a great way to extend the growing season, and harvest more vegetables. A simple structure, it uses solar energy and insulation to provide a microclimate for your garden. Not to get all science-y on you, but let’s just say that these frames definitely help the garden grow, and let you grow things early in the spring and later in to the fall. Winter too, in some climates that aren’t so harsh.

This week in my DIY Dutchess column, I show you how to build your own cold frame, and the benefits your garden will reap from one.  You can read my column here.

Inexpensive to build, what do you have to lose?  Your garden will be happy you built a cold frame or two!