Commercially produced coldframes are available in many designs. They are also simple to construct, as detailed in the University of Minnesota Extension publication, Season Extenders for Minnesota Winters.
University of Missouri: Building and Using Hotbeds and Coldframes
Popular Mechanics: How to Build a Cold Frame For Winter Gardening
University of West Virginia: Planning and Building a Greenhouse ...
By mid-March the tiny petunia and marigold seedlings and their like are transferred to coldframes for outside "hardening," then after weather settles, to the garden.
It is a good idea to start some of the less hardy annuals in seed pots, or in coldframes, as early as March. Otherwise, these plants cannot be set out until all danger of frost is gone.
University of West Virginia Extension: Container Gardens for Small Spaces
Container Garden Tips: Types of Containers for Small Space Gardening
University of Missouri Extension: Building and Using Hotbeds and Coldframes ...
The process is called cold stratification, and it can be done several ways, including sowing seed outside into beds in autumn, planting flats of seeds in coldframes, and chilling seeds in the refrigerator.
 See also: Planting, Plant, Light, Flower, Soil
  
|
RSS
