Acold frameis a season university extension favorite for many gardeners . These raised , windowpane - covered boxes help oneself you lengthen the base - vegetable harvest , develop sugar and greens into the wintertime , and harden off seedlings in the spring . But there are so many other amazing ways to use this simple garden creature to your reward . Take a peek at some of our favorite cold-blooded - frame hacks .

1. Speed Up Your Compost

Cold material body build in February . composition board on the ground , then kitchen waste / partially break down compost , old manure , then unspoiled raise ground on top of that . Compost and manure heat up and warm up the bed from the bottom , sun and windowpane keep it warm from the top . # wintergardening # sustainable # permaculture # coldframe # garden # dyi

A photo send by @owen_nelson onFeb 20 , 2016 at 7:50am PST

When you are n’t growing nutrient in the insensate shape , why not apply it tocreate compost ? Layer solid food flake and garden wastefulness with leave , wheat , paper shreds or forest chip , and the trapped heat and wet will rush the dislocation of fabric into soil . Rake the compost and plant directly into the cold-blooded frame of reference , or shovel finish compost out to employ elsewhere in the garden .

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2. Keep Critters Out

El mejor regalo justo a tiempo de que nuestros perros se quieran # greenhouse # coldframe#vscodog

A photo post by Sophia ( @anandaamida ) onSep 20 , 2015 at 6:50pm PDT

Some dogs and guy are attracted to garden crops . Keep Rex out of your carrots and Fluffy off from the catnip by growing your crop in a dusty soma . Cold frames can also keep hungry wild animate being , like raccoons and lapin from , thieving your harvest . You do n’t have to worry about creature waste on crop grown in a dusty anatomy either .

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3. Keep Pets In

Sunbathing , tortoise style # tortoise # horsfield # hoji # lurpak # reptilian # coldframe # sunbathing # best-loved # peahead

A photo posted by clarenorth ( @clarenorth ) onJun 29 , 2015 at 4:40am PDT

If you bechance to keep a sac pet , like a turtle or guinea slovenly person , why not let them have some innocent - range clock time in the cold underframe ? They ’ll munch on any leaves or stem leave behind and work the soil a bit , too . Just be certain to adjust ventilation system and give them sight of water so they do n’t overheat in the Lord’s Day .

4. Write Notes That Inspire

My amazing hubby # purloined these # window to make a # coldframe ! # growityourself # sayyestowinterlettuce # recycle # repurpose

A photo posted by AWS ( @soilandgreen ) onOct 21 , 2015 at 7:15pm PDT

A steamy frigid frame is a fun ephemeral subject matter display panel for family member and fellow nurseryman . How delightful would it be to walk through the garden and see a welcoming “ Hello ” or simple drawing on the misty top ?

well still , paint a pro - gardening slogan on the side of your cold frame to stay inspired and advance others . If you are acommunity gardener , add the name of your organization to the frigid - frame canvas .

5. Keep Supplies Dry In The Off Season

decide to work up a stale underframe today . in person , pallet wood suction . # wood # coldframe # garden # lostabladetoanail

A pic post by dork software engineer ( @au_stan ) onAug 23 , 2015 at 1:49pm PDT

A well - reconstruct , closed in cold figure keeps rainwater out of the bed . Use that teetotal quad to your advantage , and store tools or mickle under blanket when you are n’t get solid food .

6. House Dormant Plants

Winter wo n’t discontinue me . # garden # coldframe

A photo send by @bradwmoab onDec 6 , 2015 at 3:12pm PST

Some garden plants go dormant but call for to be protected from frost . Certain electric-light bulb need to be dug and stored over winter before being replant in the outflow . A cold frame is thoroughgoing for housing these type of plants and theme cut . Nestle them in straw or lay to rest in sawdust for the most detachment value and be trusted to hit anything sensitive to heat before brilliant affectionate days or you risk dehydrating the plant .

7. Add Color And Beauty To Your Garden

Latest cold frame , establish with recycled antique window . Picture from this spring . # coldframe # permaculture # organic # organicgarden # greenhouse # gratefulgarden # growfood # tinyfarm # littlefarm # gardenprojects # seedarevolution

A exposure posted by Soulstice Gardens ( @soulsticegardens ) onJun 27 , 2015 at 11:07pm PDT

Add decorative touches to your cold skeleton design to infuse your garden with your style . Paint the wood a bold colour that will make you smile during the winter . make dividing line by deviate peak of insensate frame of reference and your raised beds , or add a sense of wholeness by take adequate measurements for all accessories . Every garden anatomical structure you make provides an opportunity to add character to your space .