❄️ Extend Your Garden with a DIY Cold Frame

QUOTE FROM THE HOMESTEAD

HOMESTEAD TIP OF THE DAY

IN TODAY'S EDITION

🌾 WHAT IS A COLD FRAME?

A cold frame is a simple, low-to-the-ground structure with a clear lid that acts like a mini greenhouse.
✅ Protects crops from frost
✅ Extends your growing season by weeks (or months!)
✅ Perfect for greens, herbs, and hardy veggies

Think of it as your garden’s cozy blanket.

.🔨 HOW TO BUILD ONE (STEP BY STEP)

Materials Needed:

• Old window or clear polycarbonate sheet (for the lid)

• Lumber, bricks, or straw bales (for the frame)

• Hinges (optional, for easy opening)

Steps:

1. Choose a sunny spot with good drainage.

2. Build your frame about 12–18 inches tall at the back, sloping down to the front (so rain/snow slides off).

3. Attach your lid (old window, door, or plastic sheet) to the top.

4. Plant cool-season crops inside: spinach, lettuce, kale, radishes, carrots, or even start seedlings early.

5. Vent daily on sunny days by propping the lid open — otherwise plants can overheat.

💡 Pro Tip: Line the inside with straw bales for extra insulation in colder climates.

💛 MINDSET MOMENT: WORK SMARTER, NOT HARDER

Homesteading isn’t about muscling through every season — it’s about creating systems that work for you. A cold frame is just that:

• Less replanting = more harvest

• Less waste = more savings

• More food in the “shoulder seasons” = less grocery stress

As Cal Newport (author of Deep Work) puts it: “Focus on what gives you the greatest return.” A cold frame is one of those high-return projects.

THE HOMESTEAD GIGGLE CHAMBER 😎

LET’S KEEP IT REEL!

I've put together some fantastic farm-ish videos that are sure to make you laugh. Take a look and enjoy the fun!

rockymountain.homestead

41K followers

View more on Instagram

emogoatmom

740K followers

View more on Instagram

thebraleyfamily

480K followers

View more on Instagram

Cold frames are proof that you don’t need fancy tools or expensive setups to grow more food. With a little scrap wood, an old window, and some determination, you can eat fresh greens long after frost.

Xo, Lex ☀️

ENGAGE WITH US

Stay Connected (and inspired) on Socials ☀️