Want to get a jump on the growing season without breaking the bank? Want to turn a waste product into a useable resource? Cold frames and greenhouses made out of salvaged lumber and used windows are a great way to extend the growing season, harden starts and keep our natural resources out of the landfill. With a little planning and some minimal construction skills you can easily make one to fit your gardening needs.

As more and more people replace their single pane windows with more energy efficient varieties, many of the old windows are entering the waste stream. Thanks to the efforts of local non-profit organizations like BRING Recycling, these windows are being saved from entombment in the Short Mountain landfill and put back into service in a creative manner.

BRING operates a used building material salvage yard at Franklin Blvd. and Seavey Loop Road. Here you can find all that you will need to construct your cold frames or greenhouse and you can get these materials at bargain prices. As the days are getting longer, now is the time to build one. Cold frames are simple and easy to construct and do the same job as their larger cousin the greenhouse.

I prefer the aluminum framed windows. They are generally lighter weight than wood sashes, but any will work. You can use the entire window or just one section, such as the slider piece. Since windows come in all different dimensions I build the wooden cold frame around the window. It is a lot easier and less time consuming than trying to find a window to fit the box you have already assembled.

Once you have selected your window, use 2x6's on up to 2x12's to make the sides of the box. Again you can pick up used lumber from a salvage yard inexpensively. The cold frame should be higher in the back and lower in the front. A box about 18" high in the back and 12" in the front works well. This provides the necessary slope for rain to drain off, a good angle for sun exposure and some room in the rear for taller plants. The window should be attached with hinges or removable so that it can be opened to provide ventilation on those sunny days.

For those with the gardening space and skills, consider building a greenhouse. It takes planning, but a greenhouse can take you to a new level of gardening. Take a trip out to BRING with your tape measure and note pad. Look through windows and come up with some rough dimensions. Sketch out your project and then get to work. Building a greenhouse requires more construction skills than a cold frame but with the proper know-how your greenhouse made with discarded sliding glass doors or windows will provide you with years of gardening enjoyment.

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