AY Honors/Hotbed cold frame

2007-03-31T23:28:50Z

134.84.102.244: removed graffiti

[[Image:Coldframe 1.jpg|thumb|''A traditional home made cold frame'']]
In [[agriculture]] and [[gardening]], a '''cold frame''' is a [[Transparency (optics)|transparent]]-roofed enclosure, built low to the ground, used to protect [[plant]]s from cold [[weather]]. The transparent top admits [[sunlight]] and relies on the [[greenhouse effect]] to [[Reflection (physics)|reflect]] back [[radiant]] heat that would otherwise escape at night. Essentially, a cold frame functions as a miniature greenhouse [[season extension]] [[device]].

Cold frames are found in [[home gardens]] and in [[vegetable]] farming. They create [[microclimate]]s that provide several [[degree (temperature)|degree]]s of air and [[soil]] temperature [[Thermal insulation|insulation]], and shelter from [[wind]]. In cold-[[winter]] regions, these characteristics allow plants to be started earlier in the [[spring (season)|spring]], and to survive longer into the [[autumn|fall]] and [[winter]]. They are most often used for growing [[seedling]]s that are later [[transplanting|transplanted]] into open ground, and can also be a permanent home to cold-[[hardy]] vegetables grown for fall and winter [[harvest]].

Cold frame construction is a common home or [[farm]] building project, although kits and commercial systems are available. A traditional plan makes use of old glass windows: a wooden frame is built a [[foot (unit of length)|foot]] or two high, and the window placed on top. The roof is often sloped towards the winter sun to capture more light, and to improve runoff of water, and [[hinge]]d for easy access. Clear plastic, rigid or sheeting, can be used in place of glass. An electric [[heating cable]], available for this purpose, can be placed in the soil to provide additional heat.

[[Category:Agriculture]]

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AY Honors/Hotbed cold frame