Introduction When the crisp air of autumn settles in and the first frosts threaten your garden, most people assume the growing season is over. But what if you could keep harvesting fresh greens, herbs, and even root crops well into winter—without investing in an expensive greenhouse? That’s where cold frame gardening comes in. Cold frames and hoop houses are the unsung heroes of the backyard garden. They’re simple, affordable, and incredibly effective at extending your harvest. With just a few materials—often things you already have lying around—you can build protective structures that shield your plants from frost, wind, and fluctuating…