Gardening 101: Building a Cold Frame

Gardening 101: Winter Gardening

Extend your growing season and protect your plants from the cold with our hands-on workshop, Gardening 101: Building a Cold Frame, at The Farm at Millican Reserve. 

In this class, participants will learn the principles behind cold frame gardening — how to capture and retain heat, manage ventilation, and choose the right materials for their space and climate. Together, we’ll build two different styles of cold frames on-site: 

• Hay Bale Cold Frame: A simple, low-cost, and easily movable design using straw or hay bales for insulation and a clear top for light transmission. 

• Wood Frame Cold Frame: A more durable and permanent structure built from plywood and boards for season-long protection. 

This workshop will include discussion and demonstration of best practices for placement, soil use, crop selection, and maintenance. Participants will leave with the knowledge to build their own cold frame at home — no prior carpentry or gardening experience required! 

Parking

Please use the Farm Entrance to Millican Reserve (19851 FM 2154). Designated parking is at the Basecamp grassy area. You MAY NOT PROCEED past the Farm area in your vehicle. 

All outdoor events are subject to cancellation due to inclement weather. Registered attendees will be notified via email in the event of a cancellation.
If you have questions or are having difficulty registering for this event, please email info@millicanreserve.com.