Low temperatures and freezing nights doesn't signal the end of the gardening season. A variety of outdoor structures, from the simple to the complex, allow you to continue growing flowers well into winter. When we experience mild high desert winters, you can successfully extend your fall gardening up until the time of spring planting.

Cloche

The simplest season extender works best for protecting flower and vegetable seedlings in the spring. A cloche typically covers a single plant. You can purchase premade cloches or make your own by cutting the bottom off a plastic milk jug. The cloche provides a mini-greenhouse environment when set over the plant during cold weather. You must vent the cloche, which is as easy as removing the lid on the jug, when it's sunny outside.

Row Covers

Row covers protect entire rows or small beds of plants from light frosts. Floating row covers don't require a frame. A homemade version requires a framework, usually made from PVC pipe, that supports a thick clear plastic covering. Row covers work well into the winter months to keep you plants warm.

Coldframe

A coldframe provides a more permanent season extender structure for your garden. Plant the flowers inside this glass topped box. The lifts up or you remove it entirely during warm or sunny weather. Some coldframes feature automatic venting functions that lift the lid when the temperature inside the box rises. A well-built coldframe can keep cool season flowers blooming through the entire winter in our Albuquerque climate.