The growing season is short, many areas are at high elevations, and frost can come early or late, which limits the types of crops gardeners can grow. Season extension means using methods to help plants grow beyond the normal frost-free period. Before starting, Idaho gardeners should consider their local climate, how much space they have, their budget, and what crops they want to grow. One of the easiest ways to extend the season is using cold frames and hotbeds. They let gardeners grow crops for more weeks and protect sensitive crops, like strawberries, from frost.