Cold frame vs greenhouse: which option is best for you?

A cold frame or a greenhouse, which is the best option for your garden? Our guide will take you through the key differences between the two products and the gardening benefits each choice can provide.

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Quick guide: cold frame vs greenhouse
Why choose a traditional greenhouse?
Why choose a cold frame?
What else should you consider?

Cold frame vs. greenhouse – quick guide

Cold frame greenhouses

• Cost: More affordable, with DIY options available.
• Size: Compact, ideal for small spaces.
• Ease of use: Simple to set up and maintain.
• Best for: Hardening off seedlings, extending seasons for cool-weather crops.

Traditional greenhouses

• Cost: Higher initial investment.
• Size: Larger, requiring more space.
• Ease of use: More complex, with temperature and humidity controls.
• Best for: Year-round cultivation, growing a wider variety of plants.

Why choose a cold frame?

Cold frame greenhouses are the perfect solution if you do not have the space or budget for a traditional greenhouse. They rely on insulation and sunlight to create an ideal environment for plant growth. They sit low to the ground, with a clear lid that bathes your plants in natural light while shielding them from the chill.

The benefits of a cold frame

Limited space: Cold frame greenhouses are great for gardeners with limited space, offering a compact, cost-effective solution to extend the growing season.

Affordability: Cold frames are your budget-friendly option for advanced gardening and easy to purchase.

Versatility: Whether it's nurturing early sprouting veggies, giving young plants a head start, or safeguarding blooms, cold frames are a perfect choice.

Shielding young sprouts: Cold frames offer young plants a chance to thrive away from the harshness of unpredictable weather.

Easing into the outdoors: They serve as a gentle transition for indoor-sprouted seedlings, easing them into the great outdoors.

Winter refuge: Through the coldest months, cold frames are a retreat for plants that would otherwise struggle or perish.

What grows best in a cold frame?

Cold frames are best to grow cold-hardy vegetables, hardy herbs, winter lettuces and greens, spring bulbs such as tulips, daffodils, crocuses and alpine plants.

Where should you put your cold frame?

Place your cold frame in a spot that basks in the southern sun, ideally against a wall that can store and radiate heat. This will maximise warmth and ensure your plants enjoy a microclimate ideally suited to their growth.

Why choose a traditional greenhouse?

Traditional greenhouses are designed to create the perfect climate for plants to flourish. Greenhouses are made primarily of glass and capture sunlight and warmth, helping your plants and vegetables grow. Traditional greenhouses are the cornerstone of serious gardening, offering a sanctuary against British weather.