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Cold frame versus greenhouse

catherinemccolgan2902a5tMJ8AAcatherinemccolgan2902a5tMJ8AA Posts: 6
in Problem solving
Hi all I have a large cold frame and wondered if I need a green house aswell/instead. Any advice welcome 
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  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    the advantage of a GH is that you can get in there and fiddle with plants in not so good weather. Might even get a seat in as well


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • philippasmith2philippasmith2 Posts: 3,742
    It depends on what you want to grow and how much use you can make of a GH.
  • catherinemccolgan2902a5tMJ8AAcatherinemccolgan2902a5tMJ8AA Posts: 6
    Thank you. Cold frame was full last year although seedlings didn't thrive until late spring. Like to grow variety of vegtables tomatoes peas, beans, courgettes peppers chilli's for example
    I've raised beds this  year so planning carrots and potatoes for those. 
    Flower seedlings taking up so much space indoors and cold frame too cold. 
    Also wondering if I should replace plastic sheeting of cold frame with polycarbonate sheeting would this help any? 
  • Busy-LizzieBusy-Lizzie Posts: 24,043
    Polycarbonate would be better, more insulation. Cover the cold frame with fleece at night. 
    A greenhouse and a cold frame work well because you can put your plants into the cold frame to harden off. A GH gives for more possibilities that a cold frame but it will need some sort of heating to keep it frost free. 
    Dordogne and Norfolk. Clay in Dordogne, sandy in Norfolk.
  • catherinemccolgan2902a5tMJ8AAcatherinemccolgan2902a5tMJ8AA Posts: 6
    Thanks
    So if I am unable to heat a green house I might aswell make the most of the cold frame by changing to polycarbonate and added fleece?
  • bédébédé Posts: 3,095
    Tell us what you want to grow, how much, and how much space you will need for this.
     location: Surrey Hills, England, ex-woodland acidic sand.
    "Have nothing in your garden that you don't know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful."
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    What part of the country are you in @catherinemccolgan2902a5tMJ8AA? Just roughly.
    A cold frame/greenhouse isn't needed for things like your peas and beans, apart from maybe starting them, but that can be done on a windowsill too. Tomatoes are difficult to have outside up here, for example, so your location is the main factor.   :)
    Like toms, chillis and peppers will also need more warmth and protection than peas/beans , and your location will also dictate whether  any of those are viable outdoors. 
    Is it one of those plastic ones you have? They don't offer protection against frost, just rain/snow/sleet. Even the polycarbonate ones don't offer much heat. I have a small one  [enough to grow some toms] but mine is the same temp as outside during winter. It's only once the sun gets in and is warm enough, that that changes  :)
    Timing is important for sowing seed if it's not suitable for getting them outside. Flowers as well as veg.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • catherinemccolgan2902a5tMJ8AAcatherinemccolgan2902a5tMJ8AA Posts: 6
    Fairygirl said:
    What part of the country are you in in Northern Ireland @catherinemccolgan2902a5tMJ8AA? Just roughly.
    A cold frame/greenhouse isn't needed for things like your peas and beans, apart from maybe starting them, but that can be done on a windowsill too. Tomatoes are difficult to have outside up here, for example, so your location is the main factor.   :)
    Like toms, chillis and peppers will also need more warmth and protection than peas/beans , and your location will also dictate whether  any of those are viable outdoors. 
    Is it one of those plastic ones you have? They don't offer protection against frost, just rain/snow/sleet. Even the polycarbonate ones don't offer much heat. I have a small one  [enough to grow some toms] but mine is the same temp as outside during winter. It's only once the sun gets in and is warm enough, that that changes  :)
    Timing is important for sowing seed if it's not suitable for getting them outside. Flowers as well as veg.  :)

  • catherinemccolgan2902a5tMJ8AAcatherinemccolgan2902a5tMJ8AA Posts: 6
    I'm in northern ireland. The cold frame I have is wooden frame with polythene cover 
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Yes - polythene doesn't give much protection unfortunately. 
    Fine for keeping off wet stuff, but not much else, so you'll need something more substantial if many of the plants you want to grow need frost protection, or more warmth, until they can be planted out.  :)
    Light is another factor when sowing, and like us up here, you'll not have as much light in the early part of the year as those in the south of the UK. Toms, for example, need good light. I don't sow mine until around mid March, so that they're a good size, and not leggy, by the time they can go into the growhouse - usually early to mid May.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
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