New Arrival
103 x 103 cm Cold frame
DORIS
- sturdy aluminium frame
- approx. 16 mm thick twin-wall sheets
- durable & weatherproof
- no base
special stock, longer delivery time
Free Mainland delivery£269.00
Cold frames
New Arrival
205 x 103 cm Cold frame
DORIS
- sturdy aluminium frame
- approx. 16 mm thick twin-wall sheets
- durable & weatherproof
- no base
special stock, longer delivery time
Free Mainland delivery£349.00
New Arrival
197 x 103 cm Cold frame
DORIS
- sturdy aluminium frame
- approx. 16 mm thick twin-wall sheets
- durable & weatherproof
- no base
special stock, longer delivery time
Free Mainland delivery£369.00
New Arrival
103 x 132 cm Cold frame
CARO
- sturdy aluminium frame
- approx. 16 mm thick twin-wall sheets
- durable & weatherproof
- no base
special stock, longer delivery time
Free Mainland delivery£299.00
New Arrival
205 x 132 cm Cold frame
CARO
- sturdy aluminium frame
- approx. 16 mm thick twin-wall sheets
- durable & weatherproof
- no base
special stock, longer delivery time
Free Mainland delivery£459.00
A cold frame to last for days to come
With our cold frames, you're not just buying a product but investing in the ideal environment for your plants to thrive year-round. Our commitment to quality ensures that you receive a durable and cost-effective solution for your gardening needs. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or a green-thumbed beginner, our mini greenhouses create the perfect conditions for a diverse range of fruits and vegetables, regardless of the season.
What is a cold frame?
A cold frame is a transparent enclosure designed to harness sunlight and create a microclimate for plants. Bigger than a cloche, but smaller than a mini greenhouse, a cold frame extends the growing season by shielding plants from harsh weather conditions. Its versatility allows you to control temperature and humidity, providing an optimal environment for seed germination, hardening off seedlings, and nurturing robust plants throughout the year.
Gardening with a cold frame
Cold frame gardening can help you increase your yields and explore more plant varieties, including tender plants like eggplants and chilies. Our standalone cold frames offer ample space and protection for young crops to grow, providing 33 cm of clearance at the front and 44 cm at the rear. This makes them perfect for nurturing young plants and overwintering hardy vegetables, ensuring they thrive in various weather conditions.
What to grow in a cold frame
Maximize the potential of your cold frame by choosing the best cold frame plants. Shield alpines from excessive rain, preserving their delicate beauty. Extend the life cycle of young annuals by overwintering them. Elevate your summer harvest by cultivating heat-loving crops like eggplants, tomatoes, and chillies, utilizing the box's warmth to boost yields. Harden off tender young plants and vegetables gradually, transitioning them from indoor environments to harsher outdoor conditions over 2-3 weeks. Gain a head start on the growing season by planting early crops like spinach, radishes, or peas, taking advantage of the protective environment the cold frame offers
Hardening off seedlings in a cold frame
The most important aspect of hardening off seedlings in a cold frame is ensuring the plants can gradually acclimate to colder conditions. This typically takes 2-3 weeks, allowing the plants to adjust to temperature variations, increased sunlight, and potential wind exposure. If particularly cold temperatures are expected overnight, throw old blankets over the growhouse.
Four helpful tips for using a cold frame
Temperature Monitoring
Regularly check and adjust the internal temperature of your cold frame to ensure it aligns with your plants' specific needs. Use a thermometer to maintain optimal growing conditions.
Ventilation
Proper airflow is key. Avoid overheating by strategically opening the cold frame on warmer days. Conversely, secure it during colder nights to retain warmth. This balance promotes a healthy environment for your plants.
Watering Strategy
Be mindful of watering frequency. Coldframes can limit natural rainfall, so a consistent watering schedule is essential. However, proper drainage should be ensured to prevent waterlogging and root issues.
Seasonal Adaptation
Tailor your cold frame gardening approach to each season. Use the frame to start seeds in spring, protect plants from summer heat, extend the growing season in autumn, and provide winter shelter for cold-tolerant crops. Adapting to seasonal nuances maximizes the benefits of your growhouse.
Choosing between a cold frame, greenhouse or polytunnel
Cold Frames
- Small, low to the ground, portable
- Polycarbonate panels, aluminium frame
- Low cost
- Simple & quick setup
- Limited climate control
Mini Greenhouses
- Walk-in, more permanent
- Polycarbonate panels, aluminium frame
- Pricier, depending on the size
- Requires more time and effort to setup
- Great climate control with skylights
Polytunnels
- Tunnel-shaped, semi-permanent
- Polythene plastic cover, steel frame
- Medium to high cost, depending on size
- Moderately easy to setup
- Great climate control with oll up windows
The best materials for a cold frame
Our cold frame covers are crafted from high-grade aluminium and twin-wall polycarbonate sheets, which ensure long-life protection and insulation for your plants.
Twin-wall polycarbonate cold frames
Our professional garden greenhouse cold frame has a polycarbonate cover and walls. This lightweight, hard-wearing material has excellent properties that meet the requirements of growing both tender and half-hardy plants:
Thermal Insulation
The polycarbonate panels provide thermal insulation, maintaining a stable and warm environment for plants during colder months, ensuring their growth and survival.
UV Protection
The polycarbonate material effectively filters harmful UV rays, protecting the plants from potential sun damage while still allowing them to thrive under natural light.
Light Transmission
The 16-mm-thick twin-walled polycarbonate panels allow optimal light transmission. This ensures that plants receive adequate sunlight for photosynthesis, promoting healthy growth.
Strong and lightweight aluminium frames
The aluminium used in our cold frames boasts exceptional durability, providing a sturdy foundation for long-lasting structures. Its corrosion-resistant properties make it an ideal choice for metal cold frames, ensuring longevity in various weather conditions. Crafted with precision, our aluminium cold frames offer robust support while maintaining a sleek and lightweight design for ease of use.
Comparison of various cold frame materials
| Woodern cold frame with glass cover | Aluminium cold frame with polycarbonate panels |
|---|---|
| Natural material | Durable and weather-resistant |
| Rustic look | Clean modern appearance |
| Not weather-resistant | Lightweight and easy to handle |
| Bulky timber frame | Easy access with hinged lids |
| Needs care & maintenance | 10 year guarantee on the polycarbonate sheets |
How to build a cold frame
Homemade cold frames are a big hit with amateur gardeners. Making your own garden frame is the ideal way to start gardening under cover, and has its advantages. On the other hand, DIY cold frames are often made of wood or glass, materials that don't offer the best properties for practical long-term use.
As well as being easy to assemble, our polycarbonate mini greenhouse will ensure that your vegetable garden grows and is protected for years to come. Our models are delivered in kit form with all the components you need for self assembly, so you're guaranteed to save time!
Our cold frame sizes
Our standalone cold frames are available in various widths to suit different needs. Our smallest cold frame, the DORIS 1010, starts at approximately 103 x 103 cm and features 2 openable lids with handy stands, enabling you to control the temperature on warm days. For wider options, we offer the DORIS 1910 with a width of approximately 197 x 132 cm, and the DORIS 2010 with a width of approximately 205 x 103 cm. These larger models feature lids on either side, allowing you free access to tend to your plants. The CARO 1013, measuring approximately 103 x 132 cm, and the CARO 2013, measuring approximately 205 x 132 cm, extend to a depth of approximately 132 cm, providing ample space for your gardening needs. With such a big range of products, you're guaranteed to find a size that suits your garden.
Raised bed covers
Exlpore our assoritment of cold frame attachments for raised beds! We offer cold frame attachments that are measured to fit perfectly on top of our raised garden beds. If
Our expert service
Our team of garden experts are happy to be contacted. You can pose them any questions you might have about the relative advantages of aluminium cold frames over wooden ones. Or simply ask about differences in the costs and benefits of coldframes in relation to greenhouses. You can contact us either by phone or email.
Expert advice
