Of course, everyone has heard of greenhouses and cold frames, especially if you are into gardening. Both are indispensable for extending the growing season and protecting plants from bad weather. But what should you choose? Should you opt for a mini greenhouse cold frame or choose a large greenhouse? Now is the time to understand the differences, advantages and real-life experience of using cold frames greenhouses and traditional greenhouses.
What is a cold frame greenhouse
We can say that a cold frame greenhouses is a compact gardening tool that is located on the ground and protects plants from external influences. Essentially, it is a box with a transparent lid that captures sunlight and retains heat. It does not require electricity or other heating systems unlike a traditional greenhouse.
I’ll never forget the first cold frame greenhouses we built ourselves on our Idaho property out of scrap wood and old window glass. Naturally, it was far from perfect, but it worked and produced good results. By the end of March we were already harvesting spinach while our neighbors were still struggling with frost.
Greenhouse vs cold frame. What’s the difference?
Let’s assume for the sake of simplicity that the main differences between a greenhouse vs cold frame are their size and functionality.
Сold frame are small, low garden structures that require only sunlight to use. They provide excellent frost protection and are ideal for early planting and preparing seedlings for transplanting.
Traditional Greenhouses are larger, taller structures that allow gardeners to work inside. They are usually equipped with a heating system and are used for year-round growing.
For example, the Juwel Biostar 1500 Premium Cold Frame Mini-Greenhouse is well suited for gardeners with small plots.
Why choose a сold frame greenhouse
If you have limited space or budget, there’s not much to think about and a mini greenhouse cold frame will be your best solution. It’s a great way to start spring planting or protect delicate plants in the fall. Plus, we have to admit, they don’t require much maintenance. When we first set up a cold frames greenhouses, on our property, it was a real life life-saver for gardeners in Idaho’s unpredictable weather conditions.
Some of them can be utilized as follows:
- Hardening seedlings before transplanting.
- Overwintering grasses and perennials.
- Extending the harvest season.
Scientific fact! According to a study on solar gardening, the use of cold frame greenhouses can extend the growing season by an average of 4-6 weeks.
When is it better to choose a greenhouse
But if you plan to grow tropical plants or perhaps want to create a controlled environment all year round, a traditional greenhouse may definitely be the best choice for you. It is the greenhouses that are great for owners of large lots who want to install a permanent structure.
And we, when we moved to our 2-acre lot, realized that moving to a full greenhouse would be a logical decision. But guess what? We still use cold frame greenhouses for some tasks, like things like hardening off tender seedlings in the spring.
So, what to choose?
To make the right choice, ask yourself a few questions:
- How much space do you have?
- What is your budget?
- Do you grow plants year-round or seasonally?
And here’s the important thing in this case – you don’t necessarily have to choose one thing. If you have both a traditional greenhouse and a cold frame greenhouses on your plot, it will be the perfect combination. Wouldn’t you agree?
Recommended products for greenhouses
Ready to get started? Here are a few of our favorite options:
- Juwel Biostar 1500 Premium Cold Frame Mini-Greenhouse – a popular and durable solution for small gardens.
- Greenhouse kits on Amazon – affordable and beginner-friendly.
- Mini greenhouses – portable and easy to install.
Tip. Look for products with UV-resistant materials so they last longer.
Your next step in gardening
Whether you prefer a cold frame greenhouse or a traditional greenhouse, both can greatly enhance your gardening experience. Personally, I recommend starting with a mini greenhouse cold frame to get a feel for how it works. And then you can expand your horizons as you gain confidence. So, ready to build or buy your first cold frame greenhouses? Share your plans in the comments, I’d love to hear your opinions and results.
