A cold frame is a smaller, passive solar structure used to extend the growing season and protect plants from colder temperatures. It is typically used for soil-grown crops or hardening off plants from heated greenhouses. However, unlike a greenhouse, which has more advanced heating, cold frames do not need to be heated. They can keep frost away from plants and offer a compact and affordable gardening approach.
Greenhouses are larger and more elaborate structures that provide year-round growing, greater environmental control, and more complex ease of use. They typically have a higher initial investment and require more space. The biggest difference between a cold frame and a greenhouse is that a cold frame typically doesn’t use a heat source and might only stand a few feet.
In summary, both cold frames and greenhouses offer unique advantages for gardeners. Cold frames are versatile and affordable options that extend the growing season and protect plants in a compact space. Greenhouses offer year-round growing, greater environmental control, and more complex ease of use. Both types of greenhouses are essential for maintaining a healthy and vibrant indoor environment for plants.
📹 Comparing the pros and cons of: cold-frames; low and high polytunnels; greenhouses and mesh tunnels
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📹 How to Build & the Benefits of a Basic Geothermal Garden Cold Frame: Dig for Temperature Regulation
By digging the base of your garden cold frame down 16-24 inches in depth, you can regulate temperatures better and manage …
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