If you love gardening but hate the uncertainty that British weather often brings, a cold frame can be a real game-changer. This tall model from Christow offers extra height and space compared with traditional low-profile frames, making it easier to grow a wider variety of plants. Think everything from leafy salad greens and herbs, to taller veggies or even young shrubs.
Rain, frost or unpredictable spring chills won’t throw you off, because it creates a protected micro-climate, helping you extend your growing season into early spring and late autumn.
It’s made from wood that the brand claims is treated to protect against rot and insects, and comes in two finishes (or can be painted if preferred). The height means you don’t have to hunch over when planting or tending seedlings, and the three slatted shelves are all removable to make room for taller plants to flourish. It’s currently priced at £79.99, reduced from £229.99, meaning customers can save a whopping 65%.
For anyone who’s tried a bare-bed winter garden or a low cloche and ended up with rotting seedlings or plants that failed to thrive, this offers a sheltered space to nurture your plants. It’s especially useful if you want a head start in spring or want to stretch your harvest into the colder months.
Gardening expert, Jekka McVicar, who has over 35 years of experience in horticulture, spoke exclusively to the Daily Express to discuss the benefits of using a cold frame. She told us: “They are really useful, perhaps more so than greenhouses because they allow the cold, fresh air to circulate. And realistically, it’s not the cold that will kill plants but the rain.
“In my experience, rain kills more plants than anything else. As long as the temperature is above freezing, keeping plants dry but well ventilated is your top priority. If you consider the recent weather, we’ve had an absolute deluge of rain and then it’s turned very warm. This makes prime breeding ground for mould. The great thing about cold frames is that you can open the top and allow everything to air out (or in this case,
“I like to put plants that can be repotted come spring, things like hellebore, cornflowers, beautiful California poppies, Nigella, peonies. Or, if you want to plant seeds, things like kale, spinach, and broad beans will grow beautifully in a cold frame.
“If the weather drops below freezing, you can wrap your cold frame with horticulture fleece to insulate it. It’ll look like it’s wearing a duvet.”
The cold frame has garnered positive reviews from gardeners, with one writing: “I really like the pitched roof, which can be opened as much or as little as required. It seems quite sturdy and fits perfectly into our small space.” Another added: “It looks really nice in the garden, and I love that the shelves are removable. This will be really useful once I’ve stopped growing seeds and can use it for a small tomato plant or two.”
The vast majority of reviewers say it’s “easy to assemble” and describe it as “sturdy”; however, a small number commented that it appears “flimsier” than expected.
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