Best Gardening Cold Frames of 2025

Toby Butcher Avatar
Toby Butcher
Last Updated: 2 Feb 2025

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Gardening Cold Frames are an essential tool for any avid gardener looking to extend their growing season. These simple yet effective structures provide a protected environment for plants to thrive in, shielding them from harsh weather conditions and pests. With a variety of sizes and styles available, gardeners can choose the perfect cold frame to suit their needs and preferences. Whether you're looking to start seedlings early in the spring or grow vegetables well into the winter, a gardening cold frame is an excellent investment for any green-fingered enthusiast.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Garden Grow Outdoor Cold Frame for Plants Cover #TOP 1
Garden Grow Outdoor Cold Frame for Plants
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Woodside Wooden Cold Frame for Plants Cover #TOP 2
Woodside Wooden Cold Frame for Plants
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Spear & Jackson Timber Cold Frame 1000 x 660mm Cover #TOP 3
Spear & Jackson Timber Cold Frame 1000 x 660mm
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Gardening Cold Frames

#TOP 1

Garden Grow Outdoor Cold Frame for Plants

blue
Cold Frame
Garden Grow Outdoor Cold Frame for Plants Cover
Garden Grow Wooden Outdoor Cold Frame Grow House Polycarbonate Shelter for Garden Vegetables & Plants

The Garden Grow Cold Frame is designed to extend your growing season, allowing you to protect your plants from cold and wet conditions. This means you can start planting in early spring, giving your garden a head start. The hinged lid makes it easy for you to access your plants without hassle, ensuring you can tend to them with minimal effort. Constructed from a robust fir wood frame and polycarbonate panels, this cold frame is built to last, providing a reliable shelter for your vegetables and plants.

What We Like
Extends growing season
Easy access with hinged lid
Durable wooden construction
Perfectly sized for gardens
#TOP 2

Woodside Wooden Cold Frame for Plants

W570
Brown
Woodside Wooden Cold Frame for Plants Cover
Woodside Outdoor Wooden Plant Flower Vegetable Cold Frame Growhouse

The Woodside Cold Frame is an excellent solution for growing small ornamental and vegetable plants while protecting them from harsh weather conditions. With its sturdy wooden design, you can rest assured that your plants are safe from rain, wind, snow, and frost. The translucent panels ensure that your plants receive ample sunlight, promoting healthy growth. Additionally, the hinged lid provides easy access for you to tend to your plants while allowing for necessary ventilation, making it a practical choice for any gardener.

What We Like
Protects plants from harsh weather
Translucent panels allow sunlight
Easy access with hinged lid
Sturdy construction for durability
#TOP 3

Spear & Jackson Timber Cold Frame 1000 x 660mm

COLDFRAME1
Multi-Colour
1000 x 660 x 440 mm
Spear & Jackson Timber Cold Frame 1000 x 660mm Cover
Spear & Jackson COLDFRAME1 Timber Cold Frame 1000 x 660 x 400mm

The Spear & Jackson Cold Frame is designed to protect your plants from cold weather while providing warmth. With its tanalised wood finish, it offers a higher degree of weatherproofing, which means your plants can thrive in various conditions. The durable plastic panes ensure that sunlight reaches your plants, promoting healthy growth. Plus, you will find fasteners and assembly instructions included, making it easy to set up and start using right away.

What We Like
Effective plant protection
Weatherproof wood finish
Durable plastic panes
Easy assembly
#TOP 4

Selections Wooden Framed Cold Frame Growhouse

GFJ146
Natural
120cm
Selections Wooden Framed Cold Frame Growhouse Cover
Selections Wooden Framed Polycarbonate Cold Frame Growhouse Mini Greenhouse

The Selections Cold Frame is a practical addition to your gardening tools. With its wooden frame and polycarbonate panels, it provides a sturdy and effective environment for your plants. Measuring 100cm wide and 40cm high, it offers ample space for growing a variety of plants. The hinged top allows easy access, making it simple for you to tend to your plants without hassle. This cold frame is perfect for extending your growing season and protecting your plants from harsh weather conditions.

What We Like
Durable wooden frame
Ample growing space
Hinged top for easy access
Protects plants from weather
#TOP 5

Wooden Cold Frame with Hinged Roof

FED 67291
oak|beige|grey
Wooden Cold Frame with Hinged Roof Cover
Wooden Cold Frame with Polycarbonate Glazing - 1000 x 660 x 400 mm

The easigear Cold Frame is an excellent addition to any garden, providing a wooden framed structure with polycarbonate glazing. The hinged roof allows easy access, making it simple for you to tend to your plants. With a wooden stay for ventilation, you can ensure your plants receive the right airflow, promoting healthy growth. This cold frame is also easy to assemble and can be relocated as needed, offering flexibility in your gardening efforts. It effectively protects small plants from cold weather, giving them a warm environment to thrive.

What We Like
Easy access with hinged roof
Good ventilation for plants
Portable and easy to assemble
Protects plants from cold
#TOP 6

Haxnicks Light-Booster Cold Frame with Reflective Panel

LIGHTB030101
Cold Frame
W150 x H160 x D40cm
Haxnicks Light-Booster Cold Frame with Reflective Panel Cover
Haxnicks Light-Booster Cold Frame, Silver Foil Back Panel Increases Light By Up To 50 Percent, W150 x H160 x D40cm, LIGHTB030101

The Haxnicks Light-Booster Cold Frame is designed to enhance your gardening experience. With its foil back panels, it reflects light back onto your plants, increasing light levels by up to 50%. This feature is especially beneficial for propagating exotic plants that thrive in higher light conditions. Constructed from durable powder-coated steel and tough plastic joints, it ensures longevity. The thick cover protects your plants from frost and harsh weather, while side vents with insect netting provide essential ventilation for healthy growth.

What We Like
Increases light by 50%
Durable construction
Protects from frost
Ventilated for plant health
#TOP 7

Rowlinson Timber Coldframe with Dual Lids

COLDFR2
Natural
Rowlinson Timber Coldframe with Dual Lids Cover
Rowlinson Timber Coldframe

The Rowlinson Timber Coldframe is designed to enhance your gardening experience. It features two independently opening lids, allowing you to control ventilation and light exposure for your plants with ease. The lid stays offer two height settings, giving you the flexibility to accommodate various plant sizes. Constructed from a robust 19mm thick timber frame, this coldframe is built to last. Additionally, it is pressure treated against rot, ensuring it withstands the elements while maintaining its natural timber finish.

What We Like
Dual independently opening lids
Adjustable lid height settings
Durable timber frame
Pressure treated for longevity
#TOP 8

Smart Garden Wooden Coldframe with UV Glazing

Smart Garden Products
2184
Grey
Smart Garden Wooden Coldframe with UV Glazing Cover
Smart Garden Wooden Timber GroZone Coldframe

The Smart Garden Coldframe is made from FSC certified wood, stained in a pale grey finish, which adds an aesthetic touch to your garden. Its twin-walled UV resistant polycarbonate glazing ensures excellent frost insulation, helping you maintain a consistent temperature for optimum plant growth. The hinged lid, fitted with two locking stays, allows for easy access, making it convenient for you to tend to your plants. With dimensions of 100cm wide, 65cm deep, and 40cm high at the highest point, it provides ample space for various plants.

What We Like
Eco-friendly FSC certified wood
Excellent frost insulation
Easy access with hinged lid
Ample growing space
#TOP 9

Zest Sleeper Cold Frame for Seedlings

ZEST
Sleeper Cold Frame
Zest Sleeper Cold Frame for Seedlings Cover
Zest Sleeper Cold Frame – Wooden Garden Cold Frame for Plants – Seedling Greenhouse for Patios, Balconies and Gardens – Pressure-Treated PEFC-Certified Wood – 1.70 m (W) x 0.60 m (D) x 0.43/0.32 m (H)

The Zest Sleeper Cold Frame is perfect for nurturing seedlings, offering protection from frost during colder months. This ensures your plants thrive and are ready for spring planting. With two hinged windows made from tough acrylic glazing, you can easily access your plants while maintaining visibility. Crafted from high-quality, PEFC-certified wood, this cold frame is both sustainable and durable, providing a robust environment for your gardening needs. Its sturdy construction ensures it withstands the elements, enabling you to enjoy years of successful growing.

What We Like
Great frost protection for seedlings
Easy access with hinged windows
Sustainable, high-quality wood
Sturdy and durable design
#TOP 10

VegTrug 1m Cold Frame for Plant Protection

VTCFN0560
Natural
105x76x46 cm
VegTrug 1m Cold Frame for Plant Protection Cover
Vegtrug VTCFN0560 1 m Cold Frame - Natural

The VegTrug Cold Frame is an excellent solution for protecting your young plants and seedlings from unexpected spring frosts. This cold frame also safeguards half-hardy bedding plants throughout the winter months, ensuring they remain healthy and vibrant. The lid can be opened partially or fully, providing you with easy access and proper aeration for your plants. This feature allows you to regulate temperature and moisture levels effectively, creating a nurturing environment for your plants to thrive.

What We Like
Protects against spring frost
Winter protection for bedding plants
Adjustable lid for aeration
Easy access for plant care
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a gardeners cold frame?

In agriculture and gardening, a cold frame is a transparent-roofed enclosure, built low to the ground, used to protect plants from adverse weather, primarily excessive cold or wet. ... Essentially, a cold frame functions as a miniature greenhouse to extend the growing season.

2. What can you grow in cold frames?

What Can Be Grown in a Cold Frame? Most commonly, salad greens such as spinach, chard, arugula and a variety of lettuces are grown in a cold frame, but it's not just limited to that. Other vegetables can be successfully grown in a cold frame too, including radishes, leeks and carrots.

3. Are cold frames any good?

In spring and early summer, coldframes and mini-greenhouses are a useful place to harden off tender young plants, such as half-hardy annuals and vegetables. These structures can be used to provide a halfway house between the greenhouse and the harsher conditions experienced in the garden.

4. What should a cold frame sit on?

Siting your frame Place your cold frame somewhere sunny and sheltered, so plants and seedlings get as much light and warmth as possible. A patio provides a stable surface; at an allotment, a few flagstones will do the trick.

Editor's Notes

During our gardening cold frame research, we found 30 gardening cold frame products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 6,511 customer reviews through our big data system to write the gardening cold frames list. We found that most customers choose gardening cold frames with an average price of £47.57.

The gardening cold frames are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of gardening cold frames, including Garden Grow, Woodside, Spear & Jackson, Selections, easigear. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,536 consumers with an average rating of 4.3.

Written by
Toby Butcher Avatar

Toby Butcher is a Horticulturist, and he earned his title as a Master Gardener in 2016. Toby has acquired a 25-year experience as a home gardener planting, designing, grooming vegetables and flowers. He is the leader of a plant group in Durham. Toby owns a blog where he publishes articles on growing and growing your flowers at home, in a vase, or in a garden.