Cold frame or blow away

[Dave2072]

Hello

I have limited space on my patio and bought a three tier cold frame (wood with polycarbonate sheeting). Was this the right choice compared to a blowaway greenhouse? Feels nice and secure which is good!

Can I keep tomato plants in it during summer as would with a normal greenhouse?

[Bigmallly]

It sounds sturdier than a blowaway, that's the main thing. How tall is it? Your looking for around 5-6ft for Toms. The shelves will need to come out.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Whilst it will feel/be much sturdier than a blow away you will still need to secure it or in strong wind it will errrr 'blow away'.

[Dave2072]

My question wasn't really about sturdiness it was more about which is best for my garden, considering I can probably only have one. If you had to pick a cold frame or blow away greenhouse which would you choose and why? Does a cold frame get hot enough for tomatoes etc?

If a blow away is best, any suggestions?

[Bigmallly]

Can you put pics up of the 2 options you are looking at then we may have a better idea of what can be grown in them. They both essentially do the same job.

[Tripmeup]

I think I have an idea of the cold frame you are describing and may have a similar one myself...

The drawback of it for tomatoes is that it will not have the height of the blowaway and so you will either have to limit to bush type or let them grow out the top somewhere

[Jungle Jane]

As you've bought it already,the wooden one is best for your garden. The good thing about the plastic blow aways are the price. A good thing about the wooden ones is they look nicer & for the money they should be better quality i dont know,I use the plastic blowaways. One's wedged against the house with metal chairs so it doesn't move,ones in the shed until I need it (soon),then it goes back in the shed or over next doors fence in October.

[veggiechicken]

Hello

I have limited space on my patio and bought a three tier cold frame (wood with polycarbonate sheeting). Was this the right choice compared to a blowaway greenhouse? Feels nice and secure which is good!

Can I keep tomato plants in it during summer as would with a normal greenhouse?

My question wasn't really about sturdiness it was more about which is best for my garden, considering I can probably only have one. If you had to pick a cold frame or blow away greenhouse which would you choose and why? Does a cold frame get hot enough for tomatoes etc?

If a blow away is best, any suggestions?

I'm confused as to whether youve bought the coldframe or not!
If you have, and you only have room for one or the other, its too late to ask for opinions. Now we have to tell you how to make best use of what you have!

[Dave2072]

Sorry it wasn't clear!

I have bought th cold frame, in a quick rash decision to get on with gardening! However, it would not be an issue to pass it on to the father in law for his garden if a blow away would be a better option :-)