if I get a greenhouse...

[janeyo]

and don't heat it is it doing exactly the same job as my coldframe?

Is there any need for both if both are unheated?

Is one of those tall roll up greenhouse things just like a coldframe too or different?

OH is telling me I can have a greenhouse, but want to make sure it will be useful this time of year when things are warming up a little, as I already have a coldframe.

Thanks for any opinions, janeyo

[brooklynodog]

I am sure more knowledgable folk will comment and correct me if necesary, but I feel its about the volume inside of each item. A greenhouse will warm up and stay warm longer than a frame, which is why we use them for hardening off.

[mrdinkle]

Until this year I only had a small plastic coldframe, which was ok for bringing things on. But with the bad weather last year all my tomatoes, aubergines and peppers lived outside and the crops were cr@p.

This year my toms, peppers,chilli's,aubergines will all be treated to a greenhouse environment so I am hopeful that I will get a better crop.

Also, I have more space to bring stuff on.

If your OH is offering it up, bite the hand off. You could always invest in a heater for it next year

[Alison]

I find my greenhouse far more use than my cold frame, just think of all the toms, peppers etc that you can grow in there in the summer months which just wouldn't fit in the cold frame. In addition, you can easily provide auto vents, shading, insulation etc as required at different times of year. I would agree that some of the small plastic ones aren't that much different to a frame but a proper (even small) greenhouse is an absolute boon - get the biggest one you can afford / fit as you'll soon fill it!

[Cutecumber]

The amount of space and height in a greenhouse is the first benefit, and, as the others have said, a greenhouse will normally keep warmer than the coldframe. It offers you a lot more flexibility.

If someone offered to buy me a greenhouse (or a bigger greenhouse in my case) I would bite their arm off!!