[Jonajo]

I have acquired a greenhouse for my plot but is it also recommended to have a coldframe in addition to this for hardening off when I do my next lot of planting next year?

[mumofstig]

Can't say whether it's recommended or not, but I manage without one, so if the cash is short don't worry.

When things need hardening off I put them out during the day and into g/h at night for a couple of weeks....this seems to do the trick

[Ivah]

I notice you don't tell us where you are. If you plant out directly from a cold greenhouse you can initially protect things with a cloche of either polythene or fleece, you gain a bit of time as while they would have been in the coldframe they are getting established in their final positions. Works best if you build the cloche a week or two before planting to warm the soil or build it over ground that has been sheeted to warm it.

[MikeyandAnnie]

I made one pretty cheaply from a pallet I got from the local garden centre.  It was the type with sides, and all I had to do was to cut the sides down in a slant and make a 2x1 inch wood frame with hinges and cover this with polythene for the lid.  I put some insulation in too.

Total cost about £20.

[Elcie]

If I had the money and the space then I would get one but I have managed perfectly this year without one.  I have the shelves (from Freecycle) from a plastic greenhouse in my garden and I use these for hardening off the plants.  They go there on sunny days early in the season and then back to the greenhouse of an evening overnight.  Worked well for me this year.