English cold frame bell

The history of the garden or cold frame bell dates back to the 17th century. The English term "garden cloche" suggests this: Protective devices of this type for the vegetable patch, usually made of glass and actually shaped like bells, were found in French gardens long before they were popular on the other side of the English Channel. Because "cloche" is the French word for bell. The glass plant bells could be placed over individual plants to protect them from the wind, cold and pests, while at the same time capturing the warmth of the low sun early in the gardening season. The "garden cloches" experienced a surge in popularity in the 19th century. It is hard to imagine English kitchen gardens of the Victorian era without garden cloches, as gardeners on the island soon recognized the advantages and benefits of this type of plant protection. After all, it meant that the start of the harvest season for salads and herbs could be brought forward. Early bed bells were soon available in all shapes and sizes.

Our model is based on a historical example from this phase of garden history. In the style of a classic English greenhouse, the frame and top cover are made of galvanized, powder-coated and painted cast iron to protect them from the weather. The hand-cut and carefully framed glass panes are made of window glass. The cold frame comes to you well packed from Bath and is delivered in five parts. The four side parts of the frame can be easily joined together using fastening clips to form a square that covers a larger area. The pyramid-shaped lid is ready-built and is simply placed on top - even over the corner if you want to ventilate your lettuces, herbs and young plants in strong sunlight. Despite its weight, our cold frame can still be moved around the garden and moved to a different place in the vegetable patch, depending on which of your green protégés need a little more care and attention. Perhaps your garden is located on the edge of a forest or close to fields and meadows - in this case, the cold frame will also protect your vegetable plants from damage caused not only by snails, but also by rabbits and deer.