Hi
I don't think I can stretch to buying (or building) a greenhouse just yet, but I have a conservatory and a really sunny window with radiator underneath..would these do in recreating a greenhouse?
I have looked at cold frames and those metal racks that have a plastic cover..which of those would be best for mimicking a greenhouse or do I just have to wait until I can afford the real thing?
Emma
I have a real greenhouse and a couple of the guardman walk in plastic "greenhouses".
Similar to this:
http://www.diytools.co.uk/diy/Main/Product.asp?iProductID=4373
I find these very good indeed for a cheap altnative and produce loads of tomatoes, chillies, cucumbers and aubergines in them durin g the summer. I also leave one up over winter for winter salads and to use as a giant cold fram.
They are often on special offer in the spring from places such as Dyas or Sommerfield.
Jerry
I don't have a greenhouse either. I use my conservatory and it's fab, even better than a greenhouse because it's heated. But you do need to keep up with the watering in summer. Everything in my conservatory grows in teracotta pots (no growbags because I don't want wet floors), the pots dry out incredibly quickly and it's quite a chore taking everything out each morning to water and then putting it all back again, so if you plan to do the same beware of growing too much. :)
EJ manages to grow wondrous things in her conservatory - she showed us a pineapple a coupla years ago - gorgeous!
Last year was my 1st with a greenhouse & yes, it did widen the scope of toms, cukes, chillies, herbs (particularly oriental herbs) that I grew, but before that managed with outdoor varieties OK..what are you planning to grow?
I'll be looking for a cheapo plasticy g/house this year.Need to anchor the base with a paving slab, tho.Client acquired hers when it blew over the hedge from next door & the neighbour didn't want it back - when I work for her I find the 4 tiers v.useful & consider it another working surface as much as anything. How stable they are when you take out a couple of tiers to grow on something tall, tho? Dunno. Thoughts, anyone?
Hi Emma, :D
My allotment neighbours have a large one of these light framed plastic greenhouses. They put a stake inside at the corners and tied it down. Our site is very exposed to the prevailing wind but theirs never budged when other peoples were taking off in the wind. So if you`re putting it onto soil this seems to be a solution to the kite problem.
Col
I've just bought a miniature 'pop-up' greenhouse for twenty quid from the organic catalogue to see if I get on with it and to expand from my kitchen windowsill, as I've not long had my plot and there's loads of work before I could think of putting up a real one, let alone afford one. Has anyone used these before? are they a complete waste of time? At twenty quid I'm not too worried if it's not a lot of use but always value feedback :)