Plastic covers for mini greenhouses - grrrrr

Started by MattD, March 09, 2008, 18:24:34

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MattD

Does anyone else have an absolute nightmare with the plastic cover for their mini greenhouse planter thingy?

I've got one from last year which I kept carefully over winter but it seems to have shrunk.  I warmed it up before trying to fit it in the hope it might stretch a bit, but no luck.

It's replacement one, but even the original had the same problem.  They dont ever seem to fit and when you try to pull them round the front they come apart by the zip or around the seams.

It's getting to the point where I'm tempted to take the thing apart and saw an inch off each of the tubes to make it smaller.

Is there something I'm missing?

Matt


MattD


artichoke

Totally agree. Mine blew to shreds last autumn, and I've mended it with transparent duct tape, but there is no hope of the zips meeting, so I have to fasten the front down with stretchy hooks (or whatever they are officially called) which is a nuisance.

posie

I had the same problem with my 6 x 4 greenhouse and then the wind got in it through the broken zip, despite the duct tape and it died a horrible death.  Won't be bothering again with one to be honest.
What I lack in ability and experience, I make up for in sheer enthusiasm!!!

kenkew

I had to tap my tubes together to get them to fit right into the sockets. A hammer at one end as a weight, another one to tap the opposite end. I gained just enough to get the cover to fit.
Failing that, a touch off the lengths would be the best option.

caseylee


caroline7758

I see Wilko's also have plastic coldframes for £6.99. I thought these might be less prone to blowing away if you can find a sheltered spot?

Robert_Brenchley

Put the thing on its side, and bang it where the laterals join the sides. Get them rammed well in, and a lot of the problem will disappear.

caseylee

I gave up with my plastic greenhouse, I took the covers off dismantled it and rebuilt it as three sets of stands for my greenhouse ( had three plastic greenhouse's)  never looked back, they were forever falling over or the plastic ripping, so now I am happy with my stands. 

dtw

I'm going to have to replace my 6x4 plastic covered greenhouse cover,
as one of the zips has failed and the other is on the way out.
The wind is also ripping it to pieces.
I've put some polycarbonate sheeting on the inside of the roof to
keep the rain out.

I may have to pop over to Aldi or Lidl and see if they've got another.

DenBee

#9
Don't make a special trip on my say-so, but I do remember that last year Homebase had the 6'x4' greenhouse covers in stock for £9.99.  But as I say, do NOT go there without checking first.  I'd feel terribly guilty if when you got there the shelves were bare!  :o   :)
Tread softly, for you tread on my greens.

dtw

They don't have the covers by themselves, but they do have the greenhouses for £49.99
http://www.homebase.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?langId=-1&storeId=20001&partNumber=7201998&Trail=searchtext%3EGREENHOUSE
I paid £30 for mine 2 years ago in Lidl.
I can hear it flapping around in the wind, calling for me to buy a new one, maybe...

I'll leave it until the storms have passed (and see if I can get it cheaper elsewhere).



dtw

#11
I went to homebase today to see if they had the greenhouses in stock and found the covers for £12.99.  :D

So, they do them in store, but not on the 'net.

I'll replace it after the storms have subsided, and take it off over the winter to prevent wind damage.


If you didn't have a greenhouse, this could be an easy way of making one,
knock up a frame and stick one of these covers on. :)

DenBee

Glad you got one, but isn't inflation shocking!  :o  I'm positive I saw them there for a tenner only a year or so ago.

OH dismantled my polythene greenhouse about a year and a half ago.  Sadly the plastic frame was too wrecked to rebuild.
Tread softly, for you tread on my greens.

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