Mini greenhouse with plastic cover

Posts

• Mr. Vine Eye Posts: 2,394

  December 2018

  Oh I should say I wouldn't be using it to grow anything too exotic and tender in. I'm wanting to grow Hardy plants that I'm not going to have to replace constantly or be transplanting every year.
  
  Just fancy having somewhere slug/bird free but out of the house where I can try growing some plants from seed or cuttings.

  East Yorkshire

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• Fairygirl Posts: 55,117

  December 2018

  They're fine for that until the wind gets them, MrVE. You really need to anchor them well. I used to tie washing line round mine and then fix it to the wall or fence.
  I gave up on them when the wind caught it where there was a little tear, and hoiked the entire cover off over the top
  I bit the bullet and bought a more sturdy one. 
  If you have it somewhere sheltered enough, they're fine for what you need, but the covers don't last more than a year or two at best, although you can get replacements for them too. 

  It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....
  
  
  
  I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...

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• hogweed Posts: 4,053

  December 2018

  What about a cold frame instead. You can use it just as a mini greenhouse but better looking.

  'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement' - Helen Keller

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• JoeX Posts: 1,783

  December 2018

  Mr. Vine Eye said:

  Hi I've been looking at things for the garden to spend my Christmas/Birthday money on and I was wondering about these mini greenhouses that are a frame with a PVC cover.
  
  I fancy using one for growing seeds and seedlings in as I don't really have space to do this inside the house and only have a small garden. Hopefully could use it for hardening off and growing cuttings etc.
  
  Previous owners had put a proper greenhouse in but I removed it as I didn't think it worth keeping something that took up a such a large proportion of the planting space when I could use that space for plants!
  
  But one of these would sit nicely just under the kitchen window on our patio next to the water butt. Sheltered spot, East facing - It would be relatively easy for me to put a hook or vine eye into the wall to attach it to as well.
  
  Are these any use in people's experience? 
  
  Ive been looking at the two they sell at Wilko as these are now back on sale and they're just about the perfect size for the space.
  

  
  Im only 18 months into gardening.
  
  I got one because it was small, cheap and easy to pack away when not needed.  It scored well on all those counts
  
  I had my first go at growing things from seed with it.  Nasturtiums did well, 1000 poppy seeds didn’t show one, and about 50% of sweet peas made it.  All did so much better once in the ground I suspect I tried too early with the mini greenhouse.
  
  Ive put a few softwood and hardwood cuttings in; the first batch were all stolen by wildlife, second batch aren’t looking too good.
  
  Perhaps a more skilled gardener could be more productive, or need more space for their volumes of seedlings, but for me and my low bar for success I think it’s been okay.

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• Lyn Posts: 23,190

  December 2018

  I couldn’t be without mine, I’ve also got a tomato gro house, useless for tomato growing but good with a shelf unit inside.
  In the Spring I use them once I’ve pricked out my seeds, no need then to have to harden off, just zip up at nights. 
  Tie to a wall or fence and you need to do this from the top, just on the fittings.
  if you are careful the covers will last about 3 years, I have some older.
  The best gro house I have was from Wilco, much wider, very cheap but good quality, the covers are very substantial. 

  Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 
  
  

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• Rose121 Posts: 132

  December 2018

  I've just picked up an ehlo grow table for similar reasons - somewhere covered to start out seedlings, but also doubles as a raised vegetable bed, so it has multiple uses! And nice and sturdy.

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• purplerallim Posts: 5,287

  January 2019

  Only had one of those wilko ones as had small garden. Started trays of seeds inside, then into greenhouse as the spring warmed up. All bedding plug plants I bought were grown on in it and in early May the tomatoes went in till late September . Was very useful. Just tie it down well.😁
  

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• Valley Gardener Posts: 2,851

  January 2019

  I've had a whole gardening year using my little one from Wilco,and it has been great.Like you, I just have a small garden,which wouldn't justify a proper green house.This is the first garden I've had without one! 
  But it's been fine for hardening off,and storing bits and bobs.
  I've weighted mine on the bottom with house bricks.

  The whole truth is an instrument that can only be played by an expert.

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• JoeX Posts: 1,783

  January 2019

  Valley Gardener said:

  .
  I've weighted mine on the bottom with house bricks.

  Great idea!

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• Kitty 2 Posts: 5,150

  January 2019

  I've had many plastic "blowaways" over the years in various sizes. I've found the Wilko ones with an embedded mesh have been the best for weathering the seasons, the clear plastic cover ones disintegrated very quickly.
  
  Yes tie it down, strap it up, put bricks/bag of compost on the bottom shelf for stability. I learnt my lesson early on after finding all my carefully nurtured seed trays smashed up on the patio one morning 😩.
  
  Like a cold frame they are good for hardy seed sowing, growing on plug plants and hardening off small plants in spring.
  Condensation can be an issue, so remember to open it up regularly on fine days for ventilation.
  
  I currently have the 6x4 walk in one from Wilko which has been great. Still standing since 2015.
  Dreaming of getting a 'proper greenhouse' someday 🌱🌱🌱😉

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