Plastic Greenhouses........

[suey]

Hello
Although I have dabbled in the garden for a few years, usually buying plants from garden centres etc, I would like to branch out into growing from seed.
My garden is a little on the small size, but I am interested in having a plastic greenhouse, maybe one you can walk into. My question is, do they work and when can I start using them. On seeds packets that say sowing from indoors, does that mean you can sow them in trays in the greenhouse or has to be in the house first as it is warmer. If so can someone tell me when can start sowing in the greenhouse,
sorry for long post

suey

[Pumpkin Becki]

I have a plastic green house against a south facing wall, and it's fantastic a bit later in the season when you've got trays and trays of seedlings. It's not a walk in one but nevertheless is very practical.

I treat it a bit like a coldframe, so I sew into seed trays or modules and have them on my windowsills indoors, then I gradually acclimatise them over a couple of weeks to being in the plastic greenhouse until they are ready to plant out.

I do like to leave mine open on warm days so that it doesn't get to humid (this helps keep pests and diseases down), but remember to close it again at night in case of frost.

Last year I did start things off a bit earlier in it, so I got some wide bubblewrap and tucked it underneath the plastic cover for extra insulation.

Mine has removeable shelves, and I reckon you could probably grow tomatoes, peppers or cucumbers in there later in the season once all your seed trays have been removed.

[shirlthegirl43]

Hi and welcome to the vine suey.

I had one of those plastic greenhouses - 6 x 4 foot. It was a brilliant introduction to greenhouse growing.

I would however suggest you don't bother putting one up until the windiest part of the spring in your area has passed. They don't hold up well in strong winds and you really have to secure them well to a fence or similar structure. I think I put mine up in April and I had already started seeds in the house that year.

[BrideXIII]

do they work, yes they do, i have two, bodged together to make one big one, and yes if it says sow indoors you must start them off indoors in the warm before hardening them off in the greenhouse, you cant heat a plastic greenhouse like you can a 'real' one.

do make sure however it is REALLY securely fixed down, the winds can demolish them., I have taped every joint, and have mine fixed to metal spikes driven a foot into the ground, and it has survived the winter with no problems...........so far, touch wood.

total cost, for two and bodging tape £80.
spare covers available from b&q and online from £10 to £18 depending on type.

i still hope to invest in a polycarbonate one this year, but if i can't afford it, i will be happy to carry on with my plastic ones

[Pumpkin Becki]

Its a good point - mine is quite sheltered, and I also put four or five bricks on the bottom shelf for extra anchoring.

[tootles]

I had a plastic greenhouse - until the weekend...........
There are lots of posts on here about greenhouses that have ended up a long way from home.
If your garden is very sheltered it is probably not a bad idea, if not, I would consider very carefully. The other problem (I found) was that the ones with a greenish tinge to the plastic didn't let in enough light and seedlings tended towards the leggy side.
They are can be good place to start though as a 'proper' one can cost £100s

[Two_Sheds]

Just as Shirl says: a waste of time if your garden is windy. I've gone through 4 of the £10 ones (the plastic tears after one season) and just use the shelves as staging now.

I have one remaining plastic greenhouse... a slightly tougher one £17 from Homebase. It is still up, although it has been thrown round the garden by the winter gales and I lost some plants.

It is great for raising plants from seed though .. lots of vertical space. Just wait until it's warm enough. I won't start sowing onions until Feb, and most other things in March & April.
If you're not sure, check the germination temps on the back of your seed packets.

[suey]

Thanks for all your replies, I cant wait to get started, I wll be back for more advice soon

suey