plastic fantastic?

[raine]

Hi all, earlier on I asked a question about seed growing and a greenhouse was mentioned. At the time it brought to mind a lovely proper glass thingy like I see in the T.V but thinking about it- i have got a b&q plastic three shelf thing- would this do the trick do you think?( i inherited it from next door and at the moment it's just a store for gardening junk! )If so has anyone got any tips for mending the plastic as it's all ripped aroung the zip and is it any good if it's not heated?
Also I wondered if there are any grapes out there on woodford /south woodford plots as it would be great to know how they're getting on.
sorry to sound so daft but if you don't ask you never learn do you?
thanks Raine

[nick the grief]

Hi Raine,

Tips certainly.

1. Put it up against a south facing fence or a shed - it will help keep it warmer as there isn't a lot of air vulume in there to keep it stable
2. If you can put a couple of slabs on the bottom shelf as this will help keep it stable as there isn't a lot of weight in them.
3. If you look around you can get a coldframe heater for about £20 and will run for 14 days on 3 or 4 pints of parafin - thats if it actually gets cold.

[dexterdoglancashire]

Hi Raine - that's what I started with at the beginning of the year - I sowed all my seeds and put them in my little plastic greenhouse and had no problems whatsoever!
I'm lucky enough now to have a proper glass greenhouse, but am currently using the plastic ones (got a couple more a few weeks ago) to keep my garlic and onions in pots nice and warm in the main greenhouse over winter. Dexterdog

[shirlthegirl43]

Hi Raine - that's what I started with at the beginning of the year - I sowed all my seeds and put them in my little plastic greenhouse and had no problems whatsoever!
I'm lucky enough now to have a proper glass greenhouse, but am currently using the plastic ones (got a couple more a few weeks ago) to keep my garlic and onions in pots nice and warm in the main greenhouse over winter. Dexterdog

Hi DDL, I could well be wrong, but I thought the garlic had to be out in the cold to make it 'split' into cloves?

[nick the grief]

Nope your right Shirl. It helps to kick the spliting process off

[shirlthegirl43]

Nope your right Shirl. It helps to kick the spliting process off

WAHEY - I am learning stuff!!! Brilliant!!!

[kirsty b]

Hi Raine
If you shop around you may be able to find replacement covers. I can't remember offhand where to get them and how much they are, but I don't think they're ridiculously expensive.

Kirsty

[raine]

thanks for all the replies- thanks also nick for those practical tips, I'll have a go as soon as poss. Must admit i thought a parrafin heater would melt plastic-shows how new I am to this All I need now are ideas as to what i can put in it-any suggestions dexterdog?
Thanks all
raine

[Alice]

Plastic mini greenhouse

This site could be useful to you Raine
Plastic mini greenhouse with 2 covers

[rustylady]

Those 3 shelf plastic thingys are really useful and cheap. However, I've found that the fittings get very brittle and snap. I had two, one is still in use with a replacement cover from QD, the other is now staging in the main greenhouse and getting smaller every time something snaps. I don't think they are big enough to warrant heating, but with the cover zipped up they do seem to keep out most of the frost. I've never lost anything yet, but I do only keep fairly hardy stuff in them over winter.

[Morty_007]

with a replacement cover from QD,

Forgive my ignorance...whats QD as I need a replacement cover. thanks

[Alison]

I use mine to help harden off seedlings, unzip the front and leave them open to the air all day and then zip up again at night to protect them from any slight late frosts A friend of mine used her's to grow tomatoes in last year with great success as it enabled her to protect them a bit at night - you would have to be a bit careful in hot weather though to ensure that you open it up otherwise the plant would overheat and suffer from a lack of ventilation.

[STeALtH]

Might be of use Morty, seem pretty cheap here depending on dimensions....?

Cheap Plastic Covers

Regards

S

[PAULW]

Spotted in the garden centre replacement covers made by GARDMAN this firm make alsorts from plant labels to netting

[Morty_007]

Fabulous site, thanks!