Readymade "coldframe growhouse" for use on a 4ft square bed...

[cazp]

I stumbled across a ready made heavy duty "coldframe growhouse" at greatgardensonline.com, the size of which appears to exactly fit the internal dimensions of my raised beds (4ft square). It is 60cm high at highest point, and looks to be about 30cm around edges from the photo. Its only £20 so I am sure cheaper than making a cloche on a frame than I had originally planned...

Would be interested to hear from anyone who has used this product (or similar) before for raised beds, or any opinions.

Many thanks!

[bearded bloke]

This one .. GreatGardensOnline Cold Frame Growhouse GGOMINIG6 .. ? Wyevale do a similar one but its rectangular

[cazp]

Yes thats the one! what do you think?

[bearded bloke]

Got a wyevale one currently covering some spuds in tubs,easy to assemble but it is very lightweight structure will deffo need securing to some kind of base,before becoming a blowaway.

[cazp]

thanks for the tip!

[Two_Sheds]

Caz, what do you want your frame/cloche to do? What crops will you be protecting? I'm just thinking that plastic might not be the best choice for your needs (net or fleece might be better)

[cazp]

Hi
I am planting some garlic and broad beans shortly to harvest early next year - I understand I dont need to cover them over-winter (only early next year when they start to shoot presumably?). Early next year I plan on either sowing seeds, or planting out young plants started off indoors, if french beans, carrrots, beetroot, salad leaves, for example. In the past I have always grown in pots so raised bed garding is new to me... it would be nice to have some kind of cover I can easily pop over the whole bed as required.

[Two_Sheds]

Garlic and broadies are totally hardy and don't need any cover at any time

You could use the plastic cover as a hardening off tent for tender crops like French beans, or for warming the soil early in the season for carrot sowing.

tbh, I'd save my £20 if it was me ~ it won't last long if you have any kind of windy

[cazp]

... thanks for the advice as ever. I think I will stick to fleece early next year if needed (as I have done with pots in the past).