Grow Your Own Magazine

I read nothing but bad things about them, it's really the only suitable thing for my small (completely paved) garden where everything is in containers.

Apart from the obvious danger of them blowing away I've heard the plastic can go brittle and break? (how long will it last?)

The condensation is really bad inside it, I open it up every day for a bit and leave it open on reasonable weather days but it's nearly always soaking wet inside - particularly now with all the rain making the outside colder.

I'm basically hoping someone will reassure me that it can last for a couple of years and won't just rot away or anything!

ours has lasted over 18 months but think we will replace plastic next year, we just keep it open in the summer, I like it.

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Yo an' Bob
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Everything you say,Dan1979. Mine was new last year, and the plastic cover is starting to come apart at the seems. They are useful, but I suspect if you get 2 years out of them, you're doing well.

I like mine (x2) too. They are not very substantial, but what the heck, only cost £9. Have been invaluable for putting just outside the back door to house peppers and aubs in the daytime in early spring. When the plastic disintegrates, I will probably use the frames with netting or fleece so can't complain so far. We had some pretty heavy weather and winds on Wednesday and both mini greenhouses stayed put - they weren't even weighted down...

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when the plastic goes, the frame covered with netting does make a good mini cage for your strawberries

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I keep mine inside my main greenhouse (for early tender toms and peppers/B lizzies etc) and remove and store plastic in a cool dark place in May.
3 years old and going strong.

Never had a plastic greenhouse, but I find fleece wrapped round canes, like above, gives a fair bit of protection.

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From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

and the growbag style ones make great winter squash storage racks in the garage.

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£9 !!! Muckdiva, tell me where I can get them for 9 pound.
I agree, they make an excelent addition to a greenhouse.

Try Wilkinsons terrier. Bernie

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Had to laugh wilkinsons have started selling the covers on there own now. I presume thats because they are virtually imposible to put on without them falling to bits.

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Belgrave-allotments.co.uk

I have had one of the realy small one for potting seedling in I have had it since before I met Mrs D and that was 7 years ago
just this year had to put some gaffer tape on the top where the plastc tuches the frame
though it wont zip up now cos i have never tuck the cover of so the zip has rusted it has just been left in the yard
wonder if i can get a refund

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In the past week I've found two small tears where the zipped front part has come away from the side.

It's really poorly made as it should have had some sort of double stitching on that part - I have been careful with it. Superglue has patched it up for the time being.

I have been interested in getting one since they first appeared, but was skeptical. A friend has had success using hers inside an unheated greenhouse, so I thought I might try that.

My garden is terribly windy and I wonder whether it would stand a chance outdoors.

I see that Harrod Horticultural sell a covered seed tray rack (looks similar to the mini-greenhouses) about which they say:

You buy all the bits separately or as a kit - a three tier rack with cover is £57.


Not as cheap as £9, but I would hope it's more sturdy!

You sure that's not a cover on your motorbike?

I have a wooden one with plastic windows, really it is in an upright coldframe but even after two years the plastic is blowing out and even with wood protection, the thing is rotting. So, I considered the plastic ones but I'm thinking now that I might build my own - anyone got any plans for a small upright greenhouse, maximum of 2' deep.

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Andrewo
Harbinger of Rhubarb tales