Rowlinson Hardwood Mini Greenhouse, a Review (Is it Worth the Price?)

Name of Product: Rowlinson Hardwood Mini Greenhouse

The Best Place to Buy: www.amazon.co.uk

Product Dimensions: 120 x 65 x144 cm

Shipping Weight: 27.2kg

My Rating: 9/10

In this review, I will be looking into Rowlinson hardwood Mini Greenhouse to see if it is a valuable addition to the container garden.

The problem with the UK weather is the fact that it is so unpredictable. The winters can be mild, average or bitterly cold and snowy, which make gardening difficult at this time of year.

We may cope with bad winter weather, although some of us do not know how to drive in snow, but most of us will manage. Plants, on the other hand, maybe hardy and can take a hard frost or they maybe semi-hardy, where they can take a light frost or horrors of horrors they may be tender and cannot take any form of cold at all. Frosts are not a container gardener friend, as they can not only kill plants but crack and damage terracotta pots. Not a pretty sight.

WHY USE THIS MINI GREENHOUSE?

All my avid fans will know that when I write I state if the plant is tender or not, and if it needs to be moved in order to protect the container plant from excessive bad, cold, frosty weather. It is often recommended that you move the plant pot into a conservatory –if you have the luxury of having one, many houses do not- or into a house, if you do not mind lugging heavy pots in and out of houses. Just think about this before moving it on your new carpet, as moving containers can spill compost everywhere.

You may be lucky enough to have a greenhouse but many households cannot afford and have space for a large outdoor structure. You could use horticultural fleece to wrap your precious plant, but this will only offer a minimal amount of protection (A few degree Celsius maybe). The container plant will still need protection from severe winter weather and so you will still need to move the plant to a protected area.

This is where container gardening comes into the picture where the tender plant can be moved into a protected environment.

So what is the solution?

This is where the mini-greenhouse comes into play, as you can move your plant into this wide mini-greenhouse. No need to have a conservatory or move big pots into your home. You can still wrap the plants with horticultural fleece to offer twice the protection.

If the plant in question cannot take any amount of cold, you can use a small electric heater (if you are near electrics) or a very small paraffin heater, as long as you keep it away from the wooden frame and polycarbonate glass. You do not want to set up a bonfire in your garden.

The mini greenhouse also has a dual-purpose, as during spring you can grow vegetables, herbs, and flowers in seed trays for your outdoor container garden. This will not only give to you an early start but will stop your front windowsill in your house from becoming a plant-producing factory. Not a pretty sight.

You may be thinking, why don’t I use one of those PVC covered, hollow metallic tube, mini greenhouse. Believe me that they do not work, as they are a waste of time. Firstly the light structure will blow down and away in strong winds.

If a light gale will damage them can you imagine what will happen in 60mph winds? Is it worth losing your plants for only a few bob? The PVC cover does not last long as sunlight will cause it to deteriorate over time, and almost every two years you need to buy a new cover. Does that make economic sense? It does not to me. This is why I recommend more permanent structures.

WHAT DO YOU GET WITH YOUR MINI-GREENHOUSE?

It is a flat pack, self-assemble greenhouse, which consists of 1 back panel, 1 right side panel, 1 left side panel, 2 front doors, 2 shelves, and 2 top lid doors. All the holes have been pre-drilled and only a screwdriver and hammer is the only tools that are required for assembly. This is, of course, assuming the holes have been positioned in the correct place.

This product is not recommended for those who hate flat packs. Once assembled it can be used to grow your seeds and seedlings, and to overwinter your tender container plants. The top half of the greenhouse can be used as a cold frame to allow you to harden off your seedlings.

It has adjustable slides at the top allowing the lids to be opened to varying degrees. It can be either closed, partial opened or totally open. You are in total control. Image raising your seeds and hardening them off as seedlings in the same unit. No more greenhouse and cold frame in two separate units, saving you a lot of money.

The polycarbonate sheeting is adequate, as long as you are gentle with them. No slamming of doors. If you look after the polycarbonate sheeting right it should give to you many years of use. If you accidentally break a polycarbonate sheeting it is not difficult to replace, all you need to do is order the right sized sheet.

Remember not to overload the shelves, as this can cause the plants to literal come crashing around you.

PROS

• Easy to assemble. Can be done by one person, but this will be easier if 2 people do the task.

• A lot of room for your seed, seedlings and container plants.

• The wooden structure allows the colour of the frame to be changed, as you can use any outdoor wood paint.

• Can be used to grow your tomatoes, sweet pepper, chilies, and aubergines.

• Easy to disassemble and move.

CONS

• Not too cheap

• For best protection use against a wall or near your home, as extremely winds can damage or flip the mini greenhouse.

• The door can blow open in strong winds, so it is better to add a gate latch to make it shut better and to remain shut.

• The shelving can be flimsy so it is better to add more support such as extra brackets to keep it from falling down.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUY A MINI GREENHOUSE?

I have used a mini greenhouse for many years, and my gardening season will not be complete if it is not full of seeds and seedling in spring, and with my tender plants safely protected in winter. It is one of the best that I have used, along as you add a gate latch to the front doors and support the shelving better. You will get many years’ service from this greenhouse. Just remember to look after it and treat it well.

If you want to buy one, please do so here.

If you require more information or if you have a question that you need to ask, please do so in the comment box below.

Thanks for your interest.