With the weather starting to get a bit milder, many green-fingered Brits are turning their attention back to their garden. It’s a great time to start thinking about planting some vegetables for a successful summer bounty, and we’ve spotted a growhouse at Christow that’s ideal for allotments or smaller gardens – and it’s currently on sale.
This tomato growhouse normally retails for £59.99 at Christow but has been discounted to £34.99. It’s designed specifically for growing tomatoes, and Christow says it’s also great for other plants that need lots of light, warmth and height to grow, like courgettes and peppers.
It’s 150cm tall, but quite compact, measuring W40cm x D100cm, which the retailer says fits a standard tomato grow bag. This makes it great for those with a smaller garden or allotment, and could work well on a balcony. If you have a little more space, Christow also sells a double growhouse for £44.99, which is big enough for two grow bags and is also on sale (down from £69.99).
If you are planning on growing tomatoes from seed, you’re just in time, as the Royal Horticultural Society says the best time to sow them is between February and April.
On its website, the RHS explained: “Sow from late February to mid-March if you’ll be growing your crop in a greenhouse, or from late March to early April if they’ll be outside.
“Seeds need a temperature of about 18C (64F) to germinate, so use a heated propagator or place on a warm windowsill and cover with a clear plastic bag to maintain humidity. As soon as seedlings appear – usually within a fortnight – uncover and place in as much light as possible, to prevent them growing thin and leggy.”
If you are starting off with small plants, it is recommended to plant them in early summer, between May and June. The RHS says they are ready to plant “once temperatures are reliably above 16C (60F). You can plant them in large containers or growing bags, in a greenhouse or outdoors, or in the ground. To grow outdoors, choose a really warm, sunny, sheltered location.”
The grow house is made from a white mesh designed to block out less sunlight than the standard green, ensuring plants get enough light to grow. One shopper pointed out it looks better, too, saying: “Bought to replace a similar green one. This went together really easily and looks nicer than the green versions.”
The mesh is sandwiched between two layers of polyethene, which Christow says makes it stronger than a PVC cover. It also comes with pegs, loops and guy ropes that can be used to secure the cover to the ground to keep it from blowing away. The growhouse also has a roll-up door with zips on either side and clips on top that allow gardeners to keep the door open. Inside, it has metal eyelets that can support vertical and horizontal canes to support plants as they grow taller.
One shopper said they were “very impressed” with the growhouse, saying: “This is a really good quality product. It has clips to hold up the door when open rather than ties that just slip open. Also, ground pegs and string so it won’t get blown over on rainy days.”
Another wrote: “Bought to give my tomato plants some extra protection from the cooler weather we’re having. Plants are in situ, and the atmosphere inside is perfect – humid and warm, and the cover lets in loads of light whilst shading the plants in strong sunshine.”
A third review said: “Good price, looks stylish and stood up to windy days, thanks to guidelines. Zip and tie back work a treat, and I especially like the holes for cane supports.”
Christow says no tools are needed to put the growhouse together, as the frame is made up of steel poles and plastic connectors that slot together without needing any nuts and bolts. The cover also has 12 fabric ties to secure it to the poles.
Another shopper said: “A great price and a sturdy growhouse for tomato plants – holds a growbag large enough for three growbag pots and plants. Easy to erect and good quality materials used in its construction.”
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