I watched Inception at the weekend. For anyone unfamiliar with the movie, it's an impressively shot tale in which there are dreams, within dreams, within dreams and being able to tell what is reality and what is merely your subconscious is tricky.
Well, not that tricky really. I think I've sussed it. Look at the windowsills. If it's a dream, these will be elegant affairs with a few well chosen objects on display. If it's reality, they will be overun with such a mountain of detritus that just the thought of trying to clear them will bring you out in a cold sweat.
At this time of year mine are usually in a particularly dire state. Not only is there the usual melange of invitations, cards, photos and confiscated Nintendo DS' but also at least half a dozen different sowings from tomatoes to beans, fighting for light and life.
Not this year. Oh no, because I have a greenhouse (and yes, I am able to work this statement into almost any situation). However, I realise not everyone has the space, inclination or sheer luck to get their hands on one of these, so I've also been testing out a mini greenhouse.
This one, from Homebase, is offcially called a '2 Tier Grow Rack' and, if I'm honest, I wasn't expecting great things. First of all it's very inexpensive (it was £20.49 and is now reduced to £13.49) and my father's adage of 'buy cheap, buy twice' came to mind. But getting it out of the box, it felt reasonably strong. It was also very easy to put together with all the poles labelled. It would only take a normal person about five minutes (or 10 minutes for someone who fails to read the instructions and is simultaneously juggling a mug of tea and flapjack). The only tricky bits were the mesh grill shelves which initially pinged off whenever I tried to attach them onto the framework although they eventually behaved themselves.
When constructed you have a two-shelf structure and cover with enough height to grow on some good sized plants and best of all, the strength and space to hold 12 seed trays (which should equate to at least three clear windowsills).
Also, the mini greenhouse is perfect for children with everything being at their height and the front section unzipping easily to allow for watering and ventilation.
It does need siting somewhere relatively sheltered as it's not anchored to the ground and wouldn't hold it's own in strong winds. We popped ours against a wall in our side passage which worked perfectly.
If you fancy messing with your mind and creating some Inception style clear windowsills of your own, I have two of these mini greenhouses to give away. All you need to do is leave a comment below and I'll draw a name from a hat in a week... probably whilst standing in my greenhouse (see, I told you I could work it into any situation).
Oooh the possibilities of having my windowsills back! Can't resist posting and entering!
Posted by: Liz turner | April 18, 2011 at 02:59 PM
I'd love those mini-greenhouses!
Posted by: Diana Barker | April 18, 2011 at 04:45 PM
No need to enter me, I have a new-to-me greenhouse too, and I've been working that into every conversation lately too. But even with it, my windowsills are still covered with seedlings. I think I have a problem :)
Posted by: Nikki @ NotTheBlandings | April 19, 2011 at 05:41 AM
A mini greenhouse for my mini girl...she would be SO excited!
Posted by: Rachel Priday | April 19, 2011 at 08:22 AM
Brilliant to have a greenhouse - there are so many small ones, everyone can make the space. Just put a pic of my greenhouse on my blog - http://greenfingersmum.blogspot.com
Posted by: greenfingersmum | April 19, 2011 at 09:57 AM
Please enter me into your contest!
Inception left me very, very confused indeed!
Posted by: Claire | April 19, 2011 at 10:16 PM
Its very cute.Small children will definitely love it.It will inspire them to work in garden.Lovely piece.....
Posted by: magento themes | April 20, 2011 at 06:26 AM
Hi Dawn,
My first comment on your blog. Don't put me into the draw as I have a greenhouse. What I would like to say is that these things are a very cheap way of putting shelving into a normal greenhouse (without the cover). I have three taller sets bought from Wilko three years ago and they are still going strong. Only downside is that the spare covers are cluttering up my garage....
Posted by: Lucie | April 20, 2011 at 07:23 AM
Well i'm trying to get myself motivated to start cultivating my green finger and involving my little girls, 4 and 2. I can just see the spot where I would love to put this green house! Love your blog btw.
Karen
Posted by: Karen | April 20, 2011 at 10:46 AM
I've been meaning to buy one of these for a few weeks now. Fingers crossed I win one!
Posted by: Emma @ Notsuchayummymummy | April 20, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Lucie, what a brilliant idea! It always baffles me how much greenhouse staging costs.
I am greenhouse-less while we rent, and I have used a similar type of minigreenhouse. They are a wonderful option (great tomatoes and cucumbers last year) BUT they are prone to being blown over by gusts of wind.
To avoid the heartbreaking experience of having to sweep up all your pots of seedlings or a bent mature tomato plant (alas I speak from experience on both counts) weigh the bottom struts down with something heavy. I remove the lower grid/shelf, squish a growbag along the bottom, resting it over the lower struts and that seems to anchor the structure OK.
Posted by: WT Softie | April 21, 2011 at 09:20 AM
Inception is nothing short of a masterpiece. This greenhouse looks like it is of equal quality, but with plants. Oh the possibilities!
Posted by: Garden Planner | April 21, 2011 at 02:11 PM
No need to enter me as I now have 3 of the 4 tier versions bought very cheap at the end of last season. I have them on my gravel paths and have driven an iron rod into the ground which hooks over one of the tiers. They'll never move (I hope) - I have seen various blogs with scattered greenhouses after a storm! Great giveaway at this time of year when space becomes a premium.
Posted by: Damo | April 22, 2011 at 09:17 AM
Hi Dawn, Hope I'm not too late to enter, not for me (I already have a greenhouse), but for our pre-school nursery garden. I started watching Inception but totally lost the plot and ended up in a darkened room with a cold flannelover my head in a vain attempt to stop my brain exploding!
Posted by: Louise Murray | April 22, 2011 at 02:57 PM
Got to your page by searching for Inception reviews, but I'm glad I got to check out your blog. I love gardening, and I would love to have a mini greenhouse for my yard. Unfortunately, I'm in the US, so I probably can't enter your giveaway. Nonetheless, I'm enjoying your blog :)
Posted by: MC | April 22, 2011 at 10:05 PM
Hi
Just wanted to say congratulations and let you know that your blog has been nominated in the MAD Blog Awards for UK parent blogs.
If you’d like to find out more about the awards and the prizes on offer, then head over to www.the-mads.com.
We will be publishing details of all the nominees in all the categories on Monday morning, and nominations are open until 5pm that day – so if you’d like to take part, make sure you encourage all your friends, family and readers to keep nominating!
Best of luck and well done on your nomination.
Sally
The MAD Blog Awards
Posted by: Sally Whittle | April 24, 2011 at 06:05 PM