[gidster]

poly tunnel, greenhouse,cold frames,clotches, think i spelt that right

what do i need? and what do they all do?

ive got some netting and im going to try and make a moveable frame for the brassicas,but  ive been told i need some clotches and a cold frame but didnt ask why

can anyone enlighten? me i have read some pages on these but its still baffling me, i would also like to know what i can sow straight into the ground and if ive got to cover it or not.

thanks.

[nobby]

read johns book all the basic info is there

[peapod]

1. polytunnel - keeps nice and cosy warm inside, so some stuff can be started off earlier, overwintered and warmer climate crops (such as sweet potatoes) can be grown here. Not vital, but is a nice addition to your growing experience
2. Greenhouse - starts seeds off early (especially if heated) and is good for warmer climate plants such as chillies and toms, cucmbers and aubergines
3. cold frames - same as above but obviously unheated, warms the ground up earlier and is useful for starting seeds
4. cloches ( ) - for putting over frost tender plants and for warming the ground up

cold frame, GH and cloches are probably most important, followed by polytunnel which is a bit of a luxury (for me anyway)

[gidster]

cheers pea pod.

think im going to build a cold frame and maybe buy a small lean to green house.

[peapod]

Cloches can simply be a plastic bottle or a jam jar placed over the seedlings if a cold night is forecast

I think youve made a very good choice there 

[gidster]

ive got a tray of spinage growing in the kitchen,they are only tiny. if i had a cold frame on the allotment would i put them in there or keep them where they are, or if i had a small green house would they be in there?

sorry im just trying to get some kind of order for how things start off and end up

cheers

[peapod]

Got to say I hate spinach, so I cant answer that one, but to hazard a guess Id wait a week or so and shove it in the GH

Popeye will be along to let you know the right answer shortly Im sure 

[Celtic Eagle]

Some spinach is pretty hardy particularly perpetual spinach or spinach beet a quick (2 weeks) harden off and then on the plot

However, summer spinach is not as tough and will need to be grown on a bit yet, a decent cold frame would help.

To be completely honest IMHO none of the units you mentioned are absolutely essential. Most things can be grown without them, they just make life a bit easier and allow plants to be started earlier.