Top positive review
Cheap & Gets the Job Done
By Katie on Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2019
For $30, I really didn't expect much, but knew a friend of mine who had one for a few years on her patio and loved it. When I got it, it took me about 20 minutes to put together. Its metal poles with plastic shelf frames, and a metal grate that sits on top of each shelf. One of the metal poles was misshapen, but I just used a pair or pliers to reshape it into a circle and it was fine. The metal grate doesn't sit perfectly flat, but with a little shaping and maneuvering they were just fine. The plastic sheath on top seems to be decent quality - doesn't feel like its going to rip any time soon, and the whole thing feels relatively sturdy. I put heavier items on the bottom to weigh it down and also put one of my patio chairs up against it just in case there was some wind. It feels very warm in there when I reach in to water my seedlings - so its obviously working! My plan is to use this for starters in the spring, then use it with grow lamps in the basement in winter for herbs and greens. Overall - highly recommend if you're looking for something cheap, small, easy to put together and don't mind messing with it a little bit to make it work perfectly. I didn't want to make a big investment since I rent and have a very small garden - so this was perfect for me!
Top critical review
89 people found this helpful
I like it but there are big issues
By Ed - SI on Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2021
I can see the 5 star & the 1 star ratings as being valid. I see many had great results & some not. I can see reasons for both. Assembly was easy. Just put narrow ends on floor, put in pipe Then put other ends on top. Then stand up and put on top. The plastic covering was OK - I liked it. For me all went well at first. Then when I started putting in the seed trays with peat I noticed a lean. I removed all items and checked. The pipes were loose so I re installed them. After that I put in seed trays and added water. I noticed a lean again. That really concerned me. I removed everything again and checked the bar into the end condition. I noticed bar slippage again. Here is what I did. I used a medium wire. I put the wire on the front & back posts lower ends- then the front. This was to prevent sliding out and to maintain firmness. Then I tightened the wire to make a snug fit. The wire did eliminate the slide out situation. Once in place do not move it - I mean even empty. Then I noticed it still leaned. I took more wire and made an "X" brace on the back. Top left to bottom right. Then the same for the other side in back. It worked on the back lean. I may also brace the narrow sides. One could also "U" bracket the back bars to a thin plywood. That would do it. The front is a concern. The seller states " Each shelf holds up to 20 pounds" Then " and uses two removable panels to accommodate larger potted plants. I would not try 20 pounds per shelf and anything large or heavy unless on a lower to bottom shelf. The plastic ends seemed to be too light and similar to the 24' unit I had last year. Suggest manufacturer make sturdier & wider end plastic frame pieces. Then maybe have the pipe entry points a little longer to hold the pipes better. This is the main issue. The plastic ends are too narrow to properly hold the that length of pipes securely. The units bars seem the same gauge as a smaller 24" one I bought last year. These are longer and thus maybe should be a little stronger because of length. The wire shelf seem to do the job. The plastic clips were unique. It is a nice unit and to those with issues or concerns give thought to what I did if you have issues. The issue probably will be stress issues on the long side. Last thing I cut the box to use over the shelves. It is to insulate for heating pads & disperse the weight stress a little. Last item. I notice some have wind issues. Outside the wide end is like a sail. Best to secure unit on the long side by a fence type thing that can secure both ends. I figured I got a lemon of sorts. Forgive me on presentation details etc. but I'm busy, but this lean thing worried me a lot for others with kids. In time there could be issues. I just do not know your circumstance but mine concerned me. Thanks, Ed
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