Gardening / Tool Box: Shedding light on the frame

'WHAT sort of equipment do professional gardeners buy?' is a good question. Stuart Gilham, the eternally enthusiastic character who spends several hours a week at Tool Box Towers, has just lavished pounds 499 on a big cold frame from Access Garden Products.

It has an aluminium skeleton, 16ft long by 4ft wide, sliding glass panels and a watering system that has earned high marks for overall efficiency. And it is better ventilated, more convenient and far lighter - in both senses of the word - than the traditional, timber-sided frame that occupies another part of the garden and costs about pounds 100.

'Assemb ly was quite difficult and frustrating until we correctly identified the components,' says Mr Gilham. 'Getting it all together took two of us about six hours. A few small items were missing, but we called the maker's help-desk midway through the afternoon and the bits were delivered next morning. It's early days yet, but I'm very impressed. I was tempted to go for the laminated-glass option, but that would have added too much to the cost.'

The range of frames start with one that is 4ft square and costs pounds 179. Prices include delivery throughout England, Wales and southern Scotland.

Access Garden Products, Crick, Northampton NN6 7XS (0788 822301).