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Greenhouse

• Message 1. 

  Posted by michelles61 (U14849590) on Wednesday, 11th January 2012

  My OH has very kindly offered to buy me a greenhouse, so now my questions.
  when is the best time to buy one, he was hoping to buy it with his bonus in march, is this too late for starting seeds this year?
  
  What type is best, there seems to be so many types to choose from. I have a patio area to site it on which is nicely level. So poly glass, horti glass or toughened glass?
  
  Is there a particular make that you would reccommend or suggest not getting, I'm reasonably competant at putting things together so assume I will be able to put a greenhouse together.

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• Message 2

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  Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Wednesday, 11th January 2012

  You are a lucky bunny
  
  I would say that March is probably quite a good time for purchasing and an ideal time to get seeds going with a rise in temperature and light levels.
  
  As regard the glass I am not sure what is now available as I bought and erected mine about 10 years ago with horticultural glass-cost may be a factor in this.
  
  As regards type it depends on what use you are intending to put it to -is this just for seed growing and tomatoes etc,do you intend to heat it-I can say from my my own experience the basic 8 X 6 with a base suited me -there are many other size/types avaliable.
  
  Just a couple of points get the biggest one you can bearing in mind the site-and allow a weekend and a bit of bad language to erect
  
  There are many greenhouse owners on here that will I am sure have a contribution to make.
  
  Keep us updated on your new venture

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• Message 3

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  Posted by Kleftiwallah (U13700999) on Wednesday, 11th January 2012

  There are two types (I believe) of glass fixing in an alluminium greenhouse. One has coils of rubber tubing which sit in a 'C' shape cast into the frame and the other uses long pre-formed cylindrical strips of a putty like substance.
  
  I would go for the former as the latter sticks like the proverbial poop to a blanket and is the very Divil to get off should you need to replace glass. Cheers, Tony.

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• Message 4

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  Posted by jo4eyes (U13654107) on Wednesday, 11th January 2012

  If any chance of children running around near to it I'd go for polycarbonate panels, or toughened glass.
  
  The polycarbonate is lighter, so securing the whole frame to something may be required. The recent gales have moved my friends' one about. The usual panels these days are double-skin type.
  
  Toughened glass is heavy, & more expensive, but safer than normal greenhouse glass.
  
  Wooden frames are warmer, look lovely, but need maintenance. Aluminium is maintenance-free.
  
  Agree with TDC that March ideal time as in most parts of UK there is enough warmth, sometimes, & light to sow seed. Yes 6'x8' the smallest I'd want.
  
  As it'll be sat on the patio, dont forget to add in the cost of planters, the bigger the better, & compost suppies.
  
  Staging & shelves are also options that you may want to think about.
  
  Assuming the patio is sunny, there must be at least 1 opening window (in 6x8) & there are extra vent types that you can get.
  
  An electrical supply to the whole is useful, then automatic opening vents may be worth getting. A light though will allow you to continue working in there when dusk/dark.
  
  Then consider whether you are going to try heating it over the colder months & if so, by what means. If you want to overwinter tender/tropical type plants then a cold greenhouse less successful. J.
  
  

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• Message 5

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  Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Wednesday, 11th January 2012

  I might be considered biased and old fashioned but my preference is for an wooden Alton fitted with 3mm horticultural glass.
  
  I don't like polycarbonate and toughened glass is too expensive.
  
  In terms of safety luckily I have had no accidents when my own kids were growing up and I am finding it silmilar with my grandkids.
  
  I think if you have it, the kids seem to understand the dangers and tend to take care around it, at least my kids and their friends did!
  
  
  
  Over the years I have had three Altons, I currently have a 10 x 8 wooden one and a 12 x 8 aluminium one and I find the wooden one the better of the two.
  
  
  I researched them many years ago and from what I can see they have not changed very much.
  
  Pros;
  
  What I like about them is the sold concrete base that you bolt it down to.
  
  The top and bottom ventilation is brilliant and easy to use particularly if you use automatic openers on the roof lights.
  
  I have two louvred openers as well but I never use those so they are an option.
  
  With the wooden one (which is heated) I can use drawing pins to erect my winter insulation.
  
  
  Cons;
  
  With the aluminium one fitting winter insulation is more difficult and requires special clips.
  
  The glass width can be a bit of a problem if it gets broken, it is 75cm wide and is in floor to eaves pieces so if and when one breaks it can be quite expensive to replace.
  
  How I overcome this on an occasion I broke one was to replace it with three pieces meaning if it breaks again the chances are it will only be a third of the price.
  
  At one time 75cm was a standard width but now it would seem you have to have it cut to size so this can add to the cost.
  
  
  
  Note; I have a bog standard 8x6 greenhouse on the allotment where the glass is 60cm wide and this makes for cheaper replacement as this size can be bought pre cut off the shelf making it a bit cheaper.
  
  So replacement glass might be worth considering when you come to choose!
  
  
  
  
  Finally; I will give you the tip I got when I bought my first one and that was;
  
  Buy the biggest greenhouse you can afford!
  
  All too often I have heard the comment;..............I wished I had bought a bigger one when I had a chance.
  
  Of all the sizes of greenhouse I have and had I would say go for one that is at least eight foot wide, six foot can get a bit cramped.
  
  I hope you find this information useful and choose which one you buy in the end you will find that it puts a whole new dimension to gardening.
  
  
  
  

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Thursday, 12th January 2012

  Hi Michelle,
  
  Congratulations! I've been asking my OH for a bigger greenhouse for years and all I get is jewellery and gadgets! He says greenhouses are rubbish presents! They just don't listen!!!
  
  Anyhow, rant over... in answer to your question...I have polyglass. I had young children when I bought it and live in a built up area so didn't want breakages. 5 years on it's very badly scratched and I wouldn't recommend it. The light levels in the winter struggle and I've never been convinced that it worked brilliantly in the summer either. I always have great seedlings and it's fab for protecting things in the colder spells but I've never managed to grow stunning greenhouse crops in it.
  
  That may however be down to placing...We sited ours where it fit into the garden which was a big mistake as it is in shade until about 1pm. It then gets sun all day but again this may be partly to blame for the paltry tomato crops I get. If you have somewhere that is in full sun all day, site it here over where is conveniently level/has a space that it would look good. A little extra work and the right site now you will thank for years to come.
  
  All the best,
  Vixxi x

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Vixxihibiscus (U13865184) on Thursday, 12th January 2012

  and in reply to what Tee Gee said...definitely get the biggest you can afford. Once you start trying to fit peach trees, sweetcorn, tomatillos, peppers, aubergines, enough tomatoes for passata.....We're talking tardis proportions!

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• Message 8

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  Posted by mister smith (U14355936) on Friday, 13th January 2012

  A greenhouse is very much the same as a freezer or handbag. Get the very biggest that will fit. You will fill it!
  I would discuss this with OH and get £1000 from his bonus into your bank account and then do some serious planning so as to answer all your questions and get it up at your leisure and make a start for over wintering plants next November.
  Gardening is a lifetime's work and will not be rushed.
  If you try to get set up by this march you will be very disappointed.
  Take your time and good luck and put a pile of questions to this very knowledgeable panel. For instance you ask whether to go polycarbonate or glass. What about acrylic, what are your neighbours like, do they have young children who play with a ball. where is the wind coming from in relation to the greenhouse site.
  I could go on & on &on etc but you get my drift.
  SmithSouthport
  

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• Message 9

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  Posted by lilylouise (U3205282) on Friday, 13th January 2012

  I have 3 greenhouses - all aluminium - the 8 x 6 one I inherited,the 10 x 8 one I won in a competition and the 12 x 8 one we bought second hand. I echo what others have said - buy the biggest you can afford and fit in the space you have
  This is my pot plant greenhouse summer 2011
  
  

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• Message 10

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  Posted by thedogcody (U14659366) on Friday, 13th January 2012

  Crikey that is a fantastic display-thanks for sharing-any more pics?

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• Message 11

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  Posted by michelles61 (U14849590) on Friday, 13th January 2012

  Thank you so much for all your replies so far, am getting far too excited about getting it. Am hoping to persuade him to get it sooner so I can start planting stuff in it. Looking at your replies I dont like to tell him this may well be the first of many greenhouses.
  
  That pot plant display is brilliant you've certainly packed a load in the greenhouse.

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• Message 12

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  Posted by Lizmunstone (U6711031) on Sunday, 22nd January 2012

  For my 40th birthday my husband offered me a choice of a trip to Paris or greenhouse - needless to say I chose the greenhouse and never regretted it! I've never regretted choosing a husband who is more practical than romantic.
  
  Size very much depends on how much time you think you will have - I'd say try to put it where its easy to reach with a hose, and mine is also close enough to the house to run an electrical cable out for a propagator in spring. 6x8 is great to start with; I've now got two and two cold frames as well.
  
  Enjoy!!!

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• Message 13

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  Posted by PenylanSue (U13901201) on Monday, 23rd January 2012

  Michelle, I would say, the biggest you can afford and fit in the space.
  
  I would definitely say toughened glass, not only for the safety aspect (I live in a wind tunnel valley and the glass doesn't move as it's nice and heavy), but you don't get the dirt forming where each pane overlaps on ordinary glass.
  
  Must get electricity in from the start and automatic top vents.
  
  I also found that it's best to make the central path wider than you'd expect as you often stand things such as watering cans and bags of compost on the path.
  
  And finally, don't fall out too much as you're erecting it. DO read the instructions well. You can do most of the work yourself and then get the OH to hold it upright while you fasten it together. I did mine over a series of weekends (I was working long hours then)
  
  Sue

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• Message 14

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  Posted by PenylanSue (U13901201) on Monday, 23rd January 2012

  Oh and I forgot to say, pay particular attention to the base. It's going to stand for a long time.

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• Message 15

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  Posted by earth_girl (U8663626) on Tuesday, 24th January 2012

  Hello,
  
  Congrats hee hee!
  
  I am fairly new to the gardening scene but i have acquired my 1 st allotment recently . I had a perspex greenhouse all ready erected and prefer that material . Recently with the bad winds i have seen a lot of glass greenhouses being broken and glass can be pricey per sheet . I would opt for a toughened material but the decision is entirely yours. Goodluck! be sure to share pics once you purchase.

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• Message 16

  , in reply to message 15.

  Posted by Happy Violas (U13861656) on Wednesday, 25th January 2012

  I got a greenhouse last March with a bonus and have never regretted it! I got a 6 by 8 but it's a Rhino one from Greenhouses Direct and is taller than most 6 by 8s so actually feels quite a bit bigger (I can stand upright in the corners). It came with 2 automatic roof vents, 2 sets of louvre vents and some benching. We put it up over a weekend with our neighbours helping and had a well deserved curry night on the Saturday. It was great fun despite the requisite swearing! Enjoy, you won't regret it.....

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• Message 17

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  Posted by jodethetoad (U15149652) on Thursday, 16th February 2012

  Any suggestions regarding greenhouse heaters? I have electricity but don't know if I should go for the tubular heaters, or a paraffin heater? Any advice about which is best gratefully received!!

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• Message 18

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  Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Friday, 17th February 2012

  I swear by this one;
  
  I bought the PE1-3kw with the PE1 thermostat and I consider it one of my better buys.
  
  OK it was a bit pricy initially, but because of its excess power and the accuracy of the thermostat I would say I am quids in since I bought it.
  
  I never switch it off, the thermostat takes care of everything (lest I forget which at my age is common )
  
  It also acts as a cooler if needs be in the summer with an overriding fan switch.
  
  My theory re-the thermostat was if I had bought one at say +/- 5° C as opposed to the +/- 1°C my greenhouse might have been overheated thus incurring me more cost,so it is this saving that I think has paid for the bit extra I paid when I purchased it.
  
  But most of all ....I have peace of mind that my greenhouse is being heated when I want it.
  
  

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• Message 19

  , in reply to message 18.

  Posted by jodethetoad (U15149652) on Saturday, 3rd March 2012

  Thanks for your message, Ive had a look at the link. Apologies for taking so long to reply, struggled to find the original message (can you tell Im new to this?!).
  
  This heater looks quite hi-tec so will need to study it closely. But after the research I have done so far I think it's what I'm looking for. I have inherited a large greenhouse that will take some heating, but the cooling feature for the summer is also going to be useful. And I think I'm definitely going to need some form of thermostatic control.
  
  Thanks again for your response, much appreciated.

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• Message 20

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  Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Sunday, 4th March 2012

  This heater looks quite hi-tec 
  
  Anything but!
  
  Once set up you it up you need never touch it again unless you want to vary your temperature control.
  
  This I do twice a year by just turning the knob on the thermostat box.
  
  1) Around November I set it to a frost setting of around 35°F (2-3°C)
  
  2) At the start of the sowing season I then set it to around 45°F (6°C)
  
  Note both these settings are well below summer temperatures so I just leave the power on but I never use any electricity.
  
  Fan control;
  
  This is simply a flick / roller switch which I leave permanently on, and this switches itself on only when the heater / thermostat kicks in.
  
  If using it as a cooler in summer, and the fact that the heater is not on, you just flick the switch manually and it works in 'fan only mode'.
  
  So no!
  
  It is not high tech as far as the operator is concerned, but it is a lovely piece of simple technology that most importantly does what it says on the tin.
  
  The most comforting thing I find about it is its reliability! i.e.
  
  Once set up I never have to touch it again, and with my aged moments this can only be a good thing!
  
  It means I don't have to make morning & evening trips to attend to it.like you would with some other types of heaters.
  
  I have even take this control a stage further I have a 'wireless' sensor fitted in the greenhouse with the monitor in the kitchen which means; I can see what is happening in my greenhouse without even leaving the house.
  
  This is also high tec but not to the user only to the manufacturer.
  
  Now thats what I call gardening!!

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• Message 21

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  Posted by jodethetoad (U15149652) on Wednesday, 7th March 2012

  Thank you very much - you have been very helpful!

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