Do I want/need a greenhouse?

[IlanaK]

This is our first summer with a garden. We have so enjoyed growing veg. I am just wondering if I want a greenhouse. I think I want one, but am wondering what are the main advantages of having one.

Those that have them, do you really use them?

[nymphadora]

I have 2& use them loads. Over winter I keep the more delicate plants in them. Last year as part of the moving to this house we ended up with strawberries in there & they fruitedreally early in the summer.
In the spring I start my seeds off in them & in the summer I have one for peppers & tomatos and the other for whatever exotic stuff I want to try this year.

[IlanaK]

Thanks for replying.

What delicate plants do you put in there in winter?

And why are the tomatoes and peppers in the greenhouse in summer? We have ours in the garden and they are doing really well. Novice gardener here so really wondering!

[nymphadora]

Do better inside. I have dome in & some out so everything comes at different times.

My pomegranette (sp?) olive, kiwi all go inside. Can't think what else off hand. They would be ok out but we get sp much rain it means they don't flood at least!

[midnightexpress]

I would loooove a greenhouse! I was at Hampton Court flower show last week and they had a great 'grow your own' section. The greenhouse (actually it might have been a polytunnel, but anyway) had masses of fabulous things growing in it - tomatoes and cucumbers, obviously, but also things like peanuts, aubergines, sweet potatoes and some Chinese things I can't remember the names of. Twas fabulous.

[snorkie]

I got one last autumn & as well as overwintering some herbs & fuscias I grew lettuce & salad leaves in it all winter which was fab. I have tomatoes and peppers & chilis in it at the moment and in the spring it was great for starting off sweetcorn and beans etc ready for planting out after the frosts.

[IlanaK]

Ok, I am convinced that I really do want one then!

Do I need a big one, or will a little one be ok?

[snorkie]

Mines just a standard size. I want another one though. The tomatoes can grow outside, but you get a longer season if they're under glass. You can try melons & cucumbers as alternatives.

[nymphadora]

Mine are 6x8

[WynkenBlynkenandNod]

Yes you definitely need a greenhouse! Mine is a 6x8 Ebay job that got put up this spring. All my seedlings were started off in it. At the moment it is full of tomatoes, cucumbers, aubergines, melon, tomatillo and peppers. Very handy for reducing the chance of blight on tomatoes I've heard which will be good as still got green tomato chutney from last years outdoor crop that all went down with blight last August.

I've squeezed a chair in so I can sit and mutter encoraging words and have a trolley where I do my potting up.