What size greenhouse?

[Redsquirrel5]

Hi,
I always promised myself a glass green house when I retired so the time has come!
We were thinking of an 8x10 but I was out at a garden centre and Sainsbury’s today and they had some greenhouses outside. The 6 x8 seemed like it might be big enough. I want to grow seeds for bedding plants, perennials and vegetables. I want some tomato plants in summer. I grew six tomato plants this year so probably the same. I had them in pots in a plastic greenhouse and two in the summerhouse.
Also if any of you have recommendations or what not to buy I would be grateful. The garden is a decent size. The house is north west facing and the garden is to the side and back of it. Not sure of the exact size. We have a fruit and veg patch within the garden and will site it there.

Any advice gratefully received.

Get the biggest you can afford and have space for as you will always find things for it!

I have an 8x10 and it is fab, and the right proportions for where it's sited, but I'd love a bigger one.

Yes I would say biggest you can accommodate as there is so much you can grow in a greenhouse.

We still have football garden nippers but I gaze at poly tunnels dreaming of lemon trees. Need to move to Europe!

We have 8x10, it can accommodate the two of us working in there. But late spring, when all the seedlings and fast growing tomato plants are in there, it’s a squeeze.
Go for the biggest one you can afford, then you can also sit in it.

Yes the biggest you can afford. Mine's 16 x 10 and is too small.

You need good ventilation so ideally a louvre window low down as well as window with automatic vents in the roof. Nearby water supply (even just a water butt taking water from the roof of the greenhouse), Electricity is a good idea - heating and lighting.

MIL dries her clothes in hers. I would defo sit on a deckchair in there. Might want a storage cupboard for tools so they're not on view etc.

Go big.

Make sure you can get a chair in there. Sitting with a cup of tea when the sun is out and the air still a bit nippy and the door closed is really a wonderful thing.

Don't forget water butts. Get one with self opening closing windows. And y want some space outside (cold frames or hard standing) for things to harden

@Laurendelight

MIL dries her clothes in hers. I would defo sit on a deckchair in there. Might want a storage cupboard for tools so they're not on view etc.

Genius idea!

Wow thanks for all the replies. Some good advice. Can I ask what brand you have please? This is where I am missing the garden shows. We usually go to Tatton and Holker Hall shows.

We were able to go out in the garden today. I have been potting up plants and dividing some. Now have primroses by the side door in MILs black cauldrons.😃We were working out where it could go x both sizes. I am going to loose one of our black currants😟.

Mine is a Rhino Premium from Greenhouse Direct. I bought the package deal which comes with staging, shelves, blinds etc, it really is fabulous.

Robinsons. We put it in when we bought the house 30 years ago and it's still in tip-top condition.

There again, expensive, and there's no point in paying for longevity if you're going to move house in 15 years.

Mine are both Robinsons too, Mere! The Professional models, erected about 28 years ago (by Des Boughton, who is still working with Robinsons). I do have a few leaks where some of the glass panes have slipped, but apart from that, still going strong.

Ooh thank you Rhino is on the list. Local family garden centre have one on display.
I haven’t seen Robinson’s it is a popular surname in our village though. Three families none related. I will have a look at them.
Thank you. I am really excited about getting it. I have a plastic mesh one but we will also be re- siting this one as next doors have built a higher fence on their side which shades the present one. I got it at end of season sale for a bargain £25😁

Laurendelight/Owl we have an Everhot in the kitchen so dry them in there. We have a shed and two out houses but I might change where they are as the shed would be nearer than the stable. DH keeps moving them which is annoying.

Mistake Robinson’s is in the Greenhouse People catalogue. I haven’t seen one up.

Ours is an Alton cedar greenhouse, they erected it. We have double sliding doors, makes life easier and you can get the wheelbarrow in.

Thank you Bumblebee that is helpful and I hadn’t thought about doors and wheel barrows. Yes, they will be erecting it whatever we chose!

You’re welcome. I’m sure you’ll enjoy your greenhouse, it’s the best thing!

Ours has double sliding doors. I never take the wheelbarrow in, but with both doors left wide open in summer, it saves the greenhouse getting too hot. Absence of a bit of frame to step over means it's easier to drag big pots in and out.

Rhino every time. Love it. And agree - go for the biggest you can afford. Also this time I have a concrete base and it makes the space more versatile (but I dont grow tomatoes in it)

Thank you both. We’re in the north so not expecting too much heat although last spring was fantastic. Looking at Rhino now, so much to weigh up and hope to decide tonight while the sale is still on and to hopefully get it before spring ends. I wish we had decided sooner.

Thank you everyone we have bought an 6x8 Rhino, some staging , gutter piping for a butt we already have one. Look forward to its arrival. DH has started clearing a space. He has cut back and dug up some blackcurrants. They have been so good but luckily BF came to post a letter so she has taken some. We have one bush left. Snow forecast so don’t think much will be done tomorrow.