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Gardening

Find tips and tricks to make your garden or allotment flourish on our Gardening forum.

Do you have a greenhouse?

128 replies

Happyinheels · 19/02/2021 13:21

Hi, I'm contemplating getting a greenhouse. I'm wondering if it's worth the investment? Do you have a greenhouse? What do you grow in it - apart from tomatoes 🤣 Is it worth the money?

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Happyinheels · 19/02/2021 21:07

@hedgehogger1 are you in the NE??? I can take it off your hands! As an act of kindness... you know, so you can get a bigger one 😬🤣

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hedgehogger1 · 19/02/2021 21:11

Sadly not. Next house I will have room for a bigger one. Not that we're even looking to move...

GnomeDePlume · 19/02/2021 21:13

@Happyinheels fresh horse manure is brilliant for a hotbox! The heat is remarkable.

I have quite a large allotment so we have plenty of outdoor beds. We are lucky that we are allowed to grow flowers for cutting as well as fruit and vegetables.

ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 19/02/2021 21:19

[quote Happyinheels]@ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn I'll Google those water butts thanks.
Yeah, my friend said it needed to be well rotted. I think a local farm normally gives it away, I'll have to check if they're still doing that.
Thank you - I missed out on a free one earlier today. I'll keep looking but I imagine I'll get impatient and have to buy one! [/quote]
IBC tanks are used for bulk liquid transporting, are dirt cheap (or free if you ask nicely), and easy to re-purpose as a water butt, though not the most attractive garden feature. I'm quite fond of mine though as they're just so damn practical and hold a lot of water. I'm going to grow something rambly over the one in my composting corner. This is a random Google image of one.

Do you have a greenhouse?
Happyinheels · 19/02/2021 21:40

@GnomeDePlume doh facepalm yes! Of course! I'm so sorry - I'm confusing myself!

Fantastic that you can grow flowers in your beds too. Once I get my head around the greenhouse and the base etc I need to think about making some raised beds.

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Happyinheels · 19/02/2021 21:42

@ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn wow that's massive!! Are they industrial kind of size?

Can you put guttering on a greenhouse?

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ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 19/02/2021 22:09

[quote Happyinheels]@ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn wow that's massive!! Are they industrial kind of size?

Can you put guttering on a greenhouse?[/quote]
They are big, but once you start collecting water it feels like such a waste of a downpour every time your butts are at full capacity and it rains!

Yes you can have guttering on a greenhouse.

LouScot · 19/02/2021 22:26

Oh fantastic idea!! Some raised beds would be great in this space if I'm not brave enough for the greenhouse. Pottering about in the garden was the biggest joy last spring and summer - I live alone and it was so nice to just do bits and pieces outside, plus a great way to get to know neighbours walking past. Thanks for the inspiration!

Happyinheels · 19/02/2021 22:33

@ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn yeah I can imagine that it is something to become obsessed with 🤣

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Happyinheels · 19/02/2021 22:36

UPDATE

So, I can't seem to find a glass greenhouse anywhere. eBay have got an aluminium and polycarbonate one but I have no idea if they're any good or not? There are a few second hand ones but none near me.
Who knew there would be a shortage of greenhouses??

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Redsquirrel5 · 19/02/2021 22:48

I bought a plastic one. I only paid £25 as it was last one end of season sale. I had been waiting! I thought if I used the plastic one enough then I would buy a proper one when I retired. So we have one on order from Rhino. There is a Facebook page which helped us to make up our mind. People were very pleased with them. We are going to put it on paving stones. They come and put it up for you at a price. Have a look on the Rhino site there is lots of helpful info. We have some railway sleepers for two good size raised beds. Yes, the Rhinos come with guttering and a kit will Channel it into a water butt. We bought two slimline butts from
B&Q last year.

I started a thread on here recently and had lots of useful replies. Look forward to see what you decide. I grew tomatoes the last. Two years and some herbs. Started beans off but the slugs munched them so I fed them to the hens. I have an A frame too and I grew herbs and lettuce in that. I bought a 6 x8.
How far would you be prepared to go for a free one? I live in the north west so can keep looking here if you are in Northumbria. There is a long guarantee on some of them. We sent for a greenhouse direct catalogue which was useful.

ViperAtTheGatesOfDawn · 19/02/2021 22:54

Mine's a Rhino too, I love it 💚

Happyinheels · 19/02/2021 22:58

@Redsquirrel5 that's really useful info, thanks. I'll have a look at the Rhino site. I've just been looking at the Halls Popular 6x8, it says 15 weeks delivery time! I've looked on Argos and B&Q and they don't have any available. Guessing the current situation has even impacted greenhouse production!
I live more on the North Yorkshire/North East border. I'd be prepared to travel, however I have to be able to rebuild it myself so that's the only problem I foresee with getting a second hand one.
How long has your Rhino one been on order for?
I just noticed that some of them come with the guttering and down pipe for collecting rainwater.

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Cally62 · 20/02/2021 07:57

OMG Happy We could be neighbours. I'm situated in the North East...

Only put my tender plants in the greenhouse when it's well into spring and no risk of frost.

I have a 'Brown Turkey' fig tree...bought about 5 years ago from a garden centre for £15. I had 136 figs on it last summer...yes I counted them all whilst out with my house cat on a lead. I've given loads of cutting to friends and family. They taste absolutely amazing pulled off
the tree on a warm summers day and eaten straight away. Would be more than happy to post you a cutting when the frost has gone.

I'll keep a look out for any freebies locally. Think that the latest you could put one up to have plants growing this year is Summer.

ErrolTheDragon · 20/02/2021 08:28

Guessing the current situation has even impacted greenhouse production!

It's probably affected demand even more, lots of people spending time at home, and some unexpectedly having more time.
If you can't get a greenhouse, a cold frame may be useful at the moment for starting off a few things. I got one for Xmas.

Happyinheels · 20/02/2021 09:47

@Cally62 your fig tree sounds amazing and I'd definitely love a cutting thank you! Got a great image of you in my head if you and your cat 😊

Imagine that?! I'm on the border of North Yorkshire and the North East.

I trawled the internet till the early hours of this morning. I'm on the verge of ordering this one (hopefully attaching the link!) - it says 15 weeks delivery... I'm torn between trying to wait and see if a free one comes up or just crack on and order one. My only issue with waiting to see if a free one comes up is having to take it down myself, transport it home and rebuild with no instructions. I haven't really got anyone I could ask to help me.

www.greenhousestores.co.uk/8x6-Halls-Popular-Greenhouse-Horticultural-Glass.htm

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Happyinheels · 20/02/2021 09:50

@ErrolTheDragon yeah that's so true... and here I was, trying to be ahead of the game this year 🤣

Thanks for the tip about the cold frame, I'll definitely bear that in mind.

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Cally62 · 20/02/2021 10:19

That seems quite good actually Happy delivery within 15 weeks though.
If I was having to pay for one I'd want it now. Perhaps contact them and see if it could be perhaps a few less weeks.

If you're buying a new one you still have to put it up...'tis relatively easy but a 2 man job. So if you're having to wait that long for delivery I'd hold off and look for a second hand one. You could be lucky.

Brilliant idea from Errol on getting a cold frame...or making one. That way you could get started in no time then transfer to greenhouse when you get one. I know I'm stating the obvious.

I'm in Norton, Teesside.

My cat's called Sausage and is a lovely bundle of brown chocolate fur with apricot eyes. Not sure he'd take to your mice though Happy

Beebumble2 · 20/02/2021 10:28

Depending how DIY handy you are, there are some examples of using redundant double glazing to make large cold frames. Examples on Pinterest. Maybe a local glazing company would give you some.

ErrolTheDragon · 20/02/2021 10:42

I suppose it would be possible to make something more like a mini lean-to greenhouse like that too.

ErrolTheDragon · 20/02/2021 10:51

I've just been looking on the Thompson&morgan website. They've got some polycarbonate greenhouses on one week delivery. I'm not sure of the pros and cons v glass. But what I'm wondering about is whether the 'portable' things - a frame with a plastic cover, essentially - are at all worth bothering with. They're not very expensive, so I'm wondering if they're worth a try as a first step.

Happyinheels · 20/02/2021 11:28

@Cally62 exactly! I'm not sure I can wait 15 weeks 😭 I spoke to a couple of guy friends who were all like oh taking a greenhouse down is a nightmare! I've been looking on the local free sites but there's nothing.

I'm just down the road in Guisborough so I could pop by for the cutting! Not yet obviously 🙄

It is a good idea about building the cold frame as a starter...

Your cat sounds adorable. Sadly my cat died unexpectedly last year, Mr Darcy, he was only 10.

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Happyinheels · 20/02/2021 11:29

@Beebumble2 thanks for that - I'll have a look. It's definitely an idea to tide me over... I joined a fb allotment group today and a lady on there has made all sorts! I'm now thinking I need a screw gun to add to my small collection of tools ⚒️

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MereDintofPandiculation · 20/02/2021 11:32

Who knew there would be a shortage of greenhouses?? You probably have Covid to thank for that, all the new gardeners!

I have a 'Brown Turkey' fig tree...bought about 5 years ago from a garden centre for £15. I had 136 figs on it last summer. We have one as well, get about 200 figs on it each year (yes I count them too). W Yorks at about 400ft - a bit warmer than where "Happy* is but if you can grow them in Teesside, Cally, then Happy should be able to grow them outside without taking up precious greenhouse space.

My father has a twinwall polycarbonate greenhouse - it's flexible rather than rigid (maybe it's not polycarbonate but some other plastic), so feels less robust than a glass one, but it's been standing happily for 15 years. Feels a bit warmer than glass, too. But you can't see into it from outside very well.

I've got a Robinsons which has been going strong for 30 years, but they cost an arm and a leg. I can only imagine that the cost paled into insignificance beside the cost of the house at the time we bought.

I grow cacti, tomatoes, cucumbers, and oddly, courgettes because it is a slug-free environment. I use it to overwinter tender plants that are outside in summer, for raising seeds (easier than a windowsill because the light levels are better) and nurturing small plants.

One us that hasn't been mentioned yet is that if you garden because you enjoy it, then a greenhouse gives you somewhere you can garden when the weather isn't conducive to enjoyable gardening.

I also have a couple of comfy chairs in there - it's my sanctuary.

Happyinheels · 20/02/2021 11:33

@ErrolTheDragon Yeah I wondered about the polycarbonate ones - EBay had one available. I've no idea whether they're as good as a glass one though?
I had a look at the plastic ones, we get so much wind here that I was a bit dubious about whether it would last. Years ago I had a small one to try and grow tomatoes in. That summer was terrible and it got absolutely trashed despite being pegged down. The wind snapped the poles.
Ah decisions! I'm no further forward really am I?! Oh apart from thinking it's definitely worth it and that I'd love one!

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