Come this way and tell me about your greenhouse...

[alloverthecarpetagain]

I am considering getting a greenhouse as I now have room in this garden for one and I'm enjoying gardening for once as I have time. We moved here a few weeks ago and although it's a 1970s place, there is almost nothing in the garden, just lawn and some decking, so it really is a blank slate which is quite nice really. So tell me about your greenhouses so I can get an idea if it's worth the expense and the space it takes. Would you get one in my situation or leave it a bit and see how it goes?

I went with a cheap plastic one to find out whether I would get good use out of it. It super cheap. I've loved it and bought a second one in the spring when my first was full.

In winter and early spring it housed my seedlings and plugs
It currently has my tomatoes, cucumber and loads of chillis + seedlings of biennials for next year
I'll do sweet peas in sept/oct for next year
Loads of seeds ready for Jan

If I had the funds I'd have a great big glass or polyurethane greenhouse but for now my 2 plastic houses are working well for me 😀

so I can get an idea if it's worth the expense
It's amazing how often they come up on Freecycle.

Get the biggest you can afford and ensure it's in range for your wifi. Mine is 10 x 8 and full of tomatoes, chillis and cucumbers. It has a louvred window, automatic vent and fold down staging.

In the spring I attach bubble wrap inside for insulation and spend many hours pottering about, sitting on a patio chair in the warmth, surfing the net and drinking tea.

I had a concrete base and path built and inside is soil.

I got mine on freecycle and had to get a few panes replaced. It became this amazing sanctuary (house full of teens).
Trays of seedlings, overwintering tender plants, getting things started earlier in the year, no more pots of seedlings struggling on windowsills.
Even in winter it was a lovely place to spend an hour, you’re in the garden so you can hear everything but protected from the elements, so best of both worlds. I grew melons successfully, endless cucumbers, salad and herbs all winter. Happy memories.

Well I think you've all inspired me to go ahead - thank you so much for taking the time to reply. I do love the idea of pottering round or having a cuppa in the greenhouse in the poorer weather. I had been wondering whether to get a small sort of lean to type greenhouse, but actually being able to go in one does appeal more.

I've been debating getting a greenhouse in the future when we develop a bit of our garden and these posts have swung it!

It sounds lovely

Yes I am keen for a greenhouse and you all make it sound wonderful - just need to prep the area and get in so I can start more pottering!

I have a large greenhouse. Two roof windows with automatic vents and another 3? 4? that I can open manually, and wide double doors that I leave open in summer. Bubblewrap in winter - the canes running the length of the roof that support the bubblewrap double up as plant supports in summer.

I have light, power and an extension for the landline. And a comfy chair (actually, two). And an old umbrella in case it starts raining when I'm out there, so when I go back to the house I'm not soaked.

Most of the plants are on staging, except for one section where I have a tub on the floor for the cucumbers, which then climb to the roof. Under the staging is where I store pots. There's nearby water butts collecting from the garage roof, so I don't have to walk too far with a watering can, and a tap outside for when the rainwater runs out.

In winter it has overwintering plants, then from early spring seedtrays of veg and flower seedlings. At the moment there are cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuces where it's cool near the door, and various other salad leaves, courgettes which I'm guarding from slugs, a cape gooseberry, and lots of young plants being cossetted until they can be planted out. And cacti.

I'm now just wondering if I can justify getting one soon rather than wait for Christmas or birthday. I'm thinking of all the things I could do from now till the Spring in there and I just love the idea of having a nice organised space instead of making a mess potting things up spread out on the patio gravel as I was today.

That’s another couple of things that are useful - dustpan and brush for sweeping floor after potting, compost bucket to drop sweepings, dead leaves etc into.

I would look into getting one now, as delivery times seem to be very long on some makes, you might have a long wait.

@NanTheWiser

I would look into getting one now, as delivery times seem to be very long on some makes, you might have a long wait.

Good point. I'm still looking at the different types and trying to make up my mind. Plus, we need to clear the spot it is going in - at the moment we have an ugly great oil tank there. But you're right, if it's going to be a 3 month wait or more then I might as well order now.

Have you decided between wood and aluminium yet?

I love the look of a wooden greenhouse but I think it will be aluminium for me because they are cheaper. I like the look of the green or black ones especially.

@senua

so I can get an idea if it's worth the expense It's amazing how often they come up on Freecycle.

This, definitely. I've had 2 in the last 6 months from Facebook Marketplace. Have to disassemble and take away, but that's not a problem as D0 has a van. I've got 2 connected with wire mesh on the walls as a hen run.

We have recycled a couple of double glazed conservatories into a summer house cum green house. The plastic frames are easy to recycle at a local DG supplier but the glass is expensive so is to get on FBook. I built a concrete pad, small natural stone walls and a timber frame on top with double glazing. You would need to be reasonably committed and competent. Probably cost about £500 all in.

Like this: www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/419164449483446/?ref=facebook_story_share

I've had a look on marketplace and will carry on doing that, certainly. I'm a little put off by a previous free greenhouse I had years ago as it ended up costing a fortune by the time it had been transported and had new glass, etc. That was when I had very little time for gardening so I don't know what I was thinking of really - we had that thing in 3 separate gardens in total. I think I just like the idea this time of starting off with something new. I'm not even sure we have Freecycle here any more, but will check.

Definitely don't look to buy a new one until you've had a look at your local gumtree, Facebook, eBay etc usually some going free around here

I think I have time to have a good look around for a cheap one, that's true. Our village has a WhatsApp group that often has people giving stuff away, though a greenhouse would be snapped up very quickly I think!

As I can't have the space for the greenhouse for a while (new heating needs to be installed, pil tank in garden take away, ground cleared etc) I've bought myself a couple more lots of metal shelves from IKEA and bought the little covers that zip over them to create a bit of a greenhouse effect. It's a test for myself to see if I'll stick at it! Won't be able to sit them unfortunately, but I think they will be useful if I ever do get my greenhouse.

I bought a cheap plastic one in February and I have loved it! It’s been brilliant fun growing my own stuff. I’m going to get another one next year and have them side by side.