Do I need a greenhouse.

[Paranoidandroidmarvin]

Only been gardening since I moved into my house last year. So this is my first year and I am loving it.

I bought myself a bunch of seeds just as an experiment. To be honest I wasn’t expecting anything to grow. But they did!!! Now I’m having to learn step by step of what to do.

I cannot tell u how much joy it gives me getting up each day to see how much they have grown and can’t wait till I have to actually re pot them. They are currently only on my kitchen window.
So I’m limited to space.

If I was to do this again I would need more space. So excited to do this again next year to be honest as I am loving all this gardening.

If I was to do this again and more things do I need a cold frame? Or should I just stick to leaving them all on my window ledges around the house.

Welcome to gardening - it's addictive.

A greenhouse is nice - somewhere to harden off the seedlings as they grow up. The issue with kitchen windowsills is that seedlings can get a bit leggy. But when you pot them on you can often sink them further into the soil.

What are you growing?

Everyone needs a greenhouse! Unfortunately not everyone has space. You could get a cold frame, but if you’ve got space go for the greenhouse, you’ll eventually get one.
Gardening is so good for the soul.

I have a plastic greenhouse which during the colder months has been in my bedroom with yrow lights and heat mats for seedlings as I only have two usable windowsills. Its it now in the garden with potted on seedlings innit and the plug plants I am growing on

I started with windowsills, then a plastic greenhouse and now have a little wooden gro house. Would never have the funds for a full on glass greenhouse but the plastic/wooden ones have been phenomenal for starting seeds.

About £40 max for large plastic and £100 for wood.

@NeurologicallySpeaking

I started with windowsills, then a plastic greenhouse and now have a little wooden gro house. Would never have the funds for a full on glass greenhouse but the plastic/wooden ones have been phenomenal for starting seeds.

I've got 2 glass greenhouses (with hens in). They are just basic 6x8 aluminium frame ones, but I got 1 free and the other either free or v cheap. People are always posting them on Facebook market place. You do have to remove them though. Worth keeping a look out.

I'd vote for buying a greenhouse if you have the space- cheap second hand if you're happy to assemble yourself- but if you'd like to keep to indoor growing you could try this IKEA mini greenhouse that you could take outside every day for max. sunlight , it'll keep your seedlings warm at night by bringing them indoors when then sun goes down.

www.ikea.com/gb/en/p/socker-greenhouse-white-70186603/

I’ve grown from seeds for a few years but only got a greenhouse last year. I still start my seeds on windowsills as the greenhouse us unheated but at this stage when they’ve been pricked out and some potted on again it’s nice to have the space. I would definitely recommend one if you have the space and budget. I never had a plastic one because it’s so windy here.

I moved from window sills to getting a cold frame, it was really useful, then a very small greenhouse, like a bookcase. Then knocked down the outside loo and got a lean to greenhouse. Loved it as you could potter around in it in the rain or when it was a bit chilly. Really extends the growing season and great place to protect plants over the winter.

Cat loved it too..,

You need N+1 greenhouses, where N is the number you currently have.

What’s the difference between an unheated greenhouse and a cold frame? Is it worth having a greenhouse if it’s unheated? It seems like more of a big deal / hassle (as well as expensive) to have a heated one.

I grow tons and cucumbers in my greenhouse in Scotland - not warm enough otherwise

@Ifailed

You need N+1 greenhouses, where N is the number you currently have.

🤣

@Moreandmoreandmore I overwintering things like pelargoniums, tender salvias etc in my unheated greenhouse. I suppose the only difference between it and a cold frame is space. I refuse to heat it, that would just be wasteful.

I don’t have the room for a greenhouse. But just bought a cold house !

A growlight and a heat mat on a shelf indoors is cheaper than a greenhouse. I use this to stop the seedlings going leggy on a windowsill. You can still harden off into a coldframe or just by a sunny wall with some bubblewrap.

I have a greenhouse. But honestly I would question the reasons you want one …

Currently I have the following in seed trays. They all germinated on windowsills/inside the patio doors because the overnights in the greenhouse are prohibitive anyway….

Harlequin daisies
Cayenne
Cucumber
China roses
Courgette

I also have JUST started leaving out in the greenhouse after germinating indoors …

Mimulus
Tomato
Fuschia
Verbena
Coreopsis
Echinacea
Lupin
Achilea
Cosmos
Black eyed Susan’s

And some of these are hardy, yes, but so small the slugs and snails would just destroy so I leave them inside till bigger

So for seed germination, I’d question it.

However for growing on of tomato, mini cucumbers, tomatillo and chillis they are great all summer.

Also over wintering insurance cuttings of rosemary, penstemon, roses, curry plant, thyme, and sage - also useful.

I lay fleece over my seedlings in the greenhouse. My Kale are too big and need planted out but it's a bit soon. Perhaps I can protect them with something such as fleece in the garden. I have used old milk containers with teh top and bottom removed in the past.
My old cold frame fell apart.