Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi Guys,

I'm new to the forums and allotments. We have not long taken on a plot in B'ham and are about halfway through clearing and making way to start planting. I want to get a greenhouse but have found that they are quite expensive. Does anybody have a tips as to where i can get one at a reasonable price and which ones are the best to go for ie: glass or perspex?

Any suggestions appreciated,

Alisha

Hello Alisha and welcome to the Vine. I just have a 6x8 glass greenhouse which is 25 years old, so not up to date with all the latest trends. There has been a lot of discussion about the "best" greenhouses on here, so don't doubt some other grapes will be along to tell you what they bought.
As you said they are expensive. You could look on Freecycle and see if anything going for free there. Some of the grapes have had free ones that way. Anyway, happy gardening, and do let us know what you are growing.

__________________

From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs.

Hi Alisha,

We also have a new allotment, but its starting to come together. I got a free greenhouse out the local paper classifieds. The lady I got it from just wanted rid of it, so was free to whoever was willing to dismantle it. Even though my fingers went numb, was covered in blood in January hailstorms, I had a rough idea how to put it back together.

Also don't do what I did by stacking the glass flat, as the free greenhouse got a bit costly by replacement glass!!!!

Anyway good luck with it

Hi Alisha,
Welcome to The Vine
Do you have a *FreeCycle* scheme in your area. Maybe put an s.o.s out for one in their ads.
(Hope this link works) http://www.freecycle.org/
Lauren

__________________
"A good gardener always plants 3 seeds - one for the bugs, one for the weather and one for himself.” - Leo Aikman
Lauren

You might be able to get one cheap on ebay

__________________
Belgrave-allotments.co.uk

Hello Alisha - welcome to the Vine!
We've been chatting a lot about this recently...if you click on 'search' at the top right of the page and type greenhouse into the box, you'll come up with loads of threads on greenhouses. Grab yourself a mug of tea ( or a glass or 2 of something more relaxing )and have a good read!
I think you'll find that you need to get the biggest you can find as you'll always run out of room inside,and they don't tend to overheat, and glass is better than plastic for light to pass through and it's a lot cheaper ( unless safety is a real issue for you?)
I have an old glass 8x6 greenhouse and have a small peach tree trained across the back and grow 8 indoor tomatoes,6 cucumber and 6 chilli plants. I don't use it for seedtrays as it is on the lottie and we only tend to go down 2-3 times a week.
Think about how you intend using it , look at the area you have available, and then (most important) at your budget.
Mine was free from a neighbour on the lottie.

Cheers guys,

Looks like glass it is then.... there are some bargins on ebay but none in my area at the mo so i'll have to keep watching. Same with freecycle (What a good idea that is) so i'll have to be patient and keep an eye out. It seems silly to buy a new one though when so many people want to get rid of theirs!

Hi Alisha, If you can collect it I know of one in Nuneaton thats going its 6ft long & 8 ft wide I can find out more inf if you like?

Welcome to the vine BTW

__________________
ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

Thanks Nick, that would be great... my allotments allow a small greenhouse so i presume that size would be ok. Nuneaton isn't too far really from where we are so any info would be great.... Alisha

PS just in case anyone would like a peek www.growit.ik.com

Hi everyone, I've just signed up to be a new grape member. I just got a new greenhouse it was delivered on Thursday and I'm so pleased I've got it. It's 8 x 6ft, although looking at and reading what others have said I have a feeling it will be overflowing very soon. I was a bit disapointed today when my husband and I opened the glazing packs that a couple of the pains had broken, however, B&Q are going to swap them so we can finish off tomorrow after work. It's been alot of fun and frustration putting up the greenhouse but we're nearly there. I've had a read through some of the other grapes and just want to thank everyone for all the hints and tips that I've picked up.

Thanks everyone.

Welcome gardening mad

__________________
Belgrave-allotments.co.uk

Hi Gardening Mad, ahhh you fallen for the old greenhouse trap have you I hope your's brings you as much enjoyment as mine do for me. Welcome to the vine

__________________
ntg

Never be afraid to try something new.
Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark.
A large group of professionals built the Titanic

http://grief-encounters.blogspot.com/

Hi Gardening Mad and Alisha. I had a peek at your allotment website Alisha. I used ik.com and ik.org for websites for the shcool I used to work at, for our local Natural History Society and for our village. Easy sites to use for charities and non-profit organisations. You look like a dynamic & friendly lot. Well done.
Don't worry about your greenhouse ardening Mad. Size isn't everything! It makes you more creative if you have to juggle a bit! Mine's the same size - I wouldn't have room for bigger as I grow everything in the garden. I love it though!

__________________
Earth laughs in flowers. Ralph Waldo Emerson

www.vegheaven.blogspot.com

Updated November 30th - Mr Stinky's Excellent Adventure (and a Christmas Cake)

Hi Guys,

Finally found a greenhouse.... dismantled it on the weekend, but not looking forward to putting it back up! Cant wait to get inside when its all finished though and get started!

Alisha

Great news Alisha
Once you get it up you'll be able to sit inside and keep dry when it starts to rain!!! (amongst other things!!!)

I'm already planning the tea making facilities

Hi Alisha, to answer your first question, the best greenhouse IN THE WORLD is......yours! It will never matter where you go, what shape or size another greenhouse is, it will never be as good as your own because the others don't have what you've grown in them.

Have you tried Freecycle or your local free newspaper? Usually one or more going begging if you strip down & take away ( some glass may need replacing)

http://uk.freecycle.org/

__________________
I cook with wine, sometimes I even add it to the food.
W. C. Fields

Thanx bubblewrap but i now have one, found a second hand one locally, its just waiting to go up.