Grow Your Own Magazine

I've been offered another greenhouse which i really need as my current one is bursting at the seams that that is just my alpine collection so no room for any edibles. my greenhouse isnt in the best position and gets quite alot of shade. the only room i have in the back garden is next to the current greenhouse but i want to put it in the front where there is more sun. i live near the river so lots of people walk past in the summer. is there anyway of locking a greenhouse so that no one can help themselves to my toms?

Leona
As my greenhouse is on my allotment I keep it padlocked just in case. If its aluminium you can drill a hole in the framework and put a padlock in which stops the door sliding along.
Best wishes
Sue

good idea! hadnt thought of that.

Why do you need to padlock a greenhouse surly if anybody wants to get in all they have to do is either remove the retaining clips then the glass or just smash the glass you can even lift the door out of runners,!

I'm tempted to say that locking it will only make the idiots more keen to get in.

In a recent batch of garden breaking around here only locked sheds had stuff nicked from them, even if the shed had things worth taking (a mantis tiller and various tools, bikes etc...) unlocked sheds were left alone.

You might loose the odd tomato or cucumber but rather that than broken glass and deliberate trashing of everything in sight. You could put a notice inside to ask for moderation - you don't mind if they taste fresh veg but could they please.....

on the question of drilling ......

neither of my two new "easy to fit" autovents fit the predrilled holes. I have to make two holes slightly larger, and drill two new holes on the vent frames.

suggestions of how to do this please before i make a complete bodge of it.

thanking you muchly as always.

Carefully Mrs P

It is annoying that they don't fit the existing holes isn't it. DOes it fix with self tappers or is it like the one in the little G/house I've got and fix into a bracket that goes behindit?

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ntg

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You would think that a "standard" greenhouse would have holes to match two of the more popular make of autovent (or the t'other way round) wouldn't you ?

I've got a bracket to fit where there is currently a black plassy peg holding stay thingy (for the arm that props the vent up - know what i mean ??? ) and ONE of those holes is too small for the bolt and nut for the autovent. there are a spare set of holes in the same glazing bar that are the right size but they're too close together - naturally !

then on the vent itself, there are NO holes the right size nor in the right position so need two new holes. there is a swivelling bracket thingy actually conencted to the autovent that attaches to the pane frame itself. all the fixings are nuts and bolts (i seem to recall before i hastily bunged them back in the box lol).

trouble is, i'm useless at these things but the OH is even more useless. i should have had a bash this afternoon while he was out roflmao

what drill bit should i use for aluminium? there are 3 kinds in the box, wood, masonry and another type or do i need a special bit ? and if the bit slides easily through the already made proper size hole, is that a good indication of how big the bit should be ??

sorry to sound so dozy, but ..... i am ! lol

the thing is that i live my the thames and we get alot of human traffic in the summer. people are forever looking in at my veg patch which is fine and so far nothings been taken but iv only had broc/beans and tatos out there. i just think having a greenhouse out there will draw alot more attention. i wouldnt lock it often, we shut the gates at night so it would just be the odd times during the day we are out. shame i cant leave the dogs in the front garden to patrol!

Place a rake horizontally on the floor, just inside the door. Just remember its there!

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My dad's greenhouse is 'outside' his garden but still on his land. He put a nail through the top of the door into the framework. Drilled the hole first mind you. It does the same job as a padlock without locking it and cant be seen. He just removes it to open the door. As for the auto vents. Brilliant once fitted!!! Hubby (whos very good at DIY & doesn't normally need instructions) and I spent a whole afternoon with detailed instructions, before giving up, we could get it fitted but couldn't seem to get it working once assembled. I had 2 further sessions when I was up the plot, dismantling and re doing. Eventually it worked but god knows what I did different. I think perseverance is the key word here.(although there were several other 'key words' used by my hubby!!)

Only one point if some idiot wants to get in all they have to do is break a pane (of glass)or two.

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

I know that anyone could break the glass of the greenhouse, but with houses very close to my allotment and one particular kind person who keeps an eye on things, I reckoned the sound of breaking glass might bring attention and that if anyone were to investigate my greenhouse, a padlock would put them off.
Sue

Watching & listening 24/7 ?

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

Had a thought no need to break glass ...Just unclip & take out & put back when stuff nicked!
It's the allotment site tha needs securing.

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

that fills me with confidence !!!

brilliant idea with the nail (am now off to google "drilling aluminium".

When the OH and I 'fitted' the auto vent umpty ump years ago I seem to remember that you need an 'HSS metal bit' meaning one which is made of High Speed Steel and designated for drilling metal - I got chapter and verse about 'ruining' his wood bits .

The vent mechanism has a screwthread adjuster which is a bit trial and error to set, basically go into your greenhouse, when the temp feels about right, lift the vent by hand and tighten the screw until the autovent holds the window open. It will then start to open the vent at that approx temperature.

As to placing the holes and the iniquities of greenhouse manufacturers......

hmmmm there are three types in the drill box. Wood, masonry and another type ! I shall investigate !

Oh and thanks to Leona for letting me hijack her thread.

The one you want should be shiny metal - not dark or dull!