Grow Your Own Magazine

Hi all

I just popped up my allotment today to check in my seedlings I had placed up there a couple of days ago. when I got there I discovered that my greenhouse had gone. As I got closer, I could see it on the ground about 10foot from where I had left it. It was one of those plastic temporary ones from Argos. I knew I had to secure it down more, and I was going to do it tomorrow.

But storms don't wait for secure fastening of plastic sheets over lightweight flimsy metal frames. Most of my seedlings, only just pricked out into their own pots have been smashed up. I have rescued a few, but I doubt they will survive.

Anyway, the two reasons for my post (other then my rant) is I need a proper greenhouse and some advice.

1. I am only just starting out on the allotment adventure, so I don't really know what I should be looking for in a greenhouse. I was thinking about 6ft x 4ft. Is this too small? Should I go a bit larger? Should I look for a window or roof vent? Plastic or glass? So many questions, I know, but I don't want to make the wrong decision again and destroy another load of seedlings.

2. What are the best places to buy one from? I don't much money at the moment, but as my brother says 'Buy cheap, pay twice'.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks

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BW
James

James' Allotment Blog

Whatever you do, don't get one like this

Plastic greenhouse

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A garden is a lovesome thing, God wot! (Thomas Edward Brown)

The first year I grew my own toms and stuff (year before last) I had a 6 x 4 plastic greenhouse from Instore for 35 quid. It was great and I learned loads from my experiments in that. At the end of that year, the little greenhouse was trashed by high winds in November (I still had tomatoes and peppers ripening in it) and Madmax bought me a 6 x 8 greenhouse from Focus to replace it. They were on offer at the time. Said greenhouse was assembled a year ago and is full to bursting at the moment when all the seedlings are indoors overnight or on chilly days.

Definitely get the biggest 'house you can afford and watch your local freecycle and ebay for a cheap or even freebie.

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Happy Gardening,
Shirley

http://www.honeyjukes.co.uk

there is a web site where you can trade things in your local area,freecyle i think its callled you might get one for free.

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joanne culyer

I agree with Jojo, join your local Freecycle group and ask for one....you'll be suprised what you can get for free as people upgrade and get rid!!!

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Always aim for the best result possible not the best possible result

Peanut aka Joanna

Failing Freecycle, I picked up my 6 x 6 glass greenhouse on ebay for £26, and I really can't fault it. Brand new it would have set me back at least £250 and maybe more. Just wish I'd got an 8 x 6 now. So much to grow and so little space....

touch wood my plastic green house is still standing what with old curtain poles reinforced in the roof poles to prevent the plastic sagging when it rains and rope over the top to peg it down a bit more, still makes me nervous when i sit in there on a windy day thoughalso another down side is all the blimin flys bees and wasps that decide to fly in and are too stupid to fly out again

buy the biggest you can afford - you always need bigger.
You need to be sure that your site is ideal - not too windy, not prone to vandalism.

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I came, I saw, I planted

I wouldn't start with anything smaller than one of 8' x 6'. I did and it was a mistake. Make sure you secure it well; we use angle irons driven into the ground at each corner on our site.

As for getting a cheap greenhouse you could always mention that you're looking for one when talking to other plot holders; I did and was told where I could get a freebie and have since taken delivery of another.

Phil

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Live each day as if it was your last because one day it will be

you could also try sites like ad-trader or friday ads, they sometimes have the 'free to collector' ads for greenhouses. Is there a 'gumtree' in your area? I picked up one from here. Ask everyone you know and get them to ask everyone they know. If you are patient and vigilant, they do turn up.

As previously mentioned, get the biggest one you can, trust me you first look at it and think you will never fill it and two months down the line you will back on the www looking for another one

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Kernow rag nevra

The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits
Albert Einstein

Thanks so much everyone. I am watching freecycle and gumtree closely.
Hopefully I will sort something before I run out of space at home.

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BW
James

James' Allotment Blog