Always wanted a greenhouse...

Bet it sounds like the percussion section of the orchestra when its windy doesn't it ? It's different and innovative but will it work?

 

sorry Jenny , but the bottle greenhouse will not work .
what you will really need is some

clear acrylic sheet lods and lots of woods , get all from a local mercant , don`t use b&q or what ever they are more expencive , if you want to keep the badget down as possible try to get some old pallet for the wood and use any glass or plastic you can find.
you can be amazed of what you can do by using pallet wood and other material.

 

Hi Sal73, Sadly my husband didnt build the aviary himself! What I have learnt on this forum so far is to research! I didnt even know the differences between types of glazing! It is interesting to see what other people have and that it is not necessary to have a traditional greenhouse!!

 

I`ve learned the lesson in my allotment years ago , all the peoples around had custom made out recycled wood , glass , old window and door , while me , i spend £100 for a large plastic GH , first wind took it away and finally kids destroyed .........so before you spend lots of money you must think what`s the use of it.
As mine was designed to tropical plant , i was thinking of the raised bed , for better growing and seating area , for enjoy the plants .....no point of growing plants if you will not look and care at them , plus as you growing cactus , it will be even easy , as i usually stop watering them from the end of October up to the end on March , unbelivable i manage to lose the cactus in the house and not the one in the greenhouse.
using thick clear acrylic will save you all the process of bubble wrapping in winter and finally think about electricity inside , for an heating system to be used in extreme cold.
Most of the commercial greenhouse are made to grow veg in summer and not for store plants .

 

I too have very little space. This is my greenhouse benig built. A bog standard 6x6 cut in half joined together mounted on a wooden base(insulated) to make up for a sloping site and give more height. Greenhouses are like ponds, however big you think it should be times it by 4.

 

I think most people are governed by space and cost. I put in a lean-to greenhouse about 10 years ago on the back of my garage which was an area which had become a dumping ground for old pots and general garden paraphernalia. It wasn't the ideal site for a greenhouse and I was told by "experts" I was wasting my money because it doesn't get direct sunlight as the wall it's on is northish facing and anyway there's a high bank about 100m away in each direction. However, I've found that the bank protects it from harsh weather, the garage wall protects it from mid-day sun. Everything I've put into it grows nicely and I can leave it all day while I'm at work and not worry about vents, overheating etc.

I'd say go for what you can afford and have space for, yes there are times (like right now) when you'll wish it was bigger but smaller is better than nothing. The one thing I would advise anyone to have if it's possible is electricity (for lighting more than heating) so that you can work in there in the winter evenings and a nearby water source.

 

Good point. I think electricity for heating is also a big plus. Much cheaper to keep a greenhouse frost-free [for plant raising in late Winter / Spring] with electricity, and a good, sensitive, thermostat than Paraffin or Gas. However, if you want to keep it "warm" or "hot" through the Winter then non-electric heating sources would probably be cheaper.

 

Thanks again for all the replies, So can I just ask if I put succulents, houseplants orchids perhaps? would I need to heat the greenhouse in the winter? I have posted the space where the greenhouse will go eventually after I have organised a new home for the 2 rabbits we have left.

 

Sorry succulent and orchids will not go well togheter , if you need a succulent greenhouse you want a really sunny position , and dry air , while orchids will love shade and high humidity , in both cases and heating will be advisable.
I think you may get away with heating in a succulent greenhouse as you live far south , don`t really have the frost we have up here , if your raqbbit have gone trough , your cactus will do as well , with cactus is not the cold but the wet.

 

Not a very good pic of mine & sadley only 6x4 but a good starter size for me its my 1st greenhouse and my 1st attempt @ growing

Sal I Love Yours and Given Me Some Grate Ideas & insperaition for a project next year because Im Going to build a Seated Arbor this year so wont have time or funds You Have Done a lovely job and it must be lovely to be abull to sit in there

 

Hi Folly Mon,
I dont think my greenhouse , when I get one will much bigger than yours anyway! I am only begining and it looks like yours is perfect for all the seedlings etc. I just wondered what is the thingy behind the little radiator?! Do I need one?!!

 

Get the biggest you can affford, and have space for. Much easier to control temperatures in the Summer once you get to 10x8 or 12x10 or bigger.

More difficult to heat in Winter of course, but you can line with Bubblewrap and partition a heated-area off just large enough for what you need to keep warm.

 

Hi primulas that"s a Parfin Heater Me Persanaly sorry about spelling Dont like them it came with my green house i have used it but they Stink & am smelly & costley to run in my opinun give off carbon monoxide

Its probley best to get some 1s Advice on them who is experanced and knoliageabull on them as i am a abslute begginer thats why iv added the radiator insted of using the Parfin One i use this instead

PS I Love Your Avatar all the best Nick

 

Hi Folly Mon,
Thanks for that, i am hoping really to get away without heating if i can, does it cost lots to heat your greenhouse?
Avatar great isn't he! He was a birthday present! His eyes kind of follow you around, some people get a bit spooked by him!!