Greenhouse next to fence?

Hi everyone.

I've just purchased my first greenhouse :D a 6'x6' aluminium one with polycarb glazing.

The space where I was going to fit it is a little bit of a squeeze (should have got a 6' x 4') so I'm looking around for somewhere else, which is where I need some advice!

The ideal place is behind the west end of my garage, however this would be north of a garden fence. The fence is a normal garden fence height - 6ft I think.

Here's a quick sketch:


I realise it will cast some shade into the greenhouse but have read varying reports on usefulness shade, but also that perhaps i'll end up with tall and spindely plants :eek:

My thinking is that, as the fence only covers the vertical side of the greenhouse, the sun will still be full sun via the angled roof.

I've also read that sometimes, cover from the prevailing wind is also good (I think prevailing wind in Essex is S - S/W; does anyone know this?)

Does anyone have an advice on this position please?

Thanks very much for reading.

Paul

 

Problem with the fence/garage and being north facing is - less about the summer sun - but when the sun is low in the sky - at that point it will get very little light except very late in the day if there is not a house or tree that would lose that too. Can you put it on the other side of the garden?

Mine is South Facing up against the house - it has a brick wall one long side - and my neighbour has kindly placed a shed against one short end. However the light is good, cos no matter how low in the sky it always get some sunshine.

 

Thanks Fran. You're right, I know, it's just that would be the ideal place! Just been out this morning and it that spot gets no sun until 11:30am.

Opposite, despite sticking out and looking less aesthetically pleasing, is already in full sun, so a much better spot in the spring/autumn. I think i'll move it across the other side and live with it being so prominent!

Thanks

 

If you are bothered about the aesthetics you can always screen it a bit by digging a border around it and and planting things like runner beans, sweet peas or even tomatos. They'll provide a bit of shading during the hottest time of year and won't block out the sun early in the season.

 

execllent idea Dave, thanks!

we have a ribes at the back and i was wondering what else to plant to shade it - never thought of tomatoes / sweet peas!

perfect! a combination of summer shade and fragrance

thanks a lot for your help

One more question (always more questions!)

What are everyone's thoughts on a base for the greenhouse?

Initially, and according to the instructions, I was thinking I can place it directly on the (compacted) soil, and then concrete these little metal pegs (look like tent pegs) into the corners.

Not sure how wind-resistant that will be.

The other option is to put down some sand, and then lay paving slabs, and screw into the slabs. Wouild be much more stable, but not sure if I absolutely have to fix the slabs with concrete, or is it enough just to lay them (level of course!)?

Any opinions greatly received!!

 

thanks for your reply. i've read about the east>west position, but as mine is actually square, I assumed it made no difference.

Good to know other people have greenhouses that are not in 'ideal' position, but thast they still function as required!

Just need to work out the best way to lay the base, and I'll be in over the weekend!

Thanks

 

For a 6 by 6 laying on well bedded slabs should be safe enough.

 

Thanks again Dave.

I was thinking of using a 10:1 sand/cement mix and then laying the slabs on the dry mix. Hopefully it won't go anywhere, and will let any water drain through.

Cheers

 

If your greenhouse is well enough sheltered then siting it directly onto slabs would be OK. If it's exposed you will need to fix it by some means.

Another alternative that will give more height to the ridge is to use edge on sleepers underneath the perimeter. It saves drilling (or laying!) slabs and they are much easier to fix heavy duty screw bolts into. The weight of the sleepers is more than enough to anchor it in a gale. It also gives the option of an earth and gravel floor for your greenhouse should you want to plant directly into the ground and it makes for easy(er) re-siting should you decide to move it at a later date.

Just remember not to trip over the increased height of the step!

 

thanks for that - I did think about the possibility of an earth floor, and planting directly into it, but have also read reports about the transmission of soil-borne disease / pests, so am not sure about this. I'm happy with using pots, and although the slabs will be more difficult to move, they're also a lot cheaper than sleepers (unless you know somewhere where they're cheap!?)

Right now, I'm thinking I'll slab all the floor except for a central path which I'll gravel. This means I can sweep water/muck into the gravel and keep things clean.

If the slabs are 450mm square then I should get away with 22 slabs, leaving a 3 slab hole in the middle for the gravel (45cm wide x and 135cm long). There will be an overhand of paving slabs on the outside of about 29cm.

I should be able to attach the galvanised steel base onto the paving slabs by drilling 10mm holes, using rawlplugs and screwing in.

I really can't wait to get some chilli's, peppers and ginger growing! Even going to try a loofer!

 

Should work well enough drkgr33n!

Just for encouragement, here's some pics of a 6x6 on a slab base I did last year.

http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=20;t=000034

 

Wow, that looks great - a really clean job!!

Very inspirational, thanks for that.

I see you used 20 slabs (16 directly in contact with the base). What size where they? I thought 45cm was standard, but looks like they must be 55cm.

I'll print the pic's off and use them as a guide, thanks!!

 

Slabs used was 1 pack of 20 off O.6m sq. (23.5") standard grey paving (Jewsons, also got a tonne bag of sand delivered which left a bit over). For the dry cement mix I got a couple of bags of cement from Focus and used a 5:1 mix. Shop around though because prices differ quit dramatically.

The slabs are a bit thicker than the decorative garden type but manageble for one person. I don't recommend 3'x2' if you are laying them yourself :D

It's not obvious from the pics but there is a slight slope from back to front. This allows the greenhouse gutters to drain forwards and there is now a water barrel at one side for it to colect into.