New greenhouse

Discussion in 'Greenhouse Growing' started by Bashy, Apr 2, 2008.

  1. Bashy

    Bashy Gardener

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    Hi,
    I've finally got my greenhouse up now.
    As I'm relatively new to gardening, I have a stupid question:
    Will this greenhouse be frost free if I do not have a heater in it? (from now on until summer, obviously not in the winter).
    It's not glass, it's thick clear perspex on the front and like, corrugated plastic on the sides, top and rear. Norfolk greenhouses refer to it as Twin Wall.
    Here's a link to it so you experts can take a look.

    http://www.norfolk-greenhouses.co.uk/shop/shop-infopage.php?longref=86~0~SEARCH

    I have seedlings (in cells), plug plants and begonia's I started from bulbs, to put in there.
    I also have dahlia tubers to start in pots this weekend. Can these go in the GH, or should I start them indoors?
    I do have a little parrafin heater, but would prefer not to use it yet (would prefer to wait until next Winter).

    Thanks in advance
     
  2. Sarraceniac

    Sarraceniac Gardener

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    Bashy. As it is under glass it will be pretty frost free even in the middle of winter. It won't be warm but it will not be frosty. The dahlias? No problem. Mine go out in a couple of weeks - in N. Yorkshire.
     
  3. PeterS

    PeterS Total Gardener

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    Hi Bashy. I would agree with John that it will be warmer inside the greenhouse than out, but the temperature could still go below zero inside in winter. I have a wooden summerhouse with a glass front, that is probably better insulated than a greenhouse, and have still recorded temperatures down to -4C inside it.

    The big benefit is that the air will be still inside and still air feels warmer both to humans and to plants. However there shouldn't be any problems from now till next winter.
     
  4. Bashy

    Bashy Gardener

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    Thanks very much guys.
    But just to reiterate, the greenhouse ISN'T made of glass, it's perspex and 'corrugated plastic'
    Is this still ok?
    Will it be ok for the dahlia's. I'll start them of inside in pots for a couple of weeks and put them in the GH in the middle of April if that's ok???
    Cheers
     
  5. Sarraceniac

    Sarraceniac Gardener

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    That is no problem Bashy. In either case.

    My lowest recorded this year in the g.house is -1. I only put it in just before Christmas but caught the coldest bit. Peter is inland from me so gets warmer summers but colder winters. In Essex you should be OK. I think the perspex is a better insulator than glass.
     
  6. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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    Bashy, what you have on most of the walls and roof, is twin walled polycarbonate, which acts like a mini version of double glazing. and with the perspex front, I see no problem heat wise. What you have to beware of with twin wall, is that it can easily be blown out of the frame. The best way to prevent this is to silicone it onto the frame. that also makes for a stronger greenhouse.
     
  7. Bashy

    Bashy Gardener

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    Thanks for the advice John and David.
    I have screwed down the tein wall all around the frame, bolted the GH to the decking all around the base and bolted the back to the fence. I have also masticked all the edges of the twin wall so that water cannot penetrate it.
    The only way that's going anywhere is if the wind takes the whole of the decking!!!
    Cheers
     
  8. daitheplant

    daitheplant Total Gardener

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