greenhouse

I am considering buying a greenhouse for the first time. I would like to be able to store geranius and other tender plants through the winter. What will I need to do to make the greenhouse a suitable environment?

 

A good question! Ideally some form of heat - whether paraffin (which you can get in B+Q, etc) or electricity, (if you're able to have that installed.
Water is great to have handy, but if you're using a rain-butt - don't use the water from it on any seedlings, in case of damping-off - a constant problem.
I've just set up a new greenhouse, and have made staging of various sorts the main priority - lots of different ways of having seed trays of different types. You need to find out what works for you. There are lots of cheap propagator kits from B+Q Wilko, and others, that don't need extra heat - have a look and seee what's cheap, and see what reaquirements are on the seed packets of what you want to grow - then decide! You're welcome to e-mail me directly - I'm no expert but I have a fair amount of experience in growing things!

 

Hi there and welcome. A couple more tips for you - ventilation is important in a greenhouse, to keep the air moving and reduce the problem with moulds and pests. So make sure your greenhouse has plenty of opening vents beside the door - preferrably with automatic openers, so as the temperature rises the vents open.

Light - a greenhouse needs light in the winter when the sun is low - so ideally it should be exposed south and west. But bear in mind that you may need shading in the summer if you want to use it for growing things.

Protecting the door - I have found that too keep birds accidently entering, you need some form of loose screen - that doesn't hinder your entry but will put off the wildlife. Means you can leave the door open in the summer.

Heat - if you want to use it for overwintering things, consider getting an electrician to wire it up. Doesn't cost a heck of a lot, but would enable you to chose when and if you use thermostatically controlled fan heaters, and lights. Parafin heaters, whilst good at keeping things frost free in the main, have their down side - as I recall well

 

Everything Fran says is spot on. Re putting in electricity - there is a thing called Armadillo - it's a way of putting in electricity yourself - the only one now that's allowed if you're not a pro. Two Wests and Elliot have it. They have pretty much anything you need for a greenhouse - well worth a look (but they're not cheap)http://www.TwoWests.co.uk Hope this helps