The Greenhouse Thread

[Daisy]

Nana was asking on Chat about starting up a greenhouse, so can we all give her advice and ideas and talk about our greenhouses (whether real or 'wished for').

[Daisy]

My greenhouse is fairly traditional - all glass (toughened to withstand young children, footballs and low flying aircraft!). The only slightly unusual thing is it's wider than it is long because that fitted the space better. It get sun for over half the day, but not all day. I've got an opening sky light and some slatted panes at ground level for ventilation in hot weather. They're fitted with automatic openers which operate when the temp gets to 23C. I decided I wanted to have soil in it so I could grow into the soil, rather than paving it and only being able to use pots. I've got staging down the right hand side, and at this time of the year have an old pasting table across the back - lots of space to put propagators and pots and trays of seeds. There are drop down shelves on the three walls which I use when necessary.

It's quite close to the house, so I had an electric cable put in with a waterproof socket. I've got a small electric fan heater and three electric propagators. Two of them I've had for years and one is a bit newer, but none of them was expensive.

Every couple of years I dig about 6" of soil out and put it on the garden (or compost heap) and buy some fresh soil to keep down the pests and diseases that can accumulate.

So that's the general basics. If I was starting all over again, I wouldn't do it any differently, except I'd buy better staging - mine's two separate pieces and one is very rickety and difficult to keep clean. I'd have something I could put a heated mat on - I think it's healthier for the seedlings than a closed-in propagator and gives them more light.

I'll take some photos tomorrow, and tell you about some of the highs and lows of things I've tried to grow.

[Oma]

Although we don't have one now in our old house we had a very large greenhouse . Sounds a lot like yours is Daisy only

we had paving down .

We had double staging down both sides I stored stuff on the shelves underneath . Also had a bit at the end I used for my heater . In the summer that space was used for Tomatoes Peppers ect .

I spent many a happy hour potting on pricking out etc just me and my radio

[Plantaholic]

The greenhouse that was here when we moved in was very old so we replaced it with an metal one. Most of my growing were vegetables for my OH to plant in his veg garden. I did have tomato plants in grow bags but nothing exotic like melons. I used quite a lot of root trainers (I think they are called). My greenhouse wasn't heated and the grape vine provided shade.

[Enfys]

I thought I’d posted here. Ut maybe I was having a senior moment.🤪

We used to have a proper glass greenhouse when we lived our our house over the road. I grew tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers and we had a lovely black grape vine. Beautiful bunches of grapes, I can taste them now.

We didn’t bother to have one when we moved here, haven’t really missed it. It’s only recently with all that’s going one we thought we try a mini and see how we get on.

So, it’s a plastic covered contraption with 3 or 4 shelves. I have ordered lettuce, radish and tomato seeds, thought we’d start small and will also use it for cuttings. A friend also has one and she has put hers in the corner of her conservatory whilst it is still fairly cold at night, we’re thinking we might do the same, I don’t know if seedlings would grow if we left them outside at night even under cover.

so I will keep you posted on how we get on, at least it’s something else to think about. 🌿🌺

[Nanto2girls]

We have decent sized greenhouse,but have to be honest and say it's hubby's domain,not mine.
He has spent many a happy hour in it.
At the moment he has got sweet pea seedlings growing.
Doesn't grow as many of his own plants as he used to.
Always grows tomatoes, which we love straight out of the greenhouse.

[Daisy]

My greenhouse looks s though it's got a lot of nothing in it at the moment. I hope the little seeds I've sown this week are quietly doing their stuff out of sight!

Even in this high, cold wind, it's warm enough for the vents to open, but I think it will be chilly tonight.

[Daisy]

Oh dear! Looking at those photos, it's time we got on with cleaning the patio!

[Grauntie Mag]

I have just now emerged from mine! It’s a half and half job. Half the roof is glazed too. It’s perfect for me now as I can store tools on one side, have a work bench on the other side and across the back. It’s definitely my happy place. 😁 I may paint it soon, it looks a bit tatty.

[Plantaholic]

Very professional looking greenhouse Daisy, love it

Yours Grauntie is lovely, a happy place.

I used to love to lose myself pricking out plants ready to grow on in the veg garden. I also loved taking cuttings. My greenhouse is just used for storage now.

[Daisy]

Plant - mine had got to being an extension of the shed last year, so it's been worth spending a couple of days turning it round into a greenhouse again.

Grauntie - that's the perfect combination. I rather like it as it is - it looks like a happy place.

[Gemini]

OH has moved our garden chairs into the greenhouse now the lovely spell has gone for now. She says it will be warm enough to sit in there

I like that half shed half greenhouse look Grauntie.
Nice greenhouse Daisy, its wider than ours.

[Daisy]

Thank you , Gem. Unfortunately it doesn't make my seeds grow like magic!! Your greenhouse is probably longer - and a better shape for sitting in.

But, today there's a small result. It's early days and baby steps, but the Lupins I sowed 5 days ago are germinating>

[Plantaholic]

GD1 and her partner planted some baked beans in my greenhouse!! I had some compost left from last year so I put it on the border.

[Daisy]

Plant - baked beans? I'm sure the border was grateful for the left over compost.