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Post by Raymond on Sept 19, 2014 21:05:39 GMT
For lights I've got a single 100 watt bulb. Just about enough light for my 8 foot by 8 foot greenhouse when it's dark outside. I have two 6 foot heat mats, and one soil warming cable bed 8 foot by 2 foot 6. Staging is all home made, wooden, and hinged so it folds flat. Two layers of staging,one just below the eaves(hence look for a greenhouse with high eaves) thus doubling growing space. Scrumpy you are the man ! My talents more painting and decorating. No good at diy like that. Great at ripping stuff down and digging out stumps etc... Your set up sounds great and the work you did in your garden with your storage etc... Looks fantastic. The lights I was talking about where the t5 you mentioned. I need to try some woodwork as I want to build a basic frame for covers in back dahlia bed. For the small and med Dec and cactus. Front garden can have the poms and balls and non show varieties. Wish my dad was down here he is great at that sort of stuff. At least show me and I do it. |
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Post by Raymond on Sept 19, 2014 21:09:06 GMT
scrumpy can you post a pic of your greenhouse staging ?
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Post by scrumpy on Sept 19, 2014 21:52:20 GMT
Will do. Am having a major clean up in there, nearly finished. as for I would maybe hold off on that until you've seen how things grow. Covers are the icing on the cake, but you need to bake the cake first  |
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Post by sweetpea on Sept 19, 2014 22:15:49 GMT
Raymond Thought I would mention that for years I never had a greenhouse. Gradually worked up from cloches and cold frames until my first g'house an 8' x 12' Robinsons complete with staging. All it cost me was time to dismantle it and transport to my garden. The next g'house which was for my allorment was another 12' x 8' red cedar one plus some staging. again it cost nothing, just dismantle and transport. The next was a 20' x 19' polytunnel which I did pay for though I can't recall how much. I then moved to wales and buiilt my own out of the remnants of one already here but later I paid £50.00 for anothe 12' x 8' which is in use at present. No heating or leccy although in my previous garden I used a paraffin heater which was fine for all my propogating of dahlias, fuchsias and coleus plus some other stuff. My point being that it needn't cost you a fortune to obtain a g'house or to raise plants. Also during my working time I was away from home more than I was home and nobody helped to look after my stuff. Problems are only answers waiting to be solved. If you still want advice re buying a g'house the stock answer is get the biggest you can afford as no matter what you get it will never be big enough. Good luck.
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Post by Raymond on Sept 19, 2014 22:23:13 GMT
Thanks sweetpea great advise. I am going to look in local papers etc... See if any going cheap. If need be Will use the garage for the dahlias with make do heat etc...I will find ways. Can be resourceful sometimes. Just like shiny new things Don't we all ! Take care and have a great wekend. Regards Raymond |
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Post by Raymond on Sept 19, 2014 22:26:52 GMT
Will do. Am having a major clean up in there, nearly finished. as for I would maybe hold off on that until you've seen how things grow. Covers are the icing on the cake, but you need to bake the cake first I can bake great cakes scrumpy just growing dahlias I am rubbish at ! Haha was thinking to go the stock fencing support so if I do I may as well put In large enough and strong enough main posts that I can then build a frame onto for covers. |
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Post by daitheplant on Sept 20, 2014 19:24:54 GMT
Nor the heat mats and water butts. Or the mulch. Vaseline would help prevent earwig damage though.  why no heat mats? Because they are not needed. Plants grown "cold" are stronger, last longer and the flower colour is better. |
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Post by scrumpy on Sept 20, 2014 19:38:16 GMT
So here's a few pictures. First of the top layer, this is in 3 sections that all join together.   Then the bottom layer, again 3 sections that bolt together   and joined together  They are joined with the bolts shown. A 2" wooden batten is secured to the greenhouse framework with the angle joint as shown. You need half cropped nuts and bolts to fix them to the aluminium channels. Then just a simple hinge to join the framework, again, 2" x 2".  The frame is covered with twin wall polycarbonate sheeting. Clear acrylic in hindsight would probably be better. I use the sheeting because you can lay a capillary mat easily over it. Pictures of the heat mat, with my vals candy "sport" cuttings just taken, and of the ground level hot bed made with sand and soil warming cables.  and finally, probably the most useful bit of the lot, the cold frame. Just made a wooden surround for it to go on, makes it easier on the old back  |
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Post by Raymond on Sept 20, 2014 20:18:59 GMT
scrumpy that is a superb set up.Very impressed with you Joinery skills Graham. Super practical well thought out and means you can use every inch of the space productively. I think beyond my current capabilities but I will look into it. Looking on gumtree for second hand greenhouses. Everything I like in Cumbria or Dorset so to far to travel. I am starting to clear the bottom where it will go. Got to get rid of 2 spruce, two other large shrubs and also take loads of an overhanging tree. Then got to dig out an ancient filled in pond. That has a huge shrub growing in it. I think I can get an 8 x 8 or 8 x 10 in need to measure up properly. But well impressed with your greenhouse and cold frame. You showing tomorrow ?
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Post by scrumpy on Sept 20, 2014 21:02:59 GMT
We shall have to agree to disagree on that.
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Post by scrumpy on Sept 20, 2014 21:07:09 GMT
scrumpy that is a superb set up.Very impressed with you Joinery skills Graham. Super practical well thought out and means you can use every inch of the space productively. I think beyond my current capabilities but I will look into it. Looking on gumtree for second hand greenhouses. Everything I like in Cumbria or Dorset so to far to travel. I am starting to clear the bottom where it will go. Got to get rid of 2 spruce, two other large shrubs and also take loads of an overhanging tree. Then got to dig out an ancient filled in pond. That has a huge shrub growing in it. I think I can get an 8 x 8 or 8 x 10 in need to measure up properly. But well impressed with your greenhouse and cold frame. You showing tomorrow ? If you can find a timber merchant that cuts to size, the joinery skills involved are screwing bits of wood together Just needs a bit of careful measuring beforehand, and a spirit level. |
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Post by lesley on Sept 21, 2014 17:39:22 GMT
Dear forum, I only have small plastic greenhouses currently and I am looking to buy later this year or early next year a proper greenhouse for the back of the garden. In a semi shaded spot. Approx 6 x 8 in size. Mainly for dahlia propagation,raising my own seed and young plants and over wintering some in pots.I will install power lighting and heating into it also want water butts near as well. Does anyone have any recommendations on brands with good build quality , sturdy but not mega money. Budget is around £700 to £1000 max. Rhino look good but stretching the budget. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Ps so impressed with Esthers greenhouses immaculate. All the best Raymond [/quot Why don't you just look on line or in a good gardening Magazine, there's some great deals at the moment as its the end of season. |
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Post by Raymond on Sept 21, 2014 18:04:55 GMT
Hi lesley been looking online but so much choice it gets overwhelming. A bit like choosing plants and bulbs. I just thought some people could recommend a quality make that is not super expensive. Looking at elite now seems to be a good one. Also looking for second hand ones on gumtree and eBay. If you have seen any good deals in magazines I would really appreciate if you would let me know. I currently am not subscribed to any. My sincere thanks Raymond  Ps your garden is beautiful saw your thread |
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Post by lesley on Sept 22, 2014 7:12:05 GMT
Hi Raymond, we got ours from here www.bournebuildings.co.uk at a very good deal, I've been very pleased with it, but I shall certainly look in the mag for you. |
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Post by Raymond on Sept 22, 2014 11:48:48 GMT
Many thanks lesley will need to pay them a visit |
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