Potting shed base options? Standard wooden base or open to the soil?

[Stan79]

Hi folks,

I have just won a potting shed off eBay and was wondering about the base for it. It comes with a standard wooden base which i would normally pour a level concrete base for (in my own garden not on an allotment) but i am half toying with the idea of digging a trench, filling with concrete to fix the shed walls to and leaving the inside of the trench and therefore the floor of the shed open to the soil thinking it would be better for growing tomatoes, drainage, etc.

I hope that makes sense? If so, what do you reckon? If not, please ask and i'll try and explain better!

Many thanks,

Stan

[mesteve]

It's always better to let air serculate around the base if a wooden shed to prevent rot

[jonohanson]

I probably went a bit OTT with my new shed base, I dug out some foundations and filled with concrete, then built 1 block high breeze block wall (to just above soil level), then I added some 12*4 planks of wood I had lying around to straddle the walls, then the shed on top.

This means all the wood is off the soil, and lots of circulation underneath, should hopefully lengthen the life of the shed.

[Rustybean]

I levelled the site put down weed membrane and gravel. Then built a frame of joists and decking so free flow of air underneath - been up for 3 years and very firm.

[veggiechicken]

i am half toying with the idea of digging a trench, filling with concrete to fix the shed walls to and leaving the inside of the trench and therefore the floor of the shed open to the soil thinking it would be better for growing tomatoes, drainage, etc.

Why would you grow tomatoes in a shed? They need lots of light!

[Stan79]

Why would you grow tomatoes in a shed? They need lots of light!

Cos it's a potting shed... front wall will be completely glass which will be facing south. Part of the side wall too to catch the last rays of evening sun. Inside will be painted white to brighten up the inside.

[veggiechicken]

Aah, right, gotcha

[Stan79]

Not so mad really!

[veggiechicken]

Who - You or me ?

[Stan79]

Both!

Hahahaha!

[Scarlet]

It comes with a standard wooden base which i would normally pour a level concrete base for (in my own garden not on an allotment) but i am half toying with the idea of digging a trench, filling with concrete to fix the shed walls to and leaving the inside of the trench and therefore the floor of the shed open to the soil thinking it would be better for growing tomatoes, drainage, etc.

I hope that makes sense?
Stan

I'm confused!! (Doesn't take much)..... Do you mean you want to leave the floor inside as soil and not use the wooden floor?

[Two_Sheds]

If the shed does have a wooden floor, make sure and stuff chicken wire underneath it, to deter rats

[VirginVegGrower]

If the shed does have a wooden floor, make sure and stuff chicken wire underneath it, to deter rats

Or put onto slabs. TS is correct - mice and rats will nest underneath if not.

[Stan79]

I'm confused!! (Doesn't take much)..... Do you mean you want to leave the floor inside as soil and not use the wooden floor?

Potentially

[Scarlet]

My greenhouse is pretty miserable without a solid path, wet, muddy and weeds grow in it if its not covered over. I think you would be much better off with the floor in place.
Without it you may find a few lodgers! A nice warm place for rats and mice.