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  • My new potting area (progress thread)

    I thought I’d start this thread to share my progress in creating a new potting/utility area for my garden. Partly as I find these threads interesting and thought others might, partly to give myself a kick up the backside and get started and partly to get any advice, ideas or tips.

    A bit of background, last year we had our garden redesigned and landscaped. We are very excited to see how our new borders and planting schemes progress through the year! Part of the garden is a dedicated area for growing fruit and veg. I’ve got two 6x3ft raised beds and two 2x4 ground level beds. I’m using the raised beds for a square foot gardening system - not much in there now but I do have some strawberry plants (still dormant but healthy looking), some onions, garlic and broad beans in there. The ground beds are being used for soft fruit. Raspberries on one side, a compact dwarf blackberry and a tayberry on the other. The tayberry will be trained along the fence.

    So now I’m left with some space around our rear garage. I had planned to utilise the rear of our shed on one side of the garage as a potting space but I’ve since promised my daughter I’d demolish the shed, put up a smaller one and turn it into a play area to accommodate her swing.

    So I’m left with the narrow space between the garage and the fence. It’s about 1.2m wide and 6m long so I think I can work with it. I’ve attached some photos.

    The main space:

    Click image for larger version

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    We had planned to use this space for a rotary washing line but I’m trying to think of somewhere else for this so might be able to make use of this space too.

    Click image for larger version

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    So, the initial plan is clear the space, treat the weeds and level it all out (it’s mostly a mix of pea shingle and rubble). Then lay some weed membrane. I’ve kept the old slabs in the photo above to lay along the bottom of the garage wall to provide a level base for a potting bench/shelving units/maybe a leanto greenhouse. Then top the whole lot off with 10mm shingle.

    For the far end, there’s already a diverter on the drainpipe but no water butt so putting one in seems like a no brainer. I think there might be room at the end for a small compost bin too. I’ve got my eye on one of those hot bins.

    I’m still trying to decide what I want to do in terms of workspace. I quite like IKEA’s HINDO range which includes matching shelving unit, potting bench and cabinet as well as a greenhouse cabinet. Some shelving on the wall, maybe some plastic bins for storing compost etc.

    As far as a greenhouse goes, the IKEA option seems like a good, cheaper alternative to a proper lean to greenhouse and better than the cheapest blowaway option. I’m wondering if I might be better off putting it against the fence on the left in the second photo. To give you an idea of sun direction in the second photo I’m facing south east. I had expected to get some sunlight down the side of the garage as the sun gets higher but I’ve since discovered our neighbours, who are having an extension, will be relocating their shed to the corner of their garden on the other side of the fence which will block out even more light.

    Anyway, first step will be to get the area prepared so I will be back with progress photos soon I hope!
    Last edited by TheCyclingProgrammer; 22-02-2018, 01:50 AM.

  • #2
    �80 for the IKEA�s HINDO which looks like a shelving unit with glass doors and no roof but a flat shelf on the top! Take a look at the Space Saver Greenhouse just under twice as the price but will accommodate 18 seed trays and you can add additional timber shelf's to the front if need be.

    Click image for larger version

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    I made a potting bench out of old timber garden furniture on the allotment

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    I added some legs to the front of the bench that is fixed to the table and made a frame to support some polycarbonate sheeting to make a covered flat roof to the bench.
    Last edited by Cadalot; 22-02-2018, 06:17 AM.
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    • #3
      Cadalot - yes, I'm not completely sure about the Hindo greenhouse. I like the rest of the range and I'm definitely going to get some of the shelve units and the cabinet unit as these will be great for storing pots, containers, fertilisers etc. I looked at the instructions for the space saver greenhouse you recommended and it made me itch!

      I can't completely make my mind up about the potting table either. It's basically a choice between the Hindo unit from Ikea, which at least matches the rest and is nice and compact, or something like this:

      https://www.greenfingers.com/product...&pf_id=LS6537D

      I'm still tempted just to get a cheap blow away greenhouse and fix it to the fence for stability for now and upgrade at a later date.

      Anyway, I finally got around to ordering a bulk bag of shingle and landscaping fabric so I can get on with clearing everything out, levelling it off and putting down fresh shingle this weekend which is a start! I need to get on as it's almost time to start doing some gardening
      Last edited by TheCyclingProgrammer; 07-03-2018, 02:21 PM.

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      • #4
        Not as much progress said hoped today due to weather but I did manage to clear the space, remove weeds and level and lightly compact the ground ready for laying weed membrane and the 10mm shingle.

        I�ve got some heavy old concrete paving slabs and I�m thinking about putting these down as a base for my shelving and potting bench. I�m not sure whether or not it�s worth it.

        I�m still leaning towards the Ikea range of shelving and the small cabinet and potting bench but as for a greenhouse I think I�m going to get a sturdy blowaway grow house thing and secure it to the fence. I think it will do me for this year at least.

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        • #5
          If you want shelving for outdoors, have a look at these, also at Ikea. Fairly sturdy metal shelving unit for less than a tenner
          HYLLIS Shelving unit In/outdoor 60x27x140 cm - IKEA
          https://nodigadventures.blogspot.com/

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          • #6
            That Hindo "greenhouse" - does it have any ventilation or do you have to leave the doors open to cool it down? What if its windy?
            Its really just a storage unit with glass doors. The solid top and shelves will prevent any overhead light so all the plants will lean towards the doors for light.
            I don't think it will be much use as a "greenhouse" - save your money.

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            • #7
              Finally decided to stop procrastinating, I went with the Hindo potting bench and an open shelf and cabinet combo but skipped the “greenhouse”. Went with what seems to be a decent quality plastic greenhouse:

              https://www.outdoorlivinguk.co.uk/sm...x-station.html

              I’ve also managed to get the weed fabric and shingle down.

              It all arrives middle of next week so should have some more progress to share next weekend.

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