PLease talk me into buying a greenhouse

[tlck9]

I'm undecided about a greenhouse and the benefits. Having had a poly tunnel which didnt stand up to a bit of a breeze, I'm wondering if to invest or not.

I believed that you could start earlier crops but then reading here, still cant put toms and chillies in till May. Being on an allotment, although it is fairly good around here and have yet to see any vandals.

And then there is the cost....

My OH purely said for the cost of a greenhouse he could keep us supplied with tomotoes and chillies from the local greengrocers, and still have change for years and years.

Although if the greenhouse was at home rather than at the allotment, I would feel better about the investment

I'm feeling inclined to agree but then isnt the whole point that I enjoy gardening and that I want to grow my own.

[Flummery]

Go on, go on, gon on! You know you want to!
I love mine. I grow stuff in winter too - salad leaves and greens. I wouldn't get much in the way of toms here if I didn't have one either. It's lovely to play in when the weather's a bit grim but you need a gardening fix too (like today!)

[Shadylane]

Gently point out to you OH that growing veg isn't about saving money it's about the joy of producing something yourself, watching it develop and then eating it, appreciating how much better it tastes when you've grown it yourself, the connection you develop with nature, the exercise, the therapeutic aspects, the positive effect on your soul and if that doesn't work tell him he can always go and listen to the footy in it.

[Glutton4...]

OIY TLCK9 - Buy a Greenhouse - you know you want to!

I know, subtlety isn't one of my strong points!

[Windy-Sindy]

Buy a greenhouse and don't let your OH play with it!

I would be inclined to keep the GH at home rather than the allotment. Easier access to fresh salad obviously, plus it would be easier to control the conditions if it is at home and not at the allotment. I have no experience, but imagine your tender crops could easily perish on a hot day if you are not on hand to ventilate, water and shade. Automatic gizmos are available, but I would be happier with it in the back garden (where I could stare lovingly at it).

[Patchninja]

Tick, you're in Cornwall so I expect you have about the same climate as me. I've had tons of stuff in the greenhouse since February abd we hadf a stinker of a winter too. It gives you a real advantage over what you can start and grow on. My toms have been in the unheated GH since march as I have no south facing windows. Courgettes have been started off in Feb too. I've just planted out a lot but until the other day I had :
Lettuce - several kinds
toms
courgettes 2 kinds
betroots
spinach
kohl rabi
sprouting brocc
cabbages - several kinds
melon
edible flowers
spring onions
Potatoes
herbs......flowers.........
I agree - it's not just about cost, but the joy of growing and playing in a nice sheltered spot when it's raining!
I think it would be better at your house if you can.
That's just my opinion.

[taff]

buy one




youlive in cornwall, the weather warms up quicker,you can put toms and chillis in there frommarch or sow them in there[best to have in your back garden rather than allotment], buy a secondhand one, even cheaper, they're just like tigger, fun fun fun fun fun!!



P.S. Buy one.

[binley100]

buy buy buybuy buy buybuy buy buybuy buy buybuy buy buybuy buy buybuy buy buy

You know you want to

[Pies]

You're about to buy a greenhouse

New Budget Greenhouse

[bishop]

buy one they are fantastic toms, chillis, etc,i have mine at home got it second hand, its over 10 yrs old, still looks great, the enjoyment out weighs the cost.

[tlck9]

thanks for the comments, I;ve seen one at B&q with polycarb panels and base.

I have to consider if I have it at the allotment, then I cannot put a concrete base down, do I need one, or could it go on grass?

[Pies]

screw it to those heavy fence posts or scaffold boards,

[Patchninja]

Mine's not on concrete. I filled pots with cement that I placed at the four corners of the base, set at ground level to make sure the base was absolutely level then built the GH on top. I cover the earth in the GH with a large plastic sheet as I find it easy to keep clean and tidy. DH has gravel on the floor of his. I like to be able to sweep up spills etc.
You'll love yours!

[kentvegplot]

Yes buy one - but if cost is an issue, you may find someone locally who has given up growing and would be happy for you to take the ghouse away....that's how I got ours. FiL said he was going to put in on the skip, I said NO! and OH went and dismantled, brought it home and put it up again, with only one piece of glass being damaged.

I overwintered lots of plants - not as many as I should, lots of casualties but I do have replacements for lots since I kept them indoors (with a little heat to keep frost off). Now it's stuffed full of tomatoes plants, peppers and cucumbers to follow shortly.

Do have it at home if you can - you'll want to wander into it every day and see what's growing

[Flummery]

Mine's on garden soil. It has a metal base which is placed on bricks here and there to level it. Then you can grow direct instead of in the dreaded growbags.