Greenshed/ shedhouse

[Gro-Bag]

I've no idea if it will work but I put up my 6 x 4 shed on the allotment today and substituted the roof with polycarbonate panels - it has a window too, and seems very light inside. Am thinking of insulating it and making it all white inside with a few mirrors to bounce light around and seeing if its good as a kind of cold-frame-ish greenhousey type thing as well as somewhere to store tools etc. Has anyone else tried this? Any good?

[rana]

I have replaced the roof of my last 3 (pent) sheds with clear panels. For one you can see what you are doing in the shed, It is also particularly useful in the spring for trays of seedlings and in the winter provides a useful shelter for overwintering tender plants. I have never understood why commercial shed designs always include a solid (wood) roof.
Eventually a plastic roof will go brittle and may need replacing after 10 years or so.

[Two_Sheds]

imo it still won't be light enough to act as a greenhouse, esp when you get dust,leaves and bird droppings on the roof

[dogsbody]

Probably wont substitute completely for a greenhouse but as a "light shed" i.e. one where you are able to work without artificial light, perhaps even on summer nights quite late and where seed trays that are not heat dependent gain a better start due to improved light condidtions (potting shed anyone?) then give it a whirl!

More to the point, let us all know how it goes please!!

[Gro-Bag]

Lol, yes it did occur to me this afternoon that what I've made is in fact a kind of potting shed!

It is lovely and light. I'll keep a broom handy for keeping the roof clean, put a high-ish table in near the window with a mirror the other side, get some seedlings going on it and keep you posted.

[Mr Potato Head]

I like the idea and have thought about it as the pent shed I have been given (not put up yet) will require a new roof.

Just seems to make a lot of sense to use clear plastic.

[arpoet]

I turned an old shed into a greenhouse a few years ago.
It has a single slight sloping roof made from corrigated clear plastic sheets, and old glass and perspect sides.

I grew tomatoes in it for years until i got a real greenhouse and it helped harden off 1000s of veg plants.
Its still in use today.
If you look at this video, you will see it half way though.
Dailymotion - Our little house - a Leute & Familie video
It cost me a about 15 quid to convert it using as much recycled stuff as i could find in local skips and only had to buy thing like screws and bolts.
Roger

[Gro-Bag]

Well the experiment has been a great success so far. Tomatos doing well in front of window, if not quite so well further back. No problems with leaves etc. blocking light - rains too much for that, lol. Grew on all sorts of wee plantlets in the Spring and got a head start with them and it is a nice light place to sit when its raining, I can see what I'm doing into the dusk - I love it. It isn't as good as a greenhouse of course, but it has made a small shed twice as useful and I think it will be useful all year round. I can't understand they don't come with clear roofs either!

[Gro-Bag]

I can see it gradually morphing over the years into something like the arpoet version above : - )

[arpoet]

Glad you got the shed into a growing area. I use mine as a cold greenhouse and have got some over wintering plants in it right now, plus is a store room for pots and trays, composts, etc.
Roger

[Potstubsdustbins]

Would it be possible to install a high level shelf for your seed trays etc. That would give them the light they need plus a little extra warmth. I even have one in my regular GH and it helps in the early part of the year.

Colin

[Snadger]

Heres one I built earlier (About five years ago).

I left it on my other plot after successfully growing tomatoes in it and its now been painted and is used by the present allotmenteer.

Cripes that piccie of Marylyn in it brings back memories!