Which growhouse to choose?

[sadowska]

I’m looking for a growhouse/mini greenhouse – mainly for raising seedlings and hardening off but also probably to grow peppers, tomatoes etc. Probably 4-6 feet wide and 2 feet deep, with the option to adapt the shelving so I can get tall plants in there (or one that’s 3 feet deep with shallower shelves – but I haven’t seen any like that!). Needs to have a base and a back really. Polycarb or acrylic glazing, not glass! I like the ones with lids as well as doors so the upper part is almost a cold frame. My wish list is probably not unique so hopefully some other readers will benefit from your collective wisdom!

I’ve seen a number of suitable looking growhouses between £100-200 which is what I want to spend, but then again I don’t want to throw good money after bad by getting one that looks terrible and falls apart. If these are just no good then on balance I’d prefer to buy a cheap blowaway for now and negotiate a larger budget in a few years!

The main contenders seem to be Gardman extra large growhouse, and Botanico Let’s Grow (they do a small and large one, thinking of getting both so I can have two separate environments for seedlings and for plants/hardening off!). The Haxnicks one is very small so not really considering it...

Does anyone have experience of the different brands available – which ones are more or less sturdy, long lasting, ok looking? Do you happen to know if they can be fitted with louvres and/or auto vents (otherwise I’ll just regret it!)

While I’m at it, it would be great to have some advice on position. The plan is to use the south facing fence – loads of sun until early evening. But I’m concerned it will overheat very easily. The other option is a west facing wall which is very sunny from early afternoon until late.

Gardman:
Gardman Extra Large Wooden Growhouse)

Botanico:
Botanico Let's Grow Wooden Mini Growhouse: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors
Botanico Let's Grow Wooden Growhouse: Amazon.co.uk: Garden & Outdoors

[sadowska]

Other options I'm considering - does anyone have experience of Waltons or Palram greenhouses please?

I'm not sure I can go to see m/any of these at a garden centre as the ones locally don't tend to stock them. So it's a bit of a leap of faith ordering one without any clue to the quality!


4 x 2 Walton's Mini Greenhouse
Palram 4ft x 2ft Lean-to greenhouse

[sadowska]

hang on, think the Waltons may be horticultural glass which counts it out unfortunately... interested to see the close up photos on the link too - is this supposed to show that it's well put together?? To me it looks full of knots, splintered wood and ill fitting joins! Am I being picky?!

[Jeanied]

Focus had a double width one for £199 (approx 46")- polycarbonate double wall. It may be worth checking if they are selling them off cheaper ( I had my eye on it but it is a bit too wide for the slot I have for it). It would be a good idea to put a fresh coat of paint on any wooden growhouse to keep it going longer.

[sadowska]

Do you mean this one?
Mini Greenhouse | Greenhouse At FocusDIY

Unfortunately the exact same one is available through B&Q as well, and the 2 reviews for it on their website say it's terrible (poor quality wood, won't hold up). So that pretty much put me off!

I'm going to keep an eye on Focus for the aluminium frame one they sell though. Has anyone got that?

[Incy]

I have a palram 8'x10' which is great. I have a second one waiting to be put up at the lottie.
Our friend also bought one after admiring mine and he too is very happy with it.
I don't know whether the lean to ones are any good but certainly would recommend their standard shape ones.

[roitelet]

The Palram one looks good to me.

The problem with lean to greenhouses is that the plants will all grow forward to the light source. Shelves in them make the problem worse as the light is cut out from above. Think carefully about siting it as they heat up very quickly and have a habit of frying plants. So if you are away all day you risk coming back to a lot of damage.

I have had greenhouses in the past from 25ft x 12ft to 6 x 4 The small one was even harder to control the temperature in than the large one. I am resisting the urge to get a greenhouse and make do with small cheap blow aways and cloches.

Best of luck

[sadowska]

Thanks for the responses! I was drawn to the palram, useful to know they do good stuff. Siting is tricky, the south facing option is easiest but perhaps the west wall is less risky as the sun only really hits some time after midday (and it's against the house wall so easier to keep frost free). On the other hand it will be a pain to negotiate with the oh.
I have some bamboo in pots, would that be enough shading if it was south facing? Or does the small size mean it will overheat whatever I do...