which one in your opinion and value for money!

[darcyvuqua]

right guys i am ummmming and arrrrrrring whether to buy

1. a polytunnel

2. a glass green house

3. a polycarbonate green house

I dont think i will be going for a polytunnel and glass green houses are firstly very expensive with possible damage to glass

a polycarbonate green house i think has more value for money in respect to you get more area for your money and i think you will get less damage to the polycarbonate

however im a newbeeeee so please post answers and why many thanks darcy

[veggiechicken]

Size matters, Darcy! -So does budget and space available. Is it for the garden or an allotment? Any safety issues with children?
I've always had glass greenhouses - and most of them have been free from friends and neighbours!!
You can't get better value for money than that.

[darcyvuqua]

Its for my allotment space is not an issue as i have only had it 3 weeks still clearing and sorting it out it does have a green house on it already only 2 bits of glass on it and no door either
Im just getting rid of it!
I want to buy a new or decent used one even better if its free i want something that will last as im quite young hopefully 20+ years my children will not be a problem with it as they know how to behave im thinking of getting a second one in time
I have just moved here 3 months ago so i dont know anyone to ask however i have asked a few of the old boys on the allotment but they seem to be very clicky and as a young man they have lots of advice to give as long as you do it there way if that makes sense
thanks for your reply veggie iam fairly new to this and i want to learn by my own mistakes at times but when its deciding on a greenhouse and i dont have any idea what to get could prove a costly mistake

[rustylady]

Hi Darcy. I have a Norfolk polycarbonate greenhouse. It was an absolute bu@@er to put together, and in a strong wind the panels sometimes pop out. Could you add your location to your profile please, then it will show up on your posts and save us having to keep asking whereabouts you are. You can see from my posts that I'm in Lowestoft.

Do you have a local freecycle group?

[darcyvuqua]

hi rusty yeah just edited my location im in wales i have had a look on freecycle, preloved, ebay and my local paper yet nothing on offer

[veggiechicken]

Hi again Darcy and Croeso. If the frame of your greenhouse is solid you could reglaze it or maybe polycarb it. It would save you some pennies now and you could always get another one or a polytunnel at a later date when your plot is sorted.

[darcyvuqua]

how and where would i start with re-glazing im not entirely sure its up to much its very old and even has quite alot of rust i would have to move it to a new location as it does not fit in with my plans where it is currently sitting

[veggiechicken]

Moving a greenhouse frame is quite easy - without glass! If its fixed to a base, unfix it, find a couple of willing helpers, pick it up and walk it to the new position. Aluminium greenhouses are very light!
You'd reglaze it in the same way as you'd glaze a new greenhouse.
If you post a few photos and its measurements someone here will be able to advise you, I'm sure!
At the very worst you could cover it with netting and turn it into a fruit cage.

[lottie dolly]

we recently moved a 8x6 complete with glass,DH laid a scafold pole each side just underneith it,it was lifeted up for this via a sack barrow with bricks under,then push the greenhouse down the poles,repete the proces until your happy,as for age no bother,i have my dad old halls one,it's got to be well over 30 years old,plus house move,and several locations in the garden,glass has to be replaced over time anyway,so don't dismiss buying new,a lottie neighbour got some pollyc????/ and sealed them into the ally frame,so far all is well,also bear in mind,a lot of us knock our own up for next to nothing,have a look on the diy thread,different idea's to chew over,and save money,thats what it's all about,
forgot to say,b&q,used to sell the frames and glass separate,worth a look,

[redser]

I think you're very lucky to have inherited a greenhouse frame. Some people would give their right aerm for one. Seeing as it august now and you are just starting off there's little be be gained from growing undercover until Spring. So take your time and do a good bit of research. You dont even have to do anything until into the New Year 2013 But hang on to that frame. How big is it? Maybe some photos and people cold advise how difficult it would be to bring it back to life?
I made a 20 x 10 foot DIY tunnel for under 200. Maybe you could have both?

[CaroltheCarrot]

I have an old inherited glass gh on one plot, it looks a bit rickety but it does the job. The glass panels were nearly all destroyed in the high winds so I replaced them with polycarb sheets. The do pop out if the wind gets up but they are easily put back in and there is no broken glass to deal with.
Good luck with it whatever you decide

[Bren In Pots]

,i have my dad old halls one,it's got to be well over 30 years old,

Mines also a 35year old Halls GH that my neighbour gave me we took the glass out and 3 of us lifted it over out 5ft garden wall. They do seem built to last.

Darcy have you thought about covering the frame with PVC then using it over winter for lettuce and other crops while you research and decide what you really want to buy.

[darcyvuqua]

right im going to look at this in a serious note gonna go up in the morning and assess what needs doing to the frame i think i may be looking at re glazing what is up there

thanks for the advice everyone i will let you know the situation tomorrow

[zazen999]

I'd recommend using that one in whatever state it is in, and then keeping an eye out to see what's going for free. You don't need a greenhouse on an allotment, I grow without one and you just adapt as you go. It helps that I have one at home of course...

[darcyvuqua]

yeah thats the thing zazen i have no where for one at home so i really need one up the allotment i have always started my seeds off on window sills but my wife is getting fed up with it lol