Greenhouse with base straight onto soil

[mattyaimeeralphie]

Yesterday I bought and dismantled a 12x8 glass green house its in good condition and came with a base. Im looking at putting the base a slight trench and not having it nailed to concrete. My plot is quite sheltered just cant be doing with even more expense and time buying and sorting breeze blocks etc for the base to be bolted down.

Any thoughts on this would be great?

[Cadalot]

I made a timber frame from 150 x 50 Joists and screwed the base to it. The frame extended such that I could us giant U stapes to go over the timber and into the ground to anchor the greenhouse. The alternative is to extend the timbers make a platform and put weights on it.

[mattyaimeeralphie]

I made a timber frame from 150 x 50 Joists and screwed the base to it. The frame extended such that I could us giant U stapes to go over the timber and into the ground to anchor the greenhouse. The alternative is to extend the timbers make a platform and put weights on it.

Cheers for that idea. I am hoping not to spend anymore cash if i can though.

[Baldy]

I'm on a real windy site - the only part of my little GH that hasn't been bent and twisted is the base that was just laid on the ground with multiple 'tent-pegs' to secure it. If I'm understanding you correctly then I reckon a base direct into a trench on the ground should be ok in a sheltered site. There are advantages to having the base attached to something else - you might want some extra height or find it easier to make sure everything is 'square' etc but its an extra hassle / cost I guess. (Cadalot's an engineer-type dude so probably better to listen to him )

[veggiechicken]

Cheers for that idea. I am hoping not to spend anymore cash if i can though.

Have you looked at Freecycle/Freegle/Gumtree for free slabs or joists? Its amazing what people give away.
One of my GHs came from Freecycle

[Scarlet]

You could dig out each corner /fill with concrete and just attach each corner. I don't think it's safe just putting it on earth and not securing down.

[Greenleaves]

However you decide to fix it, it must be level and square or the the glass will fit poorly and be prone to cracking.

Good luck

[sparrow100]

I got free joists for mine. It's kept the greenhouse tethered through some tough gales. They are also so much easier to get the greenhouse square and level on. Mine has a very slight fall to one end which is great for filling water butts. But it's polycarb so also not prone to panels cracking.

[rosiepumpkin]

I have a sheltered plot and despite that, it can get pretty windy sometimes in a storm. The shelter of a row of mature trees and leylandii didn't stop a lot flying about. One thing that didn't move or break were the greenhouses-both on concrete. I reckon you'll be ok with blocks from skips or pour a 10 quid bag of cement into a mould made from odd bits of wood. It's cheaper than replacing bits of greenhouse

[mattyaimeeralphie]

Cheers for the comments guys think im going go get a bag of cement for the corners i think.

Im useless when it comes to diy so as little work as possible is the key for me hahaha

[veggiechicken]

You'd have to do a lot more DIY if it blew away

[Potstubsdustbins]

The weight of the glass would keep it in place in all but the most severe weather.

But I would still fit onto a squared and level base, (a) to stop glass cracking due to movement (b) to stop movement and sinkage in the first place.

[Scarlet]

The advantage of raising it up on bricks is that you've got more headroom for your toms and also the glass isn't level with the earth. Digging in manure, compost etc raises the level of the soil so that extra height protects your glass.
Ive got two greenhouse, one raised on a row of bricks, the other on the same level as the ground attached to concrete. I'd go with the higher one every time.

[mattyaimeeralphie]

After a weekend of debating and ideas, i am thinking of putting the base down in a trench with angle irons down in each corners to keep it square. Will this be enough one person today said yes and one said no..

[Scarlet]

What's going in the trench?