Do we need a greenhouse?

[Davyburns]

Dont knock the blowaways, I have 2 in my "proper" greenhouse with a (very) small heater in each, and with the extra insulataion the Proper greenhouse affords them things are gowing great!
In April, "wor lass" will use them for flower seedlings, cos they will be outside by then.
You can buy extra covers for them if they become stiff or split, quiite easily

[Two_Sheds]

You can buy extra covers for them if they become stiff or split, quiite easily

When they split - I've been through dozens of them, some rip as soon as you pu them on the frame.
I'm no longer happy to keep buying something so poorly made - I took all my ripped covers back to the shop and dumped them on the counter.

My lotty neighbour had 3 glass greenhouses that he acquired for free through small ads, freecycle etc. That's the way to go if you have transport and like doing jigsaw puzzles

[Two_Sheds]

would a model in my price range do the job ok?

Yes, it would do the job. I personally would not recommend Norfolk greenhouses, as their self-build instructions are diabolical.
We live in a very, very windy area which is why I have now gone and paid a lot of money for an indestructible one. This is what happens to my blowaways (that one had a weight on the bottom shelf and was also lashed to the downpipe - the wind took the downpipe off the wall too)

[Potstubsdustbins]

Whilst I agree that the blowaways are not the best answer. When you are first starting out they provide away to find out if you are going to enjoy what we do at little expense.

Another thing to consider before you make your mind up is are you going to remain where you live now for a few years. It would seem silly to go to the expense and trouble of erecting a green house to leave it for someone else to have all the benefit.

As to green houses themselves my wife bought me one in 2009 for my birthday. * x 6 was the largest I could fit in the space I had. Polycarbonate glazing ally frame £270 approx. Despite being at a fairly high altitude I have lost no glazing and it as not moved an inch even in the gales. Maybe its how you fasten them down.

Colin

[T8Ter]

Hi Maj,
I bought mine from here
Metal Greenhouses and Metal Growhouses at Low Prices | GardenBuildingsDirect

!0" x 6" poly carb glazed - £400 with base when I bought it, haven't had any trouble with it, the only thing I did at the start was use a load of clear silicone sealont on the edges of all the polycarb panels before fixing with glazing clips - I haven't had a panel blow out yet (now I'm tempting fate) but if you can afford one without it being a struggle to buy I would say buy one when you can.

[Sylvan]

Grumpy bought me a couple of those polycarbonate greenhouses when we moved here. The boys put the panels for one of them together in the house and then five rather large youths tried to bolt them together in situ (as per the destructions).
A gust of wind hit it, damaged the boys and twisted the frame.
It's still in pieces, waiting for remedial work.

Years ago I had one of those aluminium ones with the separate small panes of glass. That went up easily, even though we were in a much windier place, because there weren't such big "sails" for the gusts to get hold of.

[Kristen]

Thank you all for your fantastic advice. All a bit confusing really, on one hand I do not one to invest in something if I'm not sure we will 'get into it' on the other it may difficult to get the 'full experience' without all the kit.

If you decide not to get one yet then maybe set up a SEARCH on eBay so that it emails you anything matching your search criteria. You may get lucky with a cheap-enough one before you get around to deciding you have to pay good money for one! Ditto on Freecycle (although I think you have to keep monitoring that, rather than being able to set up a "mail me when one comes up" search)

I have got two off eBay - the larger one is 30' x 10', 5 year old aluminium from a decent brand name, and cost me £400. My eBay search was running for a couple of years before that came up (I was contemplating a polytunnel as couldn't afford new glasshouse that size)

[Davyburns]

Interesting! I haven't heard of this plant before. Can you please suggest varieties, seed suplliers, best growing conditions. Recipies are always useful too.

I have found the older ones are best, and just keep them fed with tomatoes and cucumbers and they should be very productive

[Two_Sheds]

Freecycle (although I think you have to keep monitoring that, rather than being able to set up a "mail me when one comes up" search)

You can do a WANTED ad on freecycle (now called freegle)
It's also worthwhile leafleting places with old greenhouses in the garden - lots of people want to get rid, but can't be bothered to sell/advertise

[Kristen]

It's also worthwhile leafleting places with old greenhouses in the garden - lots of people want to get rid, but can't be bothered to sell/advertise

Cracking idea T.S.