Shep's is a thing of beauty. I have a green one, Green house people. We also live in a wind tunnel. It's green like Shep's,toughed glass.. did I just read, someone saying theirs is too big...I need to go and lie down! We inherited a halls 6 x8 plus 6 x4 lean to, bought the green 6x 8, couldn't fit a bigger one in the spot,then last year another 6x4 lean to,next to the other one. GO LARGE! PS Love your nickname.
I live in a long term rented property where I'm able to do as I please in the garden. It is in the centre of a town but a fair sized garden considering. Nothing in it but lawn when I moved in. My cheap polycarbonate greenhouse from primrose has been such a help to me. From raising plants from seeds, protecting cuttings and giving me a little place with a chair where I can plan and potter, calms my soul.
Everything was done on a budget. I dug out a trench about ten inches deep and sunk the frame in. I used old storage heater bricks to make the central path. They retain heat and protect plants in the winter! I left the sides as earth but dug in muck and soil improver and plant tomatoes etc straight into the ground....I would never be without it! It's my epiphany place!!!! Best of luck 😀
boragejohnson In my opinion, and pondering what one uses a greenhouse for, the availability of suitable designs is poor. If you're happy with what you find in your research, that's the main thing but, if I was younger, I'd build my own from scratch. Whatever you decide on, enjoy it!
Wow, that's a lot of replies - lots of great info there. I like the idea of a polytunnel (particularly with what I see on Beechgrove) but living in new-build land, even a greenhouse might look like it's from another planet. Something that is very obvious around this part of the World is the complete absence of any greenhouse - hundreds of homes and not a single example visible. Each to their own of course.
Great tip re guttering - overflowing water butts will no doubt be something that will become very familiar, we've had rainfall to some degree every day for about the last 2 weeks. Unfortunately too late to engineer a fall on my base though.
@boragejohnson If a polytunnel is not an option, how about a cold frame?
I was in a similar position 2+ years ago (new garden to fill up, no gardening experience to speak of) and while I have bought many plants, I have also managed to get plants for free from people clearing their gardens in spring & autumn (neighbours, postings on Freecycle).
I now have a small home-made cold frame mainly for veg seedlings, not keen enough to get a greenhouse yet.
As you get to grips with your new garden you would never regret having a greenhouse. Buy the largest one you can fit in or afford. Anyone with a greenhouse always say they wish it was bigger. I managed to acquire a freeby 8x6 on my local Freecycle. I would love another bigger one. I only grow 4 tomato plants and a couple of cucumbers and it is full to bursting. A greenhouse is so useful for all sorts of jobs. In a previous garden there was a 12x8 greenhouse which was a lovely size. Go for it. You will soon be buying another one or building one.
I agree wholeheartedly with @Joyce Goldenlily I started off 50 years ago with a 10 x 8 timber GH which also had a solid fuel boiler and hot water pipes ( I kept Iguanas as well as plants ! ). Over the intervening years, I went up in size to a 50 x 20 and then gradually back to my current 10 x 8 . I don't think I could ever be without one and once you have one, you will probably feel the same
I love my GH wouldn't be without it. I like it best late winter/early spring when its cold outside but sunny , its really nice and warm inside while I potter around sowing seeds listening to the radio .
Posts
Everything was done on a budget. I dug out a trench about ten inches deep and sunk the frame in. I used old storage heater bricks to make the central path. They retain heat and protect plants in the winter!
I left the sides as earth but dug in muck and soil improver and plant tomatoes etc straight into the ground....I would never be without it! It's my epiphany place!!!!
Best of luck 😀
I was in a similar position 2+ years ago (new garden to fill up, no gardening experience to speak of) and while I have bought many plants, I have also managed to get plants for free from people clearing their gardens in spring & autumn (neighbours, postings on Freecycle).
I now have a small home-made cold frame mainly for veg seedlings, not keen enough to get a greenhouse yet.
I managed to acquire a freeby 8x6 on my local Freecycle. I would love another bigger one. I only grow 4 tomato plants and a couple of cucumbers and it is full to bursting. A greenhouse is so useful for all sorts of jobs. In a previous garden there was a 12x8 greenhouse which was a lovely size.
Go for it. You will soon be buying another one or building one.