Peat, Clarington can just cut and paste that list too, although whoever buys the greenhouse might think they've met the kookiest Ebayer ever! You are right about the W clips though - the more your glass is hooked in the better I'm sure. I unloaded the car today, and had lost 3 panes , but it was a rocky journey, so not so bad. A hard day's shifting stuff out the back - nearly there now. Almost too scared to get started.....! Tracey, I think people put the bamboo canes and balls out, and then when the crop below is in danger from cabbage white butterflies or wasps or birds or something, they sling the netting over and the balls support it whereas the canes would go through it. But I am not sure how that would relate to tomatoes though...?
Thanks Bee, I've not heard of that before but this one was definitely in his tomato greenhouse. Next time I see him out I'm going to ask him, even though I don't know him!!
Well, in case anyone wanted to know how it was all going, I would say.... slowly! Largely down to other things happening - so today was the first day I have really had a chance to get going on this project, but I am feeling pretty pleased with myself. First thing was to get the base down. I was going to anchor it with the enormous tent peg things, but after doing one, I realised that it probably makes more sense to do that when the whole frame is up, because if it is less rigid there will be more give - wouldn't want to have to take them up again, and I don't think there are likely to be any hurricanes between then and now.
Once I'd got the base back together, I ordered all the metal frame bits, like with like, because sometimes it is a good thing to have a jolly good look at stuff before starting, looking at how things are different, and spotting clues like the rubber where the glass goes. It is also helpful to note how many of any particular piece you have got - also a clue. Then I consulted the photos I had taken. Then I started from the bottom up.
I think I am going to run out of the nuts and bolts, but am hoping I can get some replacements from somewhere. A few have sheared off where I tried to tighten them too much. I have put the end panel on wrong and will have to turn it the other way tomorrow, but need OH's help with that one. BTW, whoever recommended the steam cleaner - excellent idea! Does a really good job doesn't it!
But all in all, a rewarding day's work, and looking forward to making more progress tomorrow. Think I will have the whole frame done by then. Many thanks to all those of you who encouraged me. I have found this easier than I imagined so far!
Above anything else, keep yer sense of humour ! As the old verse goes, 'Since all things come in pairs or flocks, Whence comes this pile of single socks.'
Wilko's, that much bandied name for replacement nuts'n' bolts, is a jolly good emporium for the easy side of the market. The Woolies of horticulture, bless 'em.
From yer piccies, I am IMPRESSED. My own was done as QAP, before heavy weather set in, and hoping to impress the one who knows all, she who must. It worked. It is 'original' in every aspect, but does the job, pegged down with 2' (600mm, OR 60 cm home made pegs into the base soil. The main problem is, keeping the place clear of 'other things', he incants darkly. Stuff that one is convinced that it will 'come in handy sometime'. You look well 'organdized', in the words of Wol, in the Pooh stories.
Hi Peat! I am aware that all has gone quiet here at Bee Towers on the greenhouse front, but there is progress. Basically, I did run out of nuts and bolts and ordered some on the internet, which took a few days to turn up, but were very good. I did keep my sense of humour, and did it a bit at a time. I learned that it was best not to tighten the nuts and bolts properly till the end, when I went round and did a sweep of them - this was because I kept having to undo them again to fit another bit! Or turn things round when I got it wrong. The frame is properly anchored now, except in one corner where there was clearly a large stone deep in the soil that I couldn't bash the peg through. But all the other anchors went in well.
I now have the frame up in its entirety, and have been steam cleaning it - should finish that this morning. The steam cleaner is good at lifting the algae, but 'chasing it off' with the steam is slow, so I worked out it was quicker to steam, then rinse with the hose. Obviously the heat differential doesn't matter on the frame as it would on the glass, but yesterday I was rained off, so came indoors and have been 'washing up' the glass because I figured it would be quicker than the steam cleaner - it comes in through the front door, gets washed and dried, and then goes out through the back door.
Wind has been much on my mind. Thing is, I know some of the panes are broken/missing, and I need to put the whole thing together to work out what I need to order from the glaziers, BUT I am aware that a greenhouse with panes missing is a vulnerable thing, so it would make more sense to wait until we get a patch of quieter weather for a few days so that I can get it water and wind-tight before there is another change in the weather. Last week's conditions would have been perfect, but I don't much fancy what they are saying will happen over the next few days. I am in no hurry. The windowsills will suffice for now, although the tomatoes and cucumbers are getting quite big!
As far as nuts'n'bolts is concerned, Wilko's usually have some, or any hardware shoppie, for a very reasonable price. I have BAGS of spares, just in case !
Unfortunately, where me lotty is, we have no water supply nor 'leccy, so it's usually in the old seafaring parlance, Norwegian Steam, Anglo-Saxon for carrying and wot keeps the wheels turning. Water is like a bank. When you need it, it ain't there, and when you DON'T need it, it is pissing down ! Such is life.
When you clean your frames with the steamer, consider a rinse with some moss killer, which will deter it coming back soon. Moss, up here in Northumberland anyway, is a bloody nuisance, especially on a north facing slope as we are.
Can anyone help? I have been fortunate enough to have been given an aluminium greenhouse in need of repair & reglazing. I have push in clips that go in the bottom of the roof channels with a claw edge either side of the channel to hold bottom pane stable, after trawling the internet & scouring garden centres & DIY stores I cannot find any to buy to replace missing clips, does anyone know what they are called & better still where I might be able to get some??!! Many thanks in advance
Posts
Peat, Clarington can just cut and paste that list too, although whoever buys the greenhouse might think they've met the kookiest Ebayer ever! You are right about the W clips though - the more your glass is hooked in the better I'm sure. I unloaded the car today, and had lost 3 panes
, but it was a rocky journey, so not so bad. A hard day's shifting stuff out the back - nearly there now. Almost too scared to get started.....! Tracey, I think people put the bamboo canes and balls out, and then when the crop below is in danger from cabbage white butterflies or wasps or birds or something, they sling the netting over and the balls support it whereas the canes would go through it. But I am not sure how that would relate to tomatoes though...?
Might be so you don't poke yourself in the eye. Also for the reason Bee says if they are outdoors.
Well, in case anyone wanted to know how it was all going, I would say.... slowly! Largely down to other things happening - so today was the first day I have really had a chance to get going on this project, but I am feeling pretty pleased with myself. First thing was to get the base down. I was going to anchor it with the enormous tent peg things, but after doing one, I realised that it probably makes more sense to do that when the whole frame is up, because if it is less rigid there will be more give - wouldn't want to have to take them up again, and I don't think there are likely to be any hurricanes between then and now.
Once I'd got the base back together, I ordered all the metal frame bits, like with like, because sometimes it is a good thing to have a jolly good look at stuff before starting, looking at how things are different, and spotting clues like the rubber where the glass goes. It is also helpful to note how many of any particular piece you have got - also a clue. Then I consulted the photos I had taken. Then I started from the bottom up.
I think I am going to run out of the nuts and bolts, but am hoping I can get some replacements from somewhere. A few have sheared off where I tried to tighten them too much. I have put the end panel on wrong and will have to turn it the other way tomorrow, but need OH's help with that one. BTW, whoever recommended the steam cleaner - excellent idea! Does a really good job doesn't it!
But all in all, a rewarding day's work, and looking forward to making more progress tomorrow. Think I will have the whole frame done by then. Many thanks to all those of you who encouraged me. I have found this easier than I imagined so far!
Wilko's, that much bandied name for replacement nuts'n' bolts, is a jolly good emporium for the easy side of the market. The Woolies of horticulture, bless 'em.
From yer piccies, I am IMPRESSED. My own was done as QAP, before heavy weather set in, and hoping to impress the one who knows all, she who must. It worked. It is 'original' in every aspect, but does the job, pegged down with 2' (600mm, OR 60 cm home made pegs into the base soil. The main problem is, keeping the place clear of 'other things', he incants darkly. Stuff that one is convinced that it will 'come in handy sometime'. You look well 'organdized', in the words of Wol, in the Pooh stories.
Beware of high winds.
Hi Peat! I am aware that all has gone quiet here at Bee Towers on the greenhouse front, but there is progress. Basically, I did run out of nuts and bolts and ordered some on the internet, which took a few days to turn up, but were very good. I did keep my sense of humour, and did it a bit at a time. I learned that it was best not to tighten the nuts and bolts properly till the end, when I went round and did a sweep of them - this was because I kept having to undo them again to fit another bit! Or turn things round when I got it wrong. The frame is properly anchored now, except in one corner where there was clearly a large stone deep in the soil that I couldn't bash the peg through. But all the other anchors went in well.
I now have the frame up in its entirety, and have been steam cleaning it - should finish that this morning. The steam cleaner is good at lifting the algae, but 'chasing it off' with the steam is slow, so I worked out it was quicker to steam, then rinse with the hose. Obviously the heat differential doesn't matter on the frame as it would on the glass, but yesterday I was rained off, so came indoors and have been 'washing up' the glass because I figured it would be quicker than the steam cleaner - it comes in through the front door, gets washed and dried, and then goes out through the back door.
Wind has been much on my mind. Thing is, I know some of the panes are broken/missing, and I need to put the whole thing together to work out what I need to order from the glaziers, BUT I am aware that a greenhouse with panes missing is a vulnerable thing, so it would make more sense to wait until we get a patch of quieter weather for a few days so that I can get it water and wind-tight before there is another change in the weather. Last week's conditions would have been perfect, but I don't much fancy what they are saying will happen over the next few days. I am in no hurry. The windowsills will suffice for now, although the tomatoes and cucumbers are getting quite big!
Unfortunately, where me lotty is, we have no water supply nor 'leccy, so it's usually in the old seafaring parlance, Norwegian Steam, Anglo-Saxon for carrying and wot keeps the wheels turning. Water is like a bank. When you need it, it ain't there, and when you DON'T need it, it is pissing down ! Such is life.
When you clean your frames with the steamer, consider a rinse with some moss killer, which will deter it coming back soon. Moss, up here in Northumberland anyway, is a bloody nuisance, especially on a north facing slope as we are.
Well done on your progress anyway.