Cheap greenhouse - advice please!
SchlumpfLouise
Posts: 18
Hello!
I've decided I'm going to buy my first "proper" greenhouse. I've previously bought the cheap plastic ones which are ok for a few months and then the cat climbs up them to get the last rays of the sun and they degrade pretty quickly.
My budget is as cheap as possible (I couldn't really go above £200). I also have a very small garden and we may be moving house so it needs to be relatively small and easy to take with us. Having said that, I'd ideally like to be able to get inside it and shut a door, but this isn't a necessity.
I intend to use if for sowing and raising flowers from seed only (I don't do fruit and veg!)
I've seen this one and I was hoping you could all tell me what you think of it
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/1395398.htm
Alternatively, can anyone suggest a different product that would suit my needs and budget?
Posts
It's hard to tell, but it looks very tiny, once you are in it. I wonder how much room there is. I've seen this one on Amazon http://www.amazon.co.uk/Summer-Garden-Buildings-Greenhouse-Polycarbonate/dp/B00CM6GHJ8/ref=sr_1_45?s=outdoors&ie=UTF8&qid=1423400536&sr=1-45 , but it's £215. It has good reviews and is 2 foot longer, looks more like a real greenhouse.
It doesn't have any shelving and once you are inside it there will hardly be room for any. Where are you going to put your plants?
For my money the better bet would be the spacesaver greenhouse on the same page, similar construction but with room for lots of seed trays on the racking. And £50 cheaper! This one looks very like the one from Norfolk Greenhouses, marketed at the same price, though I haven't checked delivery cost. They do lots of cheap and cheerful options.
Hi Busy-Lizzie, thanks for your reply, funnily enough I have that one open in a tab on my browser as it would be my second choice! I could certainly use the space inside the greenhouse but worried it will take up too much garden space (Currently in inner city Victorian housing, if we move it will likely be the same type of house and garden)
Hi Buttercupdays, I had a long look at that one and thought the access to each side could be difficult? I always water my seedlings from bottom up so would be taking the seed trays out quite often. As for shelving, I have plenty of shelves from the degraded plastic greenhouses, I've measured up and I'd be able to fit two of them in this one in an L shape (except that only works if you don't have to have the two lower corner shelves that are in the picture, I've asked if it is possible not to use these in the assembly)
Have a look at ebay. That's where I got mine and it was a real bargain. You might be lucky and get a good glass one. The cheaper ones don't tend to move well, once up. A second hand glass one would be my suggestion....if you can find one of course. Good luck with it!
I'd keep an eye on your local newspaper's ad section, sometimes they are advertised as free if you go and remove it for the owner. Its a good time now to look for second hand ones in the papers because its the time of year people buy a new one. Maybe gumtree or freecycle are worth a look too.
B&Q do a small Palram GH for £179.98.
I've just picked up one for free on one of the local facebook selling sites. Only needed a couple of panes of glass and once all washed, it looks as good as new!!!
gumtree also has some listed for free in my local area. It's well worth a look!
Hello there, I'm considering a greenhouse too although I have the space for a decent sized one I was wondering if you need to put them on slabs or if they are ok on soil/grass/weedmat and gravel? Also I was considering a large cold frame for starters before I decide on a greenhouse as I have in the past grown lots of seedlings from a simple small cheap plastic arch with my children. Any advice would be much appreciated. Sorry to opening poster for hi-jacking your thread, although I do think we are considering similar issues.
A greenhouse does need to be put on a firm base to stop it moving and warping. It also needs to be attached so it doesn't blow away in a gale. Some GH makers do a base frame which you can put onto level earth and cement it at various points, or attach it to concrete pavers. Then you construct the GH on that.
Thanks Busy-lizzie, thats helpful to know, I feel a bit daunted by it all really if I'm honest, might start with a large cold frame and work my way up while keeping my eyes open for one at a good price, although the ability to work inside the greenhouse is still appealing, do you think it matters if its polycarbonate or horticultural glass? (Have to consider if I need to enlist my local handy person/builder to help if I go the green house route).