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Buying our first greenhouse
Woodsi
Posts: 9
We're about to buy our first greenhouse and wondering if anybody had any advice or reviews?
We're looking for 8 x 6 or so, don't mind what it's made from but the more glass-like it looks the better. No kids or pets to worry about here. No base currently except compacted fairly flat ground right now, would be able to level a little more but one that doesn't need concrete would be good.
looking to spend no more than £400 or so. I know this will only give us the lower end greenhouses but it's all we can afford for a while as there's so much else to do on the house!
thanks in advance,
jo
0
Posts
Get the base level, it's important, because the greenhouse will go together so much better, I promise! I've used slabs, or a brick edge set in concrete, sleepers, all different bases, they all work, so do that bit first. 8ft x 6ft is about the minimum I'd use. It soon fills up. There are so many available from various outlets that it's worth narrowing down your requirements prior to looking, so you don't trawl through the millions out there.
H-C
https://www.primrose.co.uk/lacewing-6ft-6ft-essential-silver-aluminium-frame-greenhouse-with-base-p-73389.html?cPath=696_3595_3746&src=list_name
This is the greenhouse that I have very fortunately got for my birthday yesterday.
its my first and I haven't put it up yet but made a base. There are lots of videos on YouTube about getting your foundation level. I personally wouldn't opt for glass, as a jobbing gardener, I've seen too many broken panes of glass and rusty frames to ever consider it! Best of luck and enjoy!
As the post above says getting it level is of great importance.
Unlike WonkyWoble I prefer glass, we have safety glass in ours due to younger children when we purchased it, they are very large sheets and have survived completely intact in our original garden and through a house move to where we are now.
We have an Elite greenhouse, aluminium frame which can be got with a base for erecting straight onto soil. They put together well and can be got for round about your budget in some sales As can other similar makes.
Cheers
I bought a Halls Aluminium 8x6 from Greenhouse Stores last month. Couldn't afford safety glass as like you I was on a budget and that would have added an extra £150.
Paid just over £400 and that included staging, a louvred vent and downpipe for water butt.
Did read that you should get the biggest you can afford, and that's true as mine's nearly full already!
Had a slabbed base already and paid someone to put it up - personal choice as had a bad experience trying to erect a second-hand one.
Really happy with the company and my greenhouse - spend hours pottering in there!
You will have to decide beforehand whether you want a paved area to sit the greenhouse on or if you want soil beds inside the greenhouse. It is a matter of personal taste and there are pros and cons for both. It may be worthwhile if you are at all handy to build a low brick surround say a foot high, on which to attach the greenhouse. That will give you an extra foot of vertical growing space and better headroom..
I've put up 3 greenhouses now and it is fairly straightforward. Just follow the instructions and lay out all the parts first. Perhaps being a girl with smaller fingers and hands made it easier for me. And I was doing the job with help, not helping someone else!! If I could have grown another 2 arms, I would have been able to do it myself!