First time greenhouse
Firsttimegardener
Posts: 2
in Talkback
I am a very new starter and I have only just managed to grow herbs. I would like to go on to grow veggies and strawberries etc. is a compact/ plastic greenhouse worth buying for a starter greenhouse?
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Yes , yes, yes. And when you get the bug and want a big real greenhouse you won't have wasted a lot of money.
Start by situating it out of the wind and pin it down firmly with bricks or stones or something. The greenhouses work well, in the sense that they keep the plants warm, but there are lots of stories on here of people who have had them blown away by the wind. Only a sheltered site will do. And also, I would suggest using it to bring things on in the spring, but take it down when you have finished doing that and store it for the next year, as if you leave it up, it will deteriorate - the plastic goes hard and cracks easily after a while. You can get some with green reinforcement netting in the plastic, which might lengthen their lifespan. Good luck!
I bought mine for £9.99 from B&M bargains, but I've seen the same 4 tiered plastic one in ASDA for £15, and Wilkos-currently on offer for £13 I believe. It's been a life saver for us! I've started to grow some peppers in mine, and due to lack of space and a shed, I use the bottom tier to store my tools and watering can, spare pots and the such... took 20 minutes or so to assemble and it does keep them warmer than nothing at all, and our seedlings are thriving in it
There's a photo of mine! I think if you're as much of a beginner as I am, then it's worth your while. For me it's a hobby, and it's grown simply because I notice there's a link with me spending time outside in the garden and my depression ebbing away... Plus I'm full of cold at the moment and the fresh air does my blocked nose the world of good! But for all I know, I could be moving to a flat next year, or somewhere with no garden at all, so I can give this away on freecycle or the such and won't have wasted much money, time or effort.
Definitely invest in one, weigh it down, and keep it sheltered, my house does a pretty good job on that
!
I srewed 2 eyelets into the wall with a rope round the lot, next morning after windy night, the rope was still intact but the frame and cover were down the garden. Good if you rope down well and site in a vety sheltered spot. They get very wet inside so look out for mould or rotting on your plants and keep well ventilated. Be careful when you zip it up, they pull out from the sides.
Apart from that, they are ok, better than nothing for hardening off your plants.
I have to admit Lyn, that I've had no problems at all with mine, it's withstood rain, hail and wind so far and everything has kept nice and dry and warm, and more importantly in place, when all I have weighing it down are some pots and a full watering can, mainly so I can just water the containers when I'm coming in from work. The sheet covers it very well.
It will pay for itself in a few weeks if you only grow a few trays of salad leaves. It keeps them off the floor, no soil splash, less slug damage, less bird damage.
I got the gardening by getting one of these little growhouses for Christmas! Enthusiasm abounded,
so we then upgraded to a real (second hand ) glass green house. When my father in law come to visit, he was so delighted with our progress and the fact my glass house was chocker block with seedlings, he bought me a walk in growhouse. All 3 of them get used, especially this time of year.
Go for it, loved my first it was a GH but a placky thing, blew away, but made me get a glass one & haven't looked back. So much pleasure from any type of GH / lean to /or any
too right Kef