do i need to buy a greenhouse
Hi all. Sorry if i sound abit thick here. But im quite new to gardening and have madea few mistakes along the way for instance not realising i need to take dahlias up in the winter!! 
so my question is woukd a greenhouse be the way to go or would using part of my shed possibly work as it has a large window and is always warm as the sun is on it for most of the day? Any advice would be great
so my question is woukd a greenhouse be the way to go or would using part of my shed possibly work as it has a large window and is always warm as the sun is on it for most of the day? Any advice would be great 0
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Vic don't worry about being thick, it affects all of us and the only silly question is the one you don't ask, so ask away. As for a GH, they do increase flexibility in the garden. They provide storage space in winter and crops throughout the year if you so desire. A frost free shed is ideal for storing all sorts of things as well, and those with large windows can be used like a GH, but aren't ideal for crops like tomatoes/melons and cucumber which thrive in the higher temperatures. So really it's a matter for you and how far you want to go. Have you thought of cold frames as an interim measure, they are a valuable addition as well. I overwinter plants/sow seed in mine, they are on a south facing border, and cheap to buy or build. If you have the money buy a GH as large as you can afford, you'll soon fill it with all sorts of things and wonder how you coped without one.
Thanks for your reply dave. Im not planning on growing food just nice flowers. Also if i was to get a gh does it need to be in direct sunlight. The bottom of my garden gets very warm surely if i put it there it would cook the plants. Sorry for all the questions but im determind to creare a beautiful garden lol
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Thanks for your reply dave. Im not planning on growing food just nice flowers. Also if i was to get a gh does it need to be in direct sunlight. The bottom of my garden gets very warm surely if i put it there it would cook the plants. Sorry for all the questions but im determind to creare a beautiful garden lol
Try one of the plastic greenhouses about £10 - £15. They need weighting down to stop them blowing around in the wind though. Good for seeds, and hardening plants out in the spring.
You don't need a g/h to store Dahlias just some where frost free.
If they are growing in the ground you need to cut down the growth to less than a foot then lift the tubers gracefully ,be careful not to damage the tuber . Then store upside down so any wet or sap can drain off, this will take a few days then store ,the right way up in sand, peat or compost in a dry frost free place.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I already have a small plastic one which gets quite full at times which is why ive spilled over into the shed slightly. I never thought that i would enjoy gardening as much as i do and didnt realise the amount of tools needed for the job!
You've nearly answered your own question Vic!
In short, no you don't need a greenhouse to overwinter dahlias - just somewhere frost free. BUT - if you have found that you really enjoy gardening & are starting to struggle for space in a mini greenhouse and starting to use the shed as one - well I can only think that a proper full size greenhouse will increase your enjoyment many times over.
It is, however, a fairly major purchase - especially if you start putting down a decent base, installing electricity and buying lots of accessories. It is worth doing a lot of homework to find the right size & construction for your needs & pocket as well as working out the best site for access & sun etc. Lots of free advice available from the forum as you know & we're all getting a bit bored now winter is approaching so plenty of time to share our experiences!!
As a first off from me - I would say go for the biggest one you can accommodate without spoiling the look of your garden, consider installing electric so you can operate propagators & thermo controlled heaters and try to get a water supply next to it or nearby so you are not walking miles to water plants (a filled water butt is fine - doesn't need to be mains). Also make sure you can walk round the outside to clean or possibly repair it.
ENJOY.....
PS - We've all made loads of mistake along the way - that's why we don't laugh at anybody else's
Youre right topbird i nearly did answer it. like you say now the weather is cold gardeners will be getting bored. Ive just replaced a fence in my garden so the world is my oyster now in terms of planting. Ive got an entire border that needs filling with something or other. Im hoping that by this time next year that there wont be a bare patch in sight.
If you decide on a cold frame instead of/as well as a greenhouse, the cheapest way of getting one is to use old windows supported on walls built of old bricks or pallet wood.
Tools are indeed expensive but you can buy them one at a time as you need and can afford them.