Author Topic: Greenhouse or shed? (Read 3649 times)

good_life_girl · « **on:** September 01, 2003, 20:37:55 »

After a couple of good soakings thanks to our lovely english weather I've decided I need some sort of protection on my lottie. The big decision is to go for a greenhouse or a shed (either way I'm trying to get one second-hand thro' the paper/web).

Personally I'd prefer a shed - as it's safer to store tools, nicer for me to sit in with my cuppa, smaller. However, I'm thinking that a greenhouse will be more useful next spring for plants (didn't go down very well with non-gardening other half having trays of tomatoes, corgettes etc germinating in the flat this year).

On the other hand I wouldn't want to put up a greenhouse until next spring so it doesn't risk getting damaged in the winter, which is just when I need protection from the elements! Plus from what I've seen on the web putting up a greenhouse sounds much more complicated - do I really need a concrete base?!!

Help! :)

teresa · « **Reply #1 on:** September 01, 2003, 23:14:59 »

Hi, a base for a greenhouse can either be railway sleepers, bricks or paving slabs as long as the ground is level and firm. One of our lottie holders has a shed with a greenhouse built onto it from timber 3x3inc and attached plastic sheets even has net curtians inside suppose its what he could lay his hands on but plactic is less dangerous than glass. Have fun and design something different Teresa

allotment_chick · « **Reply #2 on:** September 02, 2003, 00:53:13 »

Cripes! How could you decide? Easier when the decision is taken out your hands by inheriting existing structures when taking over a plot!

Personally, I don't like sitting in a shed as they are dark and spiders and mice live in there. But you are right - they are slightly more vandal proof and potentially less hazardous!

I would prefer to shelter in a greenhouse, where I can see the clouds drift by, but unless they are rock solid, facing the right direction in relation to the prevailing wind, out of range of stone-lobbing hooligans and clumsy plotholders, they can be a bit of a liability!

I'll have to investigate the option of self-build extension to the existing shed. Thanks for the idea T!

teresa · « **Reply #3 on:** September 02, 2003, 01:20:26 »

Your welcome and it looks cool 8) so does he would not mind seeing him without a shirt on :-[ and he grows lovely fruit ;) ha ha Teresa

allotment_chick · « **Reply #4 on:** September 02, 2003, 01:25:30 »

Luverly - nothing wrong with observing nature through the changing seasons! :D
Still waiting for suitable eye candy to arrive on our site... for now I'll have to make do with the kestrel!

Is he available for consultation, I wonder....?

Ozzy_aka_Pothead · « **Reply #5 on:** September 02, 2003, 02:03:42 »

Yo Peeps

Why not build a "hide".... I bet you could see loads during the night, i mean loads of wildlife, and on the plus side, from your obsevations, you will be better placed to make defences..... allotments are bliss...... heaven on earth... yeaaaaaaaah ;)

cHeErS

oZzY %)

allotment_chick · « **Reply #6 on:** September 02, 2003, 02:05:57 »

True.... ;)

Ozzy_aka_Pothead · « **Reply #7 on:** September 02, 2003, 02:38:09 »

Yo AC

Can you imagine spending the night in the hide? If you got hungry.... you could pick some beans or strawberrys, and a full mooooooon, watching Mr Bunny Naughty Hop Hop, muching on yer plot, but hey.... theres enough for all, unless Mr Bunny NaughtyHop Hop, has brought all his family and friends..... naughty Mr bunny naughty Hop Hop
Naughty Naughty

3rd bable alert

cHeErS

oZzY %)

xx

good_life_girl · « **Reply #8 on:** September 02, 2003, 12:17:34 »

Thanks guys - I'm more and more tempted by a greenhouse.

I'm lucky that our allotments are very sheltered and well out of the way of prowling vandals. Also we don't have any regulations on what can be put up on a plot. There are plenty of more expensive greenhouses than what I'm planning so I should be OK!

However I might invest in a lockable box (or bribe the other half to make one I suppose - should have paid attention in those woodwork classes at school) so I can keep my bits & pieces safe.

Will have to think about where I can get some foundations...

legless · « **Reply #9 on:** September 02, 2003, 12:35:12 »

i have a shed with very dodgy greenhouse extension, however apparently there are a few breakins so i shall be getting one of those lockable boxes to keep my tools in as i think thats a lot safer and certainly a lot easier than carrying a spade on my bike :D

we are going to take the glass out of the glasshouse over winter and try to strengthen it before putting that plastic sheeting stuff back on. i don't reckon its saveable so we'll probably end up taking it down in the end....

Chloe · « **Reply #10 on:** September 02, 2003, 20:16:29 »

If I had the choice, it would have to be a shed. Maybe, not the right choice but a shed and an allotment and I'd never come home. Oh, and of course my ponds, always my ponds :)

ina · « **Reply #11 on:** September 03, 2003, 00:01:28 »

You were wondering about a foundation for a greenhouse. Ours is sitting with it's feet in cement that was poured into holes in the ground.

If I could not have both a shed and a greenhouse, I would opt for a greenhouse. When it rains you can sit in a greenhouse but you cannot grow peppers and tomatoes in a shed. A strong tool box with lock will keep your tools (fairly) safe and dry. Good luck. Ina

allotment_chick · « **Reply #12 on:** September 03, 2003, 00:05:02 »

Yo Ina - Greetings to the board! Have you had your harvest celebration on your site yet? AC (also beeb boarder) :o)

ina · « **Reply #13 on:** September 03, 2003, 00:14:08 »

Not yet. It will be the last saturday in september. I am mostly looking forward to the fantastic snacks this lady from Surinam always makes for the party. I'll let you know how it was, the exhibition I mean. Good to see you here. Ina

LynneA · « **Reply #14 on:** September 03, 2003, 13:32:14 »

The new issue of Kitchen Garden magazine has an article about this gut in Ireland who lives in his polytunnel - maybe that's the way forward!

cdchater · « **Reply #15 on:** September 03, 2003, 18:21:08 »

I'm going to buy a shed rather than a greenhouse - so I can keep warm in the winter. Anyone know of the best place to get one from? I've been on the B&Q website and their sheds start from £98...anyone found anything cheaper?

cdchater · « **Reply #16 on:** September 03, 2003, 18:22:27 »

Forgot to mention - there's postage of about £40 on top of this (and you have to assemble it yourself!!)

good_life_girl · « **Reply #17 on:** September 04, 2003, 14:15:02 »

I know! I think it's scandalous!
I'm trying to find either shed or greenhouse (still haven't decided so leaving it to the fate of which I find first!!) through ebay or loot/local paper. But that's kindof limiting as I'm having problems finding something in my local area that I can collect - it's not like I can ask someone to pop one in the post!
Then when I do find one it's right out of my budget!
Oh well, sure something will turn up, but any hints on other places to try would be good!

Ceri · « **Reply #18 on:** September 04, 2003, 14:18:10 »

have you tried adtrader.co.uk - people sometimes advertise them 'free to collector'. That's what I'm looking out for at the moment - paying out for a brand new shed just seems to go against the whole philosophy of allotmenteering!

teresa · « **Reply #19 on:** September 04, 2003, 14:26:16 »

Hi we have a free paper called Friday-ad has a web site and covers quite an aera.
When I got the lottie I thought a caravan shell would be good dry warm make a cuppa and sit in comfort and windows ha ha ;D. So I got a shed :-/ ha ha Teresa

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Author Topic: Greenhouse or shed? (Read 3649 times)

Ozzy_aka_Pothead

Ozzy_aka_Pothead