Kitchen Garden Forum

I am really excited, my new greenhouse is our project for this weekend! It is only a small 6 by 4 one, but I think it will be enough for me. Any tips for obvious things to do or not do while putting it up will be appreciated. Also going to be checking out the carlingfords, ripping down the old beans and harvesting all the beetroot for bottling.

My new runner beans, sown on July 26th have got almost every flower converted to bean. Do you think it is because it is late in the season, or just a better quality seed ( afraid I don't know the variety). As long as we don't get a frost in the next couple of weeks, I should be in for a brief glut!

Is the greenhouse metal or wood? Is it second hand? With an aluminium one, be sure that you've put all the bolts in the rails that you need, where you need them. It's a chore having to undo a part of the frame that you've just done up in order to get an extra bolt in where one is missing, for a piece of cross-bracing or some such. if it's second hand, clean each sheet of glass before putting it in place — it doesn't take very long and you'll be glad of it. Use dilute vinegar. Also, make sure that you know which sheets of glass are for the side and which are for the roof. With a greenhouse of the one you're erecting, it's likely that the rectangular panes are for the roof, square ones for the side. Be particularly careful with the glass for the louvre window, if you have one. If you break a pane, don't immediately break it up and dispose of it: if you have another one break you may be able to cut two in two to make up a whole one, after a fashion. If you do break too many panes and need to buy more, be sure to ask for horticultural glass, which is much cheaper. It might seem a contrary recommendation, but don't wear gloves when handling the glass.
That ought to get you started.

Well i always like to start at the bottom, get the base as level and as square as possible, it saves a lot of hassle later on.

Regarding the good set on your runner beans, i'm sure it's to do with the cooler temperatures.

I think they are predicting frosts above your garden tonight.

Well if not tonight then at the begining of next week which is nearly a month early for us

Thanks for the advice FelixLeiter and OH, it is a new Aluminium one, so will take note of all your comments. Not rushing should help!

No, frost . I wonder if I can wrap the wigwam in fleece - its not huge??? It will be such a shame to lose them now!

Elle - I'm amazed your new runner beans are flowering at this time of year. My last flowers didn't like the cooler nights and the tiny beans on them just shrivveled up, even though they were against a south facing fence and in a sun trap. Are they planted outside?

Hi Primrose,

They are outside in a large tub, which is under a ginko tree about 5 ft from the house, sheltered on 3 sides by house and 2 walls, south facing (the open end). The house itself is in a valley to the north of the South Downs so we often have a bit of a micro climate - usually warmer than on the surrounding hills. I am hoping we can get to November like most years before a frost because I reckon another 5 - 7 days before the first ones can really be picked.

The frame of my greenhouse is up, glazing tomorrow, but if you had seen us standing in the garden holding the pieces without knowing what to do with them you would have laughed. It wasn't until Tim noticed numbers etched on to the pieces that we could get started. We will find out tomorrow what we have done wrong when we try and put the glass in!

Forgot to mention the numbers.

Hope the end of the week-end sees you at the end of your project. Sounds rather like the good old days trying to put MFI flatpack furniture together ! But once it's up I bet you won't be able to keep out of your new abode. I've always imagined the nicest time to be in a greenhouse is when it's pouring down with rain, you can hear it beating down on the roof and you're tucked inside all nice and dry, preferably with a hot cjup of tea.

Hi Elle's Garden. Please make sure your new greenhouse is secured to its base. A bit obvious, I know but a lady on our allotment site disregarded the advice she got from seasoned gardeners......(she assumed the weight of the glass would be enough to hold it in place) the first winter gales saw it blown down the plot and twisted beyond repair. She had to get another one...it is well battened down and she even has guy ropes slung over it as a belt and braces job!
Cheers.

Thanks OH

Hi Elaine, it is definitely secured to the base, I witnessed it being done! Another strange moment as we had to work out how to put the clips on the glass - it took a while!

But it is up now and all glazed I can't wait to get going doing something now! Celebratory meal tonight of Carlingford potatoes, carrots and roast parsnips, all from the pots!! Oh and a nice rib of beef to go with the veg...

I feel a little further down the path to becoming a gardener now.

Cogratulations to you both, on a good job done.

Bet you keep having a quick peep at it, with thoughts of things that now can be grown when the weathers bad.

Well done again.

Hi Elle's Garden. I'm sure you will enjoy your greenhouse! I can potter around for hours in mine, I only wish it was in our garden instead of on the allotment.....on second thoughts...perhaps not! I'd never get anything done in the house on my days off from work, as it takes very little to divert my attention from housework, at the best of times! I can always find something better to do with my time!
Enjoy!
Cheers.

We bolted our shed too to a couple of fence post well set into the ground as sheds have a habith of blowing away on our plot.

The greenhouse has a base made of large concrete blocks which the greenhouse bolts in to so that is secure.

Hi Elle's Garden,

Congratulations on getting the greenhouse finished. It's a real feeling of achievement isn't it
Back in the early 1980s I bought a 12 x 8 aluminium greenhouse, and I remember feeling as pleased as punch when I had it finished. Kept looking out the window to see if it was still there