Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Chatting => Equipment Shed => Topic started by: Chas62 on December 29, 2013, 09:27

Title: plastic greenhouse
Post by: Chas62 on December 29, 2013, 09:27

I am thinking of getting a greenhouse. I see the plastic ones are cheaper. Does anyone have one and are they good enough? I heard that they let in less light. I live in south london and I want to save money and get a good greenhouse at the same time what's your experience on this?

Title: Re: plastic greenhouse
Post by: wbmkk on December 29, 2013, 10:18

If your proposed site is windy .. avoid these plastic greenhouses.

Have a look in the local press . folk are often selling or even giving away their old greenhouses. OK, you'll have to dismantle it first, but if I can do it (and did) so can anybody

Title: polycarbonate greenhouse
Post by: Chas62 on December 29, 2013, 15:47

Does anyone have experience of polycarbonate greenhouses with aluminium frames? I understand they let in less light, but they are cheaper and safer. I live in London. Would you recommend it against glass ones? I want to establish seedlings in it and then grow tomatoes, peppers etc. I would appreciate your opinions, thanks.

Title: Re: polycarbonate greenhouse
Post by: tosca100 on December 29, 2013, 16:29

I had one when i was in the UK and it was great. The biggest problem was trying to keep the sheets in place when there were gale force winds as it was in a bit of a wind tunnel, but if bits blew off we just put them in the garage till it abated. However there was never a problem when we had stuff in it.

There was no problem with light levels, no leggy seedlings. I used to pack it full with tomatoes, peppers, aubergines and cucumbers for the summer though I preferred to grow outside. The greenhouse was just for insurance in case of bad weather and for propogation. It is easy to fit an auto opening window thingy from the garden centre.

Title: Re: polycarbonate greenhouse
Post by: sunshineband on December 29, 2013, 16:58

MY daughter had one in her previous garden, as with young children she thought it might be safer than glass. No issues with light levels, but as Tosca said panes were prone to disappear in very high winds... they can be put back in of course

Title: Re: plastic greenhouse
Post by: Chas62 on December 29, 2013, 21:18

Thanks for the replies. Glad to know the light is not a problem. Helpful to know about the wind problem. Good idea about the window opener. With that I could put it in the allotment.