Greenhouse Growing

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Greenhouse Growing

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StrawberryJamrozy

Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1189
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 12 4:10 pm Post subject: Greenhouse Growing

Hi all,

I've just had a phonecall from the Mother to say that my Nan's next door neighbour is getting rid of a (good condition) glass greenhouse, compost bin and water butt, so I've taken ownership.
I've been on the look out for one for ages, but had no high hopes of getting one for a decent price.

So, once it gets here, I have an idea of what I'd like to grow in it, and as I'm not the best gardener, I'd like to start out with easy-to-grow things.
I've grown tomatoes, potatoes and herbs before, my rhubarb is in its 3rd year and my strawberry plants are still green from last year, but I hope to salvage them this year.

I would REALLY like to have a go at a grapevine, but not sure if I'd be taking on too much?

The greenhouse is (Mum thinks) a 6x4ft one, but I'll know more later when she pops round.

So first things going into the GH will be my strawberry plants, the rhubarb, my lemon tree and maybe some tomatoes and potatoes.
Can anybody recommend anything easy to grow that I can get my (almost) 3 year old son to join in with? I had the thought of beans, and as the greenhouse isn't huge, I don't want to grow anything that'll take over.

Any tips/hints/suggestions/advice would be great, as this'll be my first greenhouse.

Thanks!
Heidi

Sally Too

Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 2511
Location: N.Ireland

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 12 4:21 pm Post subject:

IMO Rhubarb should stay outside if space is limited.

Beans do better inside for me - so I'd include them inside - perhaps dwarf varieties if you are worried about height.

I have a grape vine in my 10x8 greenhouse. It grows up over the door and along a wire above the shelving on one side. It does try to take over and needs regular pruning through the summer. Perhaps if your greenhouse is small then the vine might be too much.

Strawberries do well in hanging baskets (if regularly watered!) and this means they don't take up valuable ground space.

Tomatoes are of course worth it and I like courgettes too - both are satisfying to grow.

Peas of course are great too - but will grow well outside....

Best use of greenhouse is for bringing on seedlings. Some flowers as well as veg are fun for kids.

Enjoy!

Nature'sgrafter

Joined: 22 Feb 2012
Posts: 527
Location: Sanday , Orkney

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 12 4:32 pm Post subject:

It nice that your so excited but can I say whoo girl.
A 6x4 greenhouse isn,t as big as you would think. What you need to do is prioritise things like rubbarb are best left out side and pottatoes too (unless you get a polytunnel and want to get some early early's ).
things like courgetts and runner beans and peas grow great outdoors but might take up too much room.
Think about things that like it warm, Tom's, chilli's, aubergeans, early strawberrys and basil.
If you companion plant you can use the ground covering strawberrys around the chilli,s and aubergeans as they grow tall (not sure how good you are with tom's or if you intend to grow salad or plum varietes (some are bush plants some straight up sticky things))

Lorrainelovesplants

Joined: 13 Oct 2006
Posts: 6521
Location: Dordogne

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 12 4:33 pm Post subject:
and early lettuces.......... cucumbers (only plant 1 - they get very big) and try italian variety tomatoes (they actually taste of tomatoes)

gythagirl

Joined: 18 Feb 2010
Posts: 1467
Location: Somerset

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 12 4:38 pm Post subject:
I believe grape vines are better in a greenhouse of their own (at least the people I know with a grape vine ONLY have that in the greenhouse). Rhubarb def leave outside. I'd say tomatoes, peppers, chillies, basil & coriander, new pots in pots, seedlings certainly, oh maybe a melon? Very exciting, you'll be like a kid in a sweetie shop

StrawberryJamrozy

Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1189
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Fri Feb 24, 12 8:10 pm Post subject:
How exciting; thank you for all your replies! I'll leave Ruby outside then. I think I'll leave the grapes until I'm a bit more 'in the know' and maybe have a bigger greenhouse! I'll amend my shopping list. I'm too excited!!

StrawberryJamrozy

Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1189
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Sun Mar 04, 12 7:38 pm Post subject:
Hi all, Have been to check out the greenhouse, and it's bigger than originally thought, I'd say it is a 6x8 or slightly larger. Does this give me more options for what I can grown? Thanks!

Nature'sgrafter

Joined: 22 Feb 2012
Posts: 527
Location: Sanday , Orkney

Posted: Sun Mar 04, 12 8:51 pm Post subject:

not as much as you would like I'm afraid if you want a reasonable crop of anything than a small selection will provided a good return

. But just for the experience a couple of each plant mentioned would be a good start so you can see the sizes they grow too.
P.S invest in a good thermometer with a max min register on it so you can monitor the temperature so that you know when it's right to plant your seedlings into it (i.e not too cold on a night) and when to open the window / door so it doesn't get too hot during the day. Also the cleaner your glass the healthier the plants.

snowball
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 6246
Location: swindon

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 12 8:43 am Post subject:
exciting stuff. I agree just a few plants of those suggested to start with. That way you will get a feel for what works for you, and understand how they grow.

StrawberryJamrozy

Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1189
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 12 4:25 pm Post subject:
It is very exciting! I just want to get it now, but the guy is gutting the house and redoing it all, so I think I may have to wait until he gets to the garden; I have absolutely no clue how to take it down!! (Any volunteers/tips?! ) Thank you, everyone, I'll just do a couple of tomato plants, and some strawberries, beans, etc

snowball
Downsizer Moderator

Joined: 28 Oct 2004
Posts: 6246
Location: swindon

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 12 4:45 pm Post subject:
I have a book you can borrow that you will find answers all your questions and gives you ideas. Wont be able to get to it for a few days though. House is topsy turvey because of builders.

Nell Merionwen

Joined: 02 Jun 2008
Posts: 16300
Location: Beautiful Derbyshire

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 12 5:02 pm Post subject:
no advice but Hello Heidi

Nature'sgrafter

Joined: 22 Feb 2012
Posts: 527
Location: Sanday , Orkney

Posted: Mon Mar 05, 12 9:12 pm Post subject: takeing it down

I have moved several greenhouse's in the past if you need any advice don't hesitate to ask,
PS be prepared to break a few of the nuts it happens you will need spares and get a pair of needle nose pliers for the clips that hold the glass in a good grip stops them pinging off into the wild blue. Also a couple of old coffee jars for the nuts and bolts and clips and s shaped glass supports . Oh and take lots and lots of pictures from all angles inside and out before you start.

OtleyLad

Joined: 13 Jan 2007
Posts: 2737
Location: Otley, West Yorkshire

Posted: Tue Mar 06, 12 8:12 am Post subject:
Worth having a couple of spanners - one to hold the nut and the other to turn the bolt (or vice-verca). Aluminium bolts can get quite crusty and be tough to unscrew.

StrawberryJamrozy

Joined: 19 May 2010
Posts: 1189
Location: Hampshire

Posted: Mon Apr 16, 12 1:09 pm Post subject:
Thanks everyone. Still don't have the greenhouse; the owner seems to be avoiding me! Might just get a new one with plastic windows - safer for the boy on that count. Thank you for all the advice, should a miracle occur, I know what tools to take with me Thanks!

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