A dear friend has just moved house and needs a greenhouse. Not just any old greenhouse though, she needs something that is well designed, long lasting and attractive to provide growing space for her plants.
It’s not difficult to point out the quality glasshouses now available, but how to decide whether to opt for timber or powder coated aluminium, well that’s another matter entirely.
Personal taste, choice and needs come into play.
Decisions, decisions.
My advice? Take your time.
Choose the biggest and the best you can afford. Invest in ventilation, the more the better; you can’t add it as easily later on.
Position the greenhouse somewhere central or accessible so you don’t have to hike down to the bottom of the garden just to check your plants, it’s also cheaper to run electricity and water supplies into it if it is nearer the house.
You’ll spend more time in your greenhouse if you can get to it easily and often. Keep it way from overhanging trees, the leaves clog the gutters and the branches shade it when you need the light, plus trees have a nasty habit of falling down or dropping branches.
Keep the apex running east west for the best light levels and think about shading, insulation and staging before you make your final decision.
Fortunately there’s plenty of useful advice on the Internet, not forgetting the Growhouse site itself.
A greenhouse is for life not just for Christmas, choosing one is an exciting adventure so spend some time, weigh up all your options and the costs and make the right choice for you, your garden and your plants.
