With a few late nights and a long day and the greenhouse is getting a little nearer to completion.
I ran a course of blocks around the base to lift the greenhouse higher as they never seem to be tall enough. It means I've got a large step to get in and out but at least I've got a bit of head room.
The main trouble with these blocks was the fact that I didn't finish laying them until 10 O'clock on the evening! Not what most people are doing on a Saturday night! I was surprised how level they were in the morning considering how many were laid with a head torch!
Dad, feeling sorry for me, came and gave me a hand with his little apprentice, Nick, to help put the frame up. With no instructions and about a thousand pieces there was quite a bit of trial and error involved. I think at one point we each broke down and wept as we took it apart to put it back together again for the fiftieth time.
 |
| Greenhouses side by side. What do you think I should do with the gap in between? |
By the end of the day the frame was up and only a few bolts missing which I brought from a local DIY shop the next day.
Next job is to sort out the floor (it's going to be a temporary measure until the winter) and then get the glass in. Cutting it fine as I've got lots of tomatoes that are ready to go in there!
I remember shedding a few tears putting our greenhouse up there must be an easier way. I didn't think about you tall fellas and the height, you could design your own Mans version??
ReplyDeleteThat's what's needed. about a foot taller would be good. these blocks (and now a 4x3 timber as well) should help keep it a bit higher so I don't bang my head so much. I also think it's a bit better for the plants as it lets them have more air circulating.
DeleteThe gap between my greenhouses is used for water barrels that come off the greenhouses and storing pots and trays and buckets and bags of compost it dosent take long to fill it, I also have a redundant plastic compost bin that i use to stand all the canes in.
ReplyDeleteYour greenhouse is looking great and I like the idea you have raised it off the ground not so easy for mice to get in.
Yeah it should stop the rodents a bit more. I was also thinking of gluing copper coins across the doorway so it would stop the slugs and snails as well.
DeleteI'd like to keep it so I can walk up to my chickens to give them all the weeds to chew on. Also at some point I'm going to have the chicken pen as veg garden as well (but not for a while). I was considering building a narrow cold frame to harden off plants or maybe a path with the water butts like you said. I'm going to have to have a measure up and decide before the weeds start growing there.
It looks great so far - I too hate being in low roofed buildings and I am not tall!! It will be fantastic once it is finished - and the comment about using the space between is excellent!!
ReplyDeleteI'm pleased because I don't think you could tell that its 30years old. Much cheaper than buying new!
DeleteIt looks great. A really good idea with the blocks round the base, both for keeping vermin out and to raise the height. Even at 5'6" I used to find my old greenhouse felt claustrophobically low and Lovely Hubby developed a stoop if he was in there too long.
ReplyDeleteIt was more for hight but keeping the mice out is a really good added bonus. My other greenhouse is raised up but still too low!
DeleteA job well done,as they say!
ReplyDeleteJane x
So far but it's not finished yet!
DeleteWell done!
ReplyDeleteI would put down a weed-proof, water permeable membrane, gravel and then narrow cold frames and have the water butts at the front/sides.
I need to buy some more weed proof membrane, but the gravel is probably the best idea, I can harden off my plants there then.
DeleteDh built our greenhouse from some free plans we printed off the net. I was amazed! It was a bit of a trial but I have used that greenhouse sooooo much. Can't think of anything for in the between.
ReplyDeleteBuilding one from scratch sounds like fun! With your climate I'm surprised you need a greenhouse!
DeleteOh my, building by head lamp, now that is dedication! A greenhouse like that is on my wish list :) Nice work!
ReplyDelete-Jaime
An ebay purchase. It's older than me but still sound!
DeleteLOL, hmmm..can't say the same for myself ;)
Delete