Help with fitting a greenhouse into a tiny garden with pictures.

TallGirl

Hi Guys
I have posted about this on MrBadExamples thread but I dont want to spam it so to speak so hope you dont mind me starting a new one.

I have a tiny garden which had a major make over last year with a new patio, deck and a veg patch. However I have been lusting after a greenhouse for ages and ages. I was convinced I could only fit a mini one in until I found the one my mum has in Denmark. This one:

As you can see its basically hexagonal 2.2m x 2.5m so the plan is the have a base build of level paving slabs 3 x 3m and put it on there.

I have laid it out in blue rope to get an idea (unfortunately I dont have the base of the greenhouse so cannot get a complete idea yet.

Left had side is the veg patch just about 6ft deep and the bit at the front is the patio so not huge as you can imagine.
You might be able to see the blue rope a bit better here:


The fency side is pure North facing so not much light I know is it worth it?
Only other place to put it is in my lovely veg patch which is South facing but would severely limit my growing options.
This picture is before I put the fruit trees in so at least two would have to come out if I do put it on the South facing side. Veg patch is 8m long x 1.8m wide and just about big enough for my needs as it is.


Finally before this becomes an epic long post my mail aim with the greenhouse is to have some where to potter about (seeds/seedlings etc), somewhere to raise veg from seed to seedling (easier with the slugs) and somewhere to sit with a mug of tea (no conservatory).

What do you think? What would you do?

Really appreciate some thoughts, is a North facing greenhouse better than no greenhouse.

flashnazia

Your garden isn't tiny!

yoyoegg

A small greenhouse can get super-hot and "cook" seeds within hours, so north facing isn't a bad thing!

TallGirl

Thanks Flashnazia and yoyoegg I guess it feels tiny as we are missing a corner (next doors is rectangular) plus both my mum and sister live in barn conversions with acres of garden.

Hadn't thought of it getting too hot, I guess I would not need to use shading for it.

I do want to grow cucumber and tomato (only need 1 plant of each) and maybe pepper but they need lots of sun don't they.

Helen2k8

Will it sit right up by the decking? If you move those couple of pots? Just thinking of all the little paths you'll trample over the lawn otherwise, plus it might get a bit more light away from that fence?

yoyoegg

If you were willing to forego the sitting inside it, a coldframe is far more useful for bringing seedlings on than a greenhouse...

esmf73

My garden is similarly challenged!!! Have young kids, so climbing frame area, plus moveable trampoline (helps with ds disability), decked area with shed on (used for storage and coal ATM!). Have bought 6ft square greenhouse and will be squeezing it in next to garage. Am making the garden pay for itself by removing any dying plants or weeds and replacing them with soft fruit trees, apple trees and rhubarb. Planning on growing lots in pots so the dogs and kids don't disturb the seedlings!

TallGirl

Helen2k8 wrote: »

Will it sit right up by the decking? If you move those couple of pots? Just thinking of all the little paths you'll trample over the lawn otherwise, plus it might get a bit more light away from that fence?

Thanks I will have a look later might block the front of the deck.

Yoyoegg I had thought of a cold frame but I recon with some staging I should get room for quite a few in the greenhouse. Also I am sorry but a lot of the a really plastic ones.

Esmf73 sounds like your garden has to be really multi functional and you are right about getting rid of plants that don't do anything. The ones I have growing against the fence where put in my me when we got the house (brand new) 18 years ago. They like the shade so I shall trim them back and that will be it. Not many fruit and veg plants like growing agains a 6ft north facing fence so they can stay.

Sambucus_Nigra

I have a greenhouse in the courtyard, it has a garden room to one side, an old cornmill and wall 5ft in front of the door, a wall to the other side and a 5ft square area at the back where we sit and have cold drinks in the hot summer.

The good things about mine is that it's sheltered so although it might not get maximum light, I still had tomatoes growing this december [and I picked the last 2 on christmad eve], and I still have about 5 chilli and pepper plants growing, flowering and fruiting - and it's unheated - and we are in the midlands.

So, I'd put it so that you can see it from the house, and can use and enjoy it in the garden and not worry too much about light - that fence isn't too tall for the greenhouse to be too blocked.

Not sure why you are choosing one with knocked off corners though - the rule is to get the biggest you possibly can as you will fill it.

TallGirl

=Sambucus Nigra;58921043So, I'd put it so that you can see it from the house, and can use and enjoy it in the garden and not worry too much about light - that fence isn't too tall for the greenhouse to be too blocked.

Not sure why you are choosing one with knocked off corners though - the rule is to get the biggest you possibly can as you will fill it.

Thanks Sambrucus it's good to know light isn't everything my mum said much the same thing as the heat can kill plants as well.

I might move it a tad closer to the fence but as the slabs are 50x50cm I am going to have the 4 corners cut off diagonal it looks so much better I think.

As for having the corners cut off the green house I see your logic but I love the shape and I want a garden to sit in and visually be a garden not a huge veg patch.

Thanks for all your help I will post pictures when it's up.

Ps: that might be some time as my mum said they really struggled to put theirs up but they did do it in the end.

TallGirl

Right work has been done I now have a base down but are still waiting for delivery of the greenhouse. Builder chap will secure the base to the slabs I just need to do the rest. Thought you might like a picture of my entire back garden.