Greenhouse Wisdom

Buyer's Guide

If you’ve taken the plunge and decided to buy a greenhouse, but are unsure of the best one for you, here John Negus talks you through the many options available.

It was a bleak mid-January. Wind whipped my witch hazel’s spidery golden flowers and the soil was hard with frost. In my heated greenhouse the contrast couldn’t be greater. Blissfully snug, warm and happy, and oblivious of racing storm clouds, I sowed half-hardy annuals and listened to the radio. A greenhouse, whether it is large or small, is indisputably a big asset and immensely satisfying. Making the right choice isn’t difficult. Study catalogues, visit display sites and chat with manufacturers. Be warned; your greenhouse will fill up quickly, so choose the largest structure that fits comfortably into your garden.

From Edward Owen’s aluminium range, the 003 Alton (£852) is a favourite of mine. Soundly constructed, it’s 3.75m (12ft 6in) long x 1.95m (6ft 5in) wide and 2.1m (7ft 1in) high. It comes with a 15cm (6in) deep integral alloy base, two large ventilators with auto-vent openers, gutters, down pipes and crop supports.

Another aluminium stalwart, from Robinsons, which has been in the business for over 50 years, is the 1.95m (6ft.6in) x 3.2m (10ft 8in) Regent, which costs between £1,175 and £1,430 depending upon finish. It’s 1.6m (5ft 6in) to the eaves, so there’s plenty of head room. Fitted with 4mm toughened glass, two roof vents and automatic openers, its sliding door is a joy to open. A ground-level threshold prevents tripping. Victorian ridge cresting is an extra £185. The frame carries a free 10-year guarantee.

If you prefer a tongued and grooved Western Red Cedarwood model with a double door, then choose Regal’s glass-to-ground Suffolk, 3.2m (10ft 6in) x 2.7m (8ft 8in) for £826, which has three vents. A boarded base, for warmth (£216) is an investment if you plan to raise seedlings. Other companies such as Norfolk, Access, Alitex, Alton, Backwoodsman, Cambridge, Eden Greenhouses, Hartley, Whitehouse, Solardome, Halls, Store More, Headen and Pounds make superb structures in which you’ll be able to raise fine plants.

Right top to bottom: Perfect for families, the Regent from Robinsons is fitted with toughened glass.For added warmth choose the Western Red Cedarwood Suffolk from Regal. The Alton from Edward Owen comes with crop supports

On a budget
If you are on a budget there are a number to choose from. My first greenhouse was a metal structure draped with PVC plastic. Yet, despite its simplicity, tomatoes and cucumbers romped within it and cropped hugely.

I applaud Norfolk’s galvanised-steel Excel range, from the 1.2m (4ft) long Junior to the 3.6m (12ft) Professional. All models are 1.8m (6ft) wide and 2m (6ft 9in) high. Clad with stabilised clear-glass, semi-rigid panels secured with white PVC trim, there’s a sliding door and opening window. Prices range from £120 to £225 and there is a £10 delivery charge and a five-year guarantee.

Left: The Excel from Norfolk is ideal for those on a budget

Another bargain purchase is Regal’s aluminium Europa Manor, The Countess, which is 1.6m (5ft 3in) x 1.89m (6ft. 4in). Around 2.1m (7ft) to the ridge, it’s £282 if glazed with horticultural glass, or £379 if clad with impact-resistant safety glass or polycarbonate. The price is inclusive of the base. There’s also a plethora of optional extras. A Louvermatic vent opener priced at £26.50 is also a worthwhile purchase.

A prized buy is Store More Garden Buildings’ span roofed 1.6m (6ft 3in) x 1.3m (4ft.5in) Gardenmaster which costs just £205.

Another productive and good-value structure is Alton’s new 1.89m (6ft. 4in) x 2.4m (8ft) Cedarwood Popular. Just £539, it has a roof vent and comes with concrete base kerbs. It comes in pre-assembled, pre-glazed sections for easy assembly. Extras include louvered side vents, rainwater guttering, shelving and staging. It is aimed at those who want the extended growing season of a cedar greenhouse, but would have settled for aluminium due to cost.

Fit an automatic drip-feed watering system to save work and improve performance

Limited space

If you are tight for space then check out Backwoodsman which is famed for its superbly crafted and wind and snow resistant aluminium and steel Growmate pyramids. Perfect for patios, balconies and roof gardens they come in three sizes: Standard – 1.57m high (5ft 2in) x 1.52m (5ft) wide, £399; Mini – a foot smaller all round, £349 and Micro – 1.25m (4ft. 1in) high x 60cm (2ft) wide, £199. Delivery is extra on all sizes. They’re cleverly ventilated, and each has a polycarbonate door panel, central column and five swivel trays.

Access has introduced the versatile Baby (£294). Just 90cm (3ft) long and 50cm (20in) deep, it comes with a heated base, sliding ventilation panels and two adjustable 6mm-thick, toughened glass shelves.

Stylish and thermally very efficient, Alton’s wooden 1.8m (6ft) x 2.4m (8ft) Octagonal space saver (£999) adds grace to a garden. Concrete base kerbs are £108 on top and extra windows can be added to the existing two. Halls’ Hexagonal and Headens’ Octagonal – both aluminium – and Whitehouse’s Western red cedar version, also get my vote.