At the beginning of April, the temperatures suddenly started to get much lower at night. It seems the beginning of frosty weather was imminent. My tomatoes, which were planted very late, were growing so well - it seemed a shame to lose them! I mentioned to my husband that perhaps we should cover them with plastic or something, to see if we could keep them going a bit longer. He said something along the lines of "we need a greenhouse anyway" which got me thinking - the tomatoes were actually growing in a spot that would be pretty ideal for a small greenhouse......
On April 10th, we had a very, very light frost in the morning. THAT'S IT! I decided - off to the building supply store with a sketch and some measurements, and home with a load of supplies for a simple, quick to build greenhouse. My daughter and I began digging post holes about 5pm, shortly before my husband got home from work as it was becoming dark. "Family" said I, "We're building a greenhouse tonight, and no one is going to bed until it's done!"
So, by the light of a portable lamp, we did, indeed, build a greenhouse. The temperatures were dropping rapidly - we all had to rug up in jerseys and jackets, hats and gloves. We finished about 11pm, by which time WE were frozen. But the tomatoes were safely covered.
The funny thing is, a casual observer from a distance could have been forgiven for thinking we were working in our clandestine "weed" patch. LOL
On April 10th, we had a very, very light frost in the morning. THAT'S IT! I decided - off to the building supply store with a sketch and some measurements, and home with a load of supplies for a simple, quick to build greenhouse. My daughter and I began digging post holes about 5pm, shortly before my husband got home from work as it was becoming dark. "Family" said I, "We're building a greenhouse tonight, and no one is going to bed until it's done!"
So, by the light of a portable lamp, we did, indeed, build a greenhouse. The temperatures were dropping rapidly - we all had to rug up in jerseys and jackets, hats and gloves. We finished about 11pm, by which time WE were frozen. But the tomatoes were safely covered.
The funny thing is, a casual observer from a distance could have been forgiven for thinking we were working in our clandestine "weed" patch. LOL
First, a frame work of timber.
Then steel reinforcing mesh over sides and top.
Then plastic over the lot. A 4m wide roll of greenhouse plastic went up one side, over the roof, and down the other nicely. I used lighter plastic for the ends, as they're temporary - intended to be replaced with a door at the front etc later on. Meanwhile, the front is hung in two pieces which overlap when down. Simple, but it works. At 11pm my husband declared it was time for bed. Finishing touches to be added later.....
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