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No, we have been in business for approx. 30 years and have a large comprehensive show site at Wisbech; you can read all about our company by clicking here.

Greenhouse gardening is very rewarding in itself:

• You can grow your own vegetables and other plants from seed.
• Take cuttings to increase your plant stock.
• Extend the growing season and have fresh early vegetables and Tomatoes.
• Grow fruit and vegetables that don't like the British climate, e.g. Cucumbers, peppers, melons etc.
• Or just use it to over winter those special plants.
  

A greenhouse needs maximum sunlight so choose a sunny, sheltered site away from overhanging trees.

A firm, level and well-drained site is essential.

Plants require a lot of water every day, so your greenhouse should be close to a supply of running water if possible, otherwise collect as much rain into rainwater barrels as possible from your greenhouse.

Modern greenhouses, with their strong but slender glazing bars, allows the maximum amount of light into the greenhouse, so the orientation is not as important as it was in the 'old days' when only timber greenhouses where available with their thick timber supports and glazing bars.

If you intend to grow plants over the winter period, you are going to need some form of heating. Electricity is the easiest to use, so you will have to consider this point when planning the positioning of your new greenhouse.

Don't forget your neighbors when considering where to site your new greenhouse, they may not appreciate it in full view of their window or garden.

Consider how you are going to get to the greenhouse, you may have to lay extra paving and don't forget the washing line!

Most manufacturers of aluminium greenhouse offer a galvanised or aluminium base plinth as an optional extra, others offer an integral base, either as a base plinth built into the greenhouse structure or as a ground level base rail, the latter is more suitable for disabled gardeners.

If you don't wish to build onto any of the above, you can obtain accurate base sizes from your supplier to enable you to construct a brick or concrete base.

Timber greenhouses are built either onto brick, concrete, concrete slabs or timber bases; some manufacturers supply a pre-cast concrete base as an optional extra with their greenhouses.

The most important thing is to make sure you get the base level and square, to get the base square it must be the same length on both sides and the same width at each end, then measure ACURATLY diagonally from corner to corner, once you have the same measurement from both diagonals the base will be square.
To obtain this you may have to adjust the side or end measurements slightly, making sure you finish up with the same measurement given by the manufacturer.

All greenhouses come complete with comprehensive, fully illustrated assembly instructions. All you require is a firm level site, a spirit level, usually a 10mm open ended spanner, a screwdriver, a stepladder and a spade to dig out the holes for the ground anchors.
The aluminium frame simply bolts together to form a strong rigid and safe structure and with all the glass cut to size so that you can comfortably erect your new greenhouse over a weekend.
Tip: Don't over tighten the bolts, as they are made from aluminium and will easily 'ring off' if pulled up too tight, just finger tighten then give a final turn with the spanner.

Horticultural glass has, for many years, been the universal norm and is still used extensively, the main drawback is if you are unfortunate enough to break a pane, as it will splinter into jagged pieces, where as toughened glass brakes in the same way as a car window screen, into small harmless pieces.
However, toughened glass is many times more expensive to replace than horticultural glass, but will take a lot of 'bashing' before it brakes. It is best when purchasing toughened glass to make sure, where possible, it is 'full length' glass, which will be easier to keep clean.
Tip: Don't be afraid of glass, it is when you are afraid of it and start gripping it too firmly, because you think you might drop it, that it is more likely to break, but don't ever loose your respect for it!
If you still don't feel confident enough to handle the horticultural glass, our advice is to purchase the toughened, or employ a professional erector to do the job for you.

Just to put the record straight, the 'painted' aluminium greenhouses are not 'painted' in the true meaning, the colouring is a type of electro plating, done in the same way at the same factories as the aluminium double-glazing is done.
The benefits are:

• Easy to keep clean, just wipe over with a cloth.
• Prevents any possibility of metal corrosion
• Most manufacturers only offer green or black, others offer a whole range of colours, enabling you to 'colour' scheme your greenhouse to suit the surrounds.
  

Any good nurseryman will tell you that 'cleanliness is next to godliness '. Always try to keep your greenhouse tidy, clearing up any spilt compost or decaying vegative material that will develop into disease.
Sterilize all the pots and seed boxes before you use them with a good GARDEN disinfectant suitable for the job.
Always use fresh compost don't be tempted to use 'used' compost, as this will probably contain disease and harmful 'bugs'.
Keep any water containers clean, as this is one of the easiest ways to contaminate your plants and compost.
Wash any concrete slabs down periodically within the greenhouse with disinfectant.
Keep the outside of your greenhouse clean, especially the glass, so that you precious young plants get the maximum amount of light.
During hot weather watering should take place if possible in the morning and evening. However, if your plants dry out during the day WATER THEM, because if you don't they may be dead by the evening, try to keep the water off the leaves of delicate plants if the weather is very hot.
When watering your plants, give them a good watering to wet the whole of the compost in the pot, then leave them until the compost is back to just moist again, don't let it get too dry so that the plant wilt.
By allowing the compost to 'dry out' a little, this will allow the air to enter, so that the roots can breath, many plants are 'killed off' by kindness in over watering.
Don't 'dribble' when watering; if the plant needs watering give it a good watering, as described above, 'dribbling' is the main cause of over watering.
You hear people say 'I water my plants every day' this is wrong, you, usually, only drink yourself when you need it; so only give your plants a drink when THEY need it.

Good ventilation is essential - air circulation reduces the risk of, for instance grey mould and other diseases.
To give you an idea, a 6' x 8' greenhouse needs at least 2 roof ventilators and in our opinion a louvre vent situated, if practically possible, at a low level in the back of the greenhouse.
It is advisable, if you are going to be away for long periods during the day, or want to have a 'lay-in' on Sunday morning, to purchase at least one roof auto vent opener, so that that the greenhouse doesn't get too hot and ruin all your hard work.
Overheating can be prevented by shading, with either special netting, blinds or painting a shading material onto the outside of the glass, this can be rubbed off in the autumn.

Yes if you have any other questions you would like answering please email them to us, and if we feel they are appropriate we will add them to this F.A.Q's