TOP 5 MISTAKES FIRST-TIME GREENHOUSE BUYERS MAKE 

–       80 percent of new greenhouse enquiries are made in spring –

–        1 in 10 new enquiries are made by complete greenhouse novices –

–       Period greenhouse maker White Cottage Greenhouses, outlines the top 5 mistakes made by first-time purchasers –

Spring is the busiest time of year for new greenhouse enquiries. Every year, White Cottage Greenhouses, the family-run period greenhouse maker based in Sandbach, Cheshire, receives 80% of its new greenhouse enquiries in spring, with April and May being by far the most hectic months. Of these new enquiries, a surprising 1 in 10 are made by those who have never owned a greenhouse before and are complete novices. With White Cottages’ beautiful, handcrafted, period structures costing upwards of £7,000, investing in a costly, permanent structure with little knowledge of how you might use it, could lead to costly regrets.

Greenhouse novices often purchase greenhouses that are too small for future lifestyle needs, are the wrong shape for growing their plants of choice or are sited inappropriately for power and drainage. While a desire for a ‘greenhouse lifestyle,’ and the attractiveness of a greenhouse as a garden centrepiece may be appealing, there are some important considerations to make before purchasing one.

Tori Tomlin, Director at White Cottage Greenhouses said; “It has always surprised us how many enquiries we get every year from complete greenhouse novices, especially seeing as we specialise in handcrafted, made-to-order luxury buildings. Many homeowners see a carefully crafted period greenhouse as ‘the cherry on top’ of a perfectly landscaped garden, and the lifestyle it promises is something they are keen to adopt.

“The idea of growing your own has romantic, slow living connotations that is very appealing, as is the idea of pottering around a greenhouse when it’s raining, or using it as a hosting space in the summer months. These garden dreams are often enough to push people through what is, in reality, a big purchasing decision.

“However, investing in an luxury greenhouse with little or no prior experience can be a costly mistake – there are important mistakes to avoid at the design stage, so you don’t end up with a structure you can’t get the best out of.”

For those considering purchasing a greenhouse for the first time, White Cottage has shared the five most common mistakes to avoid.

1.      First-time owner mistake – buying a greenhouse that is too small

White Cottage has found that most greenhouse novices tend to select the smallest buildings in their range, which often prove to be too small long term. Tori Tomlin said; “We often have new greenhouse owners come back to us wanting to extend their first structure, or even buy an additional companion greenhouse because the initial building is now too small. It is far more practical for new greenhouse owners to choose a mid-sized structure so they have more flexibility to develop how they use the space as their knowledge grows.”

When assessing the size of the greenhouse to buy, consider carefully how you would like to use the space and what you would like to grow. Deciding about whether the greenhouse will be used for seating or entertaining is also an important consideration when deciding on size.

2.      First-time owner mistake – not knowing the benefits of certain designs

   Tori Tomlin said; “Novice greenhouse owners tend to make structure choices based on aesthetics, not realising that different greenhouse designs serve specific growing needs. The most common gap in knowledge is around the need to choose a lean-to greenhouse over a freestanding model.”

·        Lean-to: If you have the opportunity, incorporating a high wall into your greenhouse offers many benefits. The pioneering Victorians paved the way with all manner of lean-to designs, varying the roof pitch to optimise (or lessen) solar gain, and digging down to create a more protected, temperature-controlled environment in which exotics of the time such as melons, tomatoes and cucumbers could flourish. A high wall is the ideal support for vines and other fruit trees which also benefit from the slow release of heat from the brickwork as the greenhouse cools at the end of the day. You may have a suitable wall in your garden – a boundary wall or a house, garage or outbuilding wall, which you can commandeer. Or you can build a wall to suit. If you’re really keen to incorporate a high wall but have a limitation on how high that can be, a three-quarter span design could be the solution. Most commonly adjoining the side of the wall via a valley junction, this is a great way to claim more headroom in the greenhouse without needing to compromise on the roof pitch.

·        Freestanding: You get more greenhouse bang for your hard-earned buck if you have room for a freestanding structure, and if you have flexibility on the specific dimensions, choosing an “off-the-peg” standard building will save you money. White Cottage’s range of Signature buildings will satisfy many gardeners and a wide variety of gardens and share common features such as standardised bay widths and defined ventilation options. As tried and tested options, they don’t require the same design time as a bespoke project.

3.      First-time owner mistake – not knowing their greenhouse needs maintenance

Tori Tomlin said; “First-time purchasers focus on preparing themselves for the work that might be involved when maintaining the plants in the greenhouse, but may not consider the greenhouse’s role in plant health and the importance of maintenance. There shouldn’t be heavy duty maintenance required for quality greenhouses that have been made with care, but regular cleaning is essential.”

·        Thorough, deep greenhouse cleans should be done twice a year – we’d suggest at the beginning and end of the main growing season. You should empty the greenhouse as much as you can and then use soft brushes alongside a hose or jet wash to clean everything inside and out. A rag wrapped around a narrow cane or plant label makes the perfect tool for getting into the nooks and crannies that moss and mould can build up in. Take this opportunity to check over the condition of painted framework, sanding and repainting any areas that have been chipped or become cracked.  Keeping on top of any small defects will maximise the recoating lifespan of any painted surfaces and give you longer in between this much bigger job.

·        Regardless of what your greenhouse is made of, regular general cleaning is essential. Regular cleaning jobs include keeping the glass clean, keeping gutters free of debris and disinfecting floors, staging, shelving and equipment to minimise pests and diseases.

4.      First-time owner mistake – not considering power for their greenhouse

Tori Tomlin said; “Adding power to your greenhouse can greatly enhance your enjoyment of it. Access to power means you have the possibility of setting up automatic watering systems and you can also add light. It is important to consider this when you choose where to site your greenhouse, and at the building stage.”

If you have the opportunity to get power to your greenhouse, and this is best done at the building stage, then you’re giving yourself scope to have heaters, lighting, a kettle etc. For many, the greenhouse will also provide sanctuary to the gardener as well as their plants, so facilitating a few mod cons is a wise move. Lighting may seem unnecessary – if it’s gone dark, you should probably have called it a day! But the greenhouse can double as a fabulous alternative dining space and can add another dimension if included in a garden lighting plan. White Cottage offers an IP65 rated lighting system that ensures most of the cabling can be discreetly concealed.

·        When briefing your electrician, make sure they know what you plan to run in the greenhouse so they can spec the wiring accordingly and make sure things like light switches are positioned where you can easily reach them. Unlike the walls of your home, your options are more limited in a greenhouse and it’s preferable to minimise the amount of cabling you need to have exposed.

·        If you are not planning to collect the rainwater runoff, it’s worth thinking about having a tap in or near the greenhouse. Some go as far as including a kitchen sink too – useful for scrubbing pots etc. Think about these things at the building stage rather than afterwards. They may add cost and complexity to the building work but it’s much easier to incorporate these elements at the beginning.

5.      First-time owner mistake – not planning for rainwater drainage

Tori Tomlin said; “Rainwater management is not top of new buyers’ lists when they are swooning over a new, handcrafted Edwardian greenhouse, but it is critical, especially living in the UK. Considering your plans for managing rainwater can help ensure your garden and greenhouse don’t become waterlogged.”

Both inside and outside need to be considered when thinking about drainage. It will be dependent to some extent on what you will be growing and, more importantly, watering inside the greenhouse. It is a good idea to also think about what you want to do with rainwater runoff outside.

·        Inside the greenhouse lots of people choose a solid concrete pad – it’s straight forward, means you don’t have to pre-think where staging or workbenches might go, and should provide you with a weed-free zone for many years to come. There’s nowhere for the runoff from a heavy watering session to go, however, and you will have plenty of puddles until it dries out. An additional advantage some gardeners would argue, boosting humidity levels, but incorporating a drainage channel into the floor might be preferable and gives you the perfect excuse to consider covering this with a decorative cast iron grate.

·        Outside, your greenhouse can be fitted with guttering and downpipes to collect and discharge rainwater (standard to White Cottage structures.) Especially on smaller greenhouses it is acceptable to allow the downpipes to simply discharge onto the ground surrounding the greenhouse. But on larger houses, and if the surrounding area is hard landscaped, you may prefer to incorporate gulleys into your plan which the downpipes can be directed into.

White Cottage Greenhouses is a family-run business, based in Sandbach Cheshire, that been making its handcrafted, period greenhouses for 45-years. It is already the greenhouse maker of choice for those in the know, with glasshouses in some of the UK’s most esteemed gardens including RHS Bridgewater, RHS Wisley and the National Trust. Classic Victorian and Edwardian models are made to order using traditional methods, quality materials and period detailing. The business provides a uniquely crafted and truly bespoke offering within the greenhouse market. A close team ensures a personal, hands-on service, and with greenhouses starting from just over £7,000, White Cottage Greenhouses are within reach for even the smallest gardens.

White Cottage Greenhouses offer a unique design solution for those looking for the traditional warmth, look and feel of wood, with the maintenance-free benefits of aluminium. All White Cottage Greenhouses have a painted Accoya™ timber frame, and a matching powder coated aluminium roof. Accoya timber offers unparalleled stability and durability (guaranteed against rot for 50 years) meaning coatings last twice as long. Virtually maintenance-free aluminium roof components are coated to match – achieving an authentically period-looking structure that will last a lifetime. This distinctive, innovative design is unique within the greenhouse market.

For more information about White Cottage Greenhouses, and to explore their full range of handcrafted period greenhouses, visit www.whitecottage.co.uk.