Greenhouse Stores Blog

How to Get An Allotment

Matt W · 14th Aug 2015

A 20-year installer's guide to getting a UK allotment: how to apply, waiting lists (12-18 months outside London), rent (£25-£125), plot size and the best greenhouse to start with. Matt's pick is the Vitavia Venus 2500 at £395.

Autumn Gardening Jobs

Matt W · 14th Aug 2015

Autumn is the time to restore and repair your lawn after a summer as a games field for the children. Start by scarifying ? raking out any moss and dead grass which builds up into a thatch restricting the grass growth.

Spiking the lawn will improve drainage ready for the winter rain. Just insert a fork about 15 cm into the ground, rock it back and forth to open the hole and then repeat about 30 cm ahead. For bowling green standards, use a special hollow tined fork that removes a plug of soil.

Top 10 Tomato Growing Tips

Matt W · 11th May 2015

To maximise the growing season, start tomato seedlings off indoors on a south facing window sill in February. Because the day length is still short and the light weak, the seedlings can be drawn and leggy. To help avoid this put a piece of cardboard covered with aluminium foil behind the seed tray to reflect light back onto the seedlings.

Greenhouse Shading Guide: When, Why and Which Method to Use

Matt W · 8th May 2015

Complete greenhouse shading guide from expert installers. Covers shading paint, netting, blinds and natural methods with temperature thresholds, cost comparison table and month-by-month shading calendar.

How to Clean a Greenhouse: Glass, Frame and Floor Guide

Matt W · 7th May 2015

Step-by-step greenhouse cleaning guide from expert installers. Covers glass, polycarbonate, aluminium frames, staging, floors, gutters and pest prevention with cleaning products comparison and annual checklist.