Blog from a greenhouse builder

On a slope in Sussex

23/5/2015

Another challenging base build this week as I overcome a sloping site to create a level, square base for a 5m by 3.5m greenhouse.

The first job was to dig out a level base for the foundations, before digging all the interior turf out around 1ft deep and raking level. I then built up the courses of brickwork to a level. It was 3 courses higher at the far corner than the rear so I laid a wet concrete mix inside the greenhouse to bring the inside up to that level. I then raked another extra tonne of aggregate inside the greenhouse to create a stable, level floor. I added weedblock sheeting over the flooring before laying the flagstones on a 4:1 sand cement mortar base and, finally, adding pea gravel to the edges to create a run-off should you want to hose down the interior or for standing pots in.

The rear wall was reinforced with solid concrete blocks on the foundation and I tied the brick work into that.

The cold frame walls are ready on either side of the doorway - and I laid weedblock sheeting and gravel in them as well. The foundations for these walls are to the same spec. as the rest of the build - 1ft deep wet concrete mix with solid concrete blocks laid in.

I also added a small raised bed inside the greenhouse - great for growing thirsty plants like tomatoes which need monitoring in pots or grow bags.

What a great view and wonderful place.
Please click on the picture below for a short video of this week's base build.

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Bridgewater - on a hill, beside the sea.

10/5/2015

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Bit of a hill climb this week. Lots of puffing and grunting to get all the tonnes of material to the top of the slope. And then working to get everything to a level point - mostly by building up, and a little digging down the top interior and raking and trampling it all smooth. Great weather though - beautiful warm sun all week. I put in extra hours to overcome the slope working 8 - 10pm one night, then 7-11pm another. I was here from Tuesday until Friday on this one. Mind you, the brick pathways always take a little time. I’ve bedded this one in a wet concrete slurry to give it extra stability before brushing over with kiln-dried sand.