Greenhouse
The Sproutwell greenhouse was installed in 2018, L: 1918mm W: 2529mm has an 6MM UV protected twin-wall raw polycarbonate panels with an aluminium frame, double hung sliding doors, with 4.8sq metres of floor space. It is securely attached to a level concrete footing. 
There are two vents in the roof and louvers in the back wall. It is in a sunny northerly position. The greenhouse in unheated.
The only reason the Sproutwell greenhouse was chosen was because of the dimensions. When designing the garden, the space allowed for the greenhouse was 2000mm x 2550mm. The greenhouse was installed by one person, over 5 days in the winter of 2018. This was at times, quite challenging. There were many parts to the kit, instructions were read carefully before each section was assembled. This was essential! as it had to be assembled in the correct order.
Three one hundred litre water tanks collect water from the greenhouse and the chicken coop roofs.
Comments July 2022.
Pros. This small hobby greenhouse is now four years old and has proven to be sufficient for the needs here at the Bushcroft Kitchen Garden. It is easy to clean and has stood up to high winds and storms. The aluminium staging is sturdy and very lightweight, making it easy to move in and out of the greenhouse as needed, and easy to clean using a pressure washer or just a brush and a rag.
Seedlings that do not require being on a heat mat are started and grown on till ready to plant out in the garden. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, turmeric, ginger and lettuce are grown over the spring, summer and autumn in the greenhouse.
Cons. It was very disappointing to see the zinc plated steel base develop quite a bit of rust on it one year after its installation. The latch on the doors is tiny and there is no handle. The louvers let in the cold when closed (bubblewrap is placed over the louvers on cold frosty nights). The greenhouse is not heated so it does get very cold inside over winter therefore not able to be used much during the winter.
IN Summary
How the greenhouse is utilized:
- July or early August the greenhouse and staging are washed inside and outside, removing any green wasp nest, red back spider webs, algae and dirt. Then the inside walls are wiped down with disinfectant. Staging is placed back into the greenhouse
- Last week in August, seedlings are started in the greenhouse. All the seedlings are planted out into the garden beds around Melbourne Cup day in November.
- Late in September a few pot of potatoes are started in the greenhouse
- October, pots are prepared for turmeric, ginger and sweet potato seedlings. Potting mix is either made or purchased
- November (about Melbourne cup day), some of the staging is removed and the turmeric, ginger and sweet potato seedling are planted into the pots. They remain in the greenhouse till they are harvested, from the first week in May till June
- Late June, all pots are removed from the greenhouse