Climate change and the strength of storms
There’s a simple answer to the question of why you need to windproof your greenhouse – it will save you money in the long run. Not to mention the mess, inconvenience and potential loss of plants.
Storm Eleanor hit a swathe of the country in early January 2018, and I feared the worst for my greenhouse. Miraculously, it’s the first time since a named (or otherwise) storm has hit that no damage has been caused. This is thanks to glazing secured by more wind-resistant bars.
Whether you believe in global warming or not, Atlantic low-pressure systems seem to be piling in stronger and faster. Since I had my greenhouse built in May 2015, panels have been smashed by storms every winter. As it’s horticultural glass, I’ve spent more than the original £500 total cost of the structure in new panes (at about £100 a shot).
Why you need to windproof your greenhouse – My garden’s a wind whirlpool
I don’t blame the manufacturers at Vitavia one bit. It appears my garden is a bit of a wind whirlpool, and the industry-standard glazing clips just aren’t strong enough.
One of the very helpful people at Vitavia suggested I retrofit the greenhouse with glazing bar capping, which I wish I’d bought initially. It cost about £70 (the greenhouse is only an 8ft x 4ft lean-to), but I would have ended up quids in, without soil full of bits of glass and the pain of having to fit new panes.
Pay your money and take your choice – I know what I wish I’d done that at the outset! Read more about greenhouse maintenance and greenhouse cleaning for healthier crops and plants.
