My Polycarbonate Greenhouse Nightmare. They cut my Greenhouse in half so it would fit in the box!

My Polycarbonate Greenhouse Experience(Nightmare)began at unboxing. I couldn't believe my eyes. My eight foot greenhouse had been 'cut in half' so that it would fit into a smaller box! and that was only the start. It took two of us, all day to build and through the year I made numerous attempts to strengthen what can only be described as a 'flimsy construction'. I have nearly 'lost it' several times as Storms Brendan, Ciara and Dennis did their best to move it into the garden next door. This video tells of some of the difficulties I encountered and how we 'weathered the storm'.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

If you know anyone who is planning to purchase or build a greenhouse this video might just save them from a catastrophe. Hit the Share icon above this text and send them a link to this video on one of your social media platforms. It's what a good friend would do.

[@lindahipple4817]

Hello HGV, watching you deal with the instability of your greenhouse, and having to add extra supports after the fact is why I didn't bother getting this sized greenhouse. Your honesty is refeshing. God bless.

[@MariaSanchez-zf9cs]

"in your jimjams watching the tele". - love it! I feel your pain. But you made it through. Stronger for it!

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Maria. It was quite traumatic at the time but I'm over it now, except when we get a storm. HGV

[@sajadahmed1269]

Hi that is shocking. You should have given them back. Thank you for sharing with everyone because I was about to buy polycarbonate greenhouse but I seen your video know I will buy glass greenhouse. I hope you get your greenhouse fixed soon. Thank you.

[@Karenattheplot]

I gave up and had my polycarbonate greenhouse taken down.....got a glass one now....much better.....but those gold bar things look good.

[@celtgoch]

Hi, I've just subscribed to your channel and listened to your tale of woe with the greenhouse. I have never laughed so much! You are so funny and the way you describe what happened is pure quality! Thanks for making my day!

[@angelinegrows7765]

Thank you for sharing that Jim, was going to get one for safety round grandkids but yeah, going to build my own now !

[@Marie-or6hz]

Oh man! I would have sent it back. "Return to sender!"

[@ronaldandsusanshaws-growing]

Hi Jim, That was a joke from start to finish, I nearly bought one of those but I decided to build my own, I used plastic sheeting to start with the upgraded to polycarbonate sheeting and up to now It has been fine, Take care and stay safe.

[@cw2126]

Your boss 👍🤣👍 you had me laughing my head off 🤣🤣🤣

[@dahutful]

That's quite a tale! What a drama. When you said "aluminum nuts an bolts," knew what kind of trouble you were going to describe. Thanks for sharing so we can learn. And you are a hoot...very funny. David S Carolina

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Dave. "aluminum nuts and bolts," should come with a health warning. HGV

[@dahutful]

@@HomeGrownVeg for a few quid more, they could have gone with stainless - even those can gall, but nothing like aluminum. It’s a shame all the reinforcing you had to do, but thank god the tile edging was cheap. There’s more of that in there than the original structure!

[@lindainthemournes8516]

Thank you for this video. I was goin to buy one of these poly greenhouse but looks like im goin to build one now. Thanx again.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Linda. This type of construction is definitely not for those of a nervous disposition. HGV

[@allanmoore2268]

I have the same, but i had mine assembled professionally. In the storms i have had side panels blown out and have finished up taping them to the frames.The greenhouse is sheltered north and east but still moves about in high winds.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Alan. That one word 'Nightmare' sums them up so well. HGV

[@sheilathomas8528]

Moral of the tale, don't buy polycarbonate greenhouse. Thanks for sharing.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Sheila. There may be some good ones out there but thus far no one who has one has spoke up to tell us that. HGV

[@zacharysimon2952]

"You need an octopus!" I feel that way when constructing many things labeled "some assembly required"!

[@lordcondio1036]

Hi Sir. We are currently putting together a 6x8 exactly like yours. The 8 foot sides are very flimsy due to the cut in half. I'm adding extra bars, from old Dexion shelving to try and make it more rigid. Love your idea for the bracing for the polycarbonate panels. They are far too thin and flexible. I may replace them later with thicker panels, when I can afford it. Due to terrible instructions, we had multiple problems putting the greenhouse together. Worst we have ever had!!!! Thank you for your video and advice. Happy gardening.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

I think there is more likelihood a panel 'blows out' than brakes. If you can keep them in they should be OK. My greenhouse has weathered several storms over the years but it did need lots of work to 'beef it up'. The door will blow of and the roof window will blow open doth need work done on them to prevent that. If its any consolation, there's more than me and you having issues with this type of greenhouse. Jim.

[@777daf]

You give me a laugh as usual Jim great video stay safe 🤝

[@melodytenisch6232]

Nightmare is an understatement! I think God made men to figure these things out! Don't shoot me; I just said that because constructing these things is beyond me. I can construct multi-tiered wedding cakes but not put up a greenhouse. Ah, well...we're all good at something! Sorry to hear you had so much trouble. In your tirade, which I thoroughly enjoyed, you made perfect sense. You're able to make sense of what you're given and by observing the materials understand the schematics of why things won't work. Awesome! Love your accent, love the sea, love your channel. Gee, that sea looks cold and the waves, strong...beautiful and sobering at times. Looking forward to your gardens in the spring. Christmas month! Busy times! Regards to the missus too from across the pond. Thanks for sharing and the work it takes to do so.👵🙏🎄😊🎶

[@brianwithers162]

I had a problem getting mine together as well. Not too much stress as the sliding bolt principle was well known to me as I have used it on aluminium extrusion builds. That said though, flimsy is not the word for it. After the wife and I had finished building it I realised, like you, that the polycarbonate was far too thin. I will probably replace it next year with a more substantial carbonate. It is available in sheets but a bit pricy. The other problem that I anticipated is that if the next door neighbour farted, the greenhouse might fall over. How I got round that was to buy four screw in, marquee ground pins, one in each corner and then used four ratchet straps at 45deg between the diagonal supports and the pegs. The other grief was how the roof window fitted. After a great deal of taking apart and rebuilding, I realised it slid along the roof channel from the end. So simple. I have also put in a small 240 volt low wattage heater controlled by a frost stat. In addition, I bought a couple of 12 volt 4inch computer fans from ebay and 3d printed an appropriate bracket then hung them in the roof to come on at the same time as the heater to move the air about. Wife approves, it's her greenhouse. Boom, job done, points scored. (I hope).

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Brian. Well, like most polycarbonate owners you've gone the 'extra mile' to strengthen your greenhouse, however, any warranty you had is now 'out the window'. Expect a video out in the next few days that covers this. We are where we are. HGV

[@jillmudd3224]

Where abouts are you ? You sound very local to myself which is Loftus a small town in between Redcar & Whitby. Love your videos keep em coming! Just about to refit my polycarbonate greenhouse with more polycarbonate. This time going to reinforce as much as possible. North east England renowned for cold and VERY windy weather. Think it’s been down more than up my poor greenhouse!! Wish me luck!

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hell Jill. I'm on the other end of the Wainwrights coast to coast walk, near St Bees. These type of greenhouses really are a challenge. Seams like one bolt falls out the whole structure becomes unstable. Good luck in the coming growing season. Jim.

[@primrozie]

What a nightmare product! I hope it lasts forever with all the work you've put into it.

[@GhostvaperYT]

i like the use of celotape however have you thought of using some thick double sided tape behind the gold bars so the gold bars stick using double sided tape on the back AND use celotape aswell. I don't use any bars - what I did was around each panel i drilled small holes. then used nuts and bolts (small ones) to tighten the metal together to nip the panel edges in. where the plastic panels are held into the metal - the metal is nipped together onto the panel. i have had greenhouse here in uk for 3 years no problems since my modifications. when it snows i put a heater inside it to melt snow off roof.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

The night after the all day build there was a storm that night. I could see that the greenhouse was in danger of disintegrating as one side wall became part detached from the roof. It was dark, blowing a gale and raining heavily. It was all I could do to save it. Next day I looked for anything I had to hand to strengthen the greenhouse, I was panicking! I had some odd bits of tile edging that I bolted in, and purchased some more to finish the job. I hadn't expected the wind to not only try to blow the panels in but to suck them out as well. More panic! To fix the new bars to the inside of the panels I used what I had to hand, sellotape. So far so good, the greenhouse has stood at least 4 storms since modification. Somewhere in this story I used a squirt of mastic on the panel edges. I have had lots of good advise since 'The Nightmare' I wish I had had it before I started the build! Hope this video helps others to avoid a nightmare. Jim.

[@GhostvaperYT]

@@HomeGrownVeg OH yeah you gave lots of good advice just sharing my methods the best thing to do is a combination of your methods with the gold bits and my methods with the screws and bolts. perhaps ill make a short video tomorrow on my greenhouse and how i modded it. when we got it within days nearly all panels blew out. i also modded top panels. it will be easier if i make a video on it than describe it. ill link it here for you to see but your methods are great i may incorporate them into my greenhouse aswell for extra safety.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Well, like most polycarbonate owners you've gone the 'extra mile' to strengthen your greenhouse, however, any warranty you had is now 'out the window'. Expect a video out in the next few days that covers this. We are where we are. HGV

[@RoseThistleArtworks]

Sounds so frustrating.

[@RoseThistleArtworks]

Jimjams is my new word that I will be using now.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

@@RoseThistleArtworks This is ridicule's. Dark nights, Rain, Wind, Cold, Lock down, we 'batten down the hatches' and we're in our Jimjams by tea time.

[@primrozie]

@@HomeGrownVeg we are too!

[@user-uj6sc7ls9y]

I find that rubber washers prevent slippage and loosening. I get a tyre inner tube and cut rings from that, cut a small hole in the middle, and use that. Works like a charm. If I had that greenhouse, I'd be sure to haul out the inner tube and scissors.

[@oddopops1327]

Mine was a real pain in the arse to put together too! LOL!

[@davidbell8320]

Mine half the size and large pain in the backside putting together aaaaagghhh, now to strengthen it

[@oddopops1327]

@@davidbell8320 I feel your pain my friend 😞

[@martinlawson3888]

I smiled to myself when watching this - ironically. As I have been there. I have used various tapes to hold panels in place. I have even added second layer of roof panels got from someone who had given up on theirs. The original ones were covered in peppered holes from hail! It was not a cheap greenhouse.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Martin. It struck me as I made this video that others must have had the same experience. I looked at lots of videos but nobody seamed to be highlighting the issues, so I did, in the hope that others might benefit from my 'nightmare' experience. Jim.

[@melissabarker3557]

May I ask what beach this is, it looks beautiful! I enjoy your videos very much and now have buckets growing veg all over the place 😊

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Its the seashore at St Bees England. Your looking at an angry Irish sea at the start of the Coast To Coast Walk.

[@melissabarker3557]

@@HomeGrownVeg thank you so much for replying it looks fabulous. We’re in Staffordshire and having spent many years doing the south west and Welsh coasts I think it high time we went further north! 🙂

[@lyndaturner3592]

We bought a 6x4 , the first windy nigh a roof panel blew into the field next door , fortunately undamaged. My husband used a silicone gun and sealed them in , we live in Cornwall and get lots of storms but 4 years on its still ok. Also when the panels become brittle they are easy to remove and replace.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Lynda. This type of construction is definitely not for those of a nervous disposition. HGV

[@melissaallenmainegardener4574]

hi there HGV ! at minute 30 min 45 sec what did you say you used to put between panel and tile strip? I bought this green house and feel like a fool but im trying to make the best out of it and am going to try this method very happy ive found your channel

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Melisa. All I had too hand was Sellotape so I used it. I put a strips along the edge of the tile strips sticking it to the polycarbonate panels. That was at least 18 months ago and it still has a hold. Do your best and good luck. Jim.

[@Flippin_Crazy]

I live in Florida USA so I freaked right out with you!

[@sambaaxe]

What was the brand of this greenhouse? I have been looking at some here in NZ and I am wondering if they are from the same manufacturer.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Dancover.

[@janicek6399]

Enjoy your cup of tea ❤

[@EVERBEE_SEWING_BEE]

I'm not sure if I should laugh with you or cry for you. Well done for seeing the project to the end. Personally I would have demanded a refund and asked them to collect it too. All that time, trouble and expense could have been spent growing more veg! Still, well done :)

[@melodytenisch6232]

Well said!👍

[@user-uj6sc7ls9y]

Where was it from? Manufactured? I would have complained to the manufacturer/seller and either gotten my money back or had one sent that wasn't sliced up.

[@carolabts3637]

Oh my gosh, how frustrating for you! I was thinking of getting a kit, 😳😳

[@scottwhite4645]

Jim, Got to thinking about the bracing you added using tile edging. If the celo tape begins to weaken, wouldn’t it be possible to use a clear, silicone mastic to secure the polycarbonate? Place a bead of clear mastic where the celo tape is currently? Just thinking out loud ..

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Scott. After fitting the tile edging I used sellotape because it was all I had to hand and I was in danger of losing panels. I did think of running mastic along the edges and onto the sheet but the Sellotape is still holding fast after over a year but I will keep my eye on it in case it starts to fail . HGV

[@scottwhite4645]

Home Grown Veg Hello Jim, Your cello tape is doing yeoman’s work to be sure. The “greenhouse” has certainly been a disappointment for you. On the other hand, you’ve turned it into an entertaining comedy piece for your subscribers. I mean, come on..! “going to action stations in me Jim Jams in the middle of the night?” This is John Cleese material..”upstairs downstairs in the garden”. Whatever happens with the greenhouse your sense of humor will see you through...along with the rest of us ! Stay Safe....KBO

[@jennifreesjourney9817]

Where did you get the gold strengthening bars

[@LLjean-qz7sb]

The plates that connect the 8ft. parts on the base, should have an anchoring leg welded onto it like on the 4 corners so you would have 6 anchoring points to set in cement not only 4!! Next time build your own from 2x4's and poly sheeting or policarbonate sheets! This way you can make it as strong as you want! Have a blessed day!

[@kathleensimons7062]

Is this greenhouse twin walled?

[@rosemaryking397]

The quictent greenhouse company replaced my plastic greenhouse after 4 months of california weather. Im going to use shadecover over greenhouse...lets see what hppens.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

We get nowhere near as much sun as you but it still eat my greenhouse : kzbin.info/www/bejne/eoTLknx7mbtmbsk

[@gginnj]

wonder if connecting the 1/2 lengths together with the plate will make it stronger than if it were full length without the plate? flexing of those plates probably would pop out the panels.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Cutting a strut in half then bolting it back together again will defiantly weaken it. Those 34 additional bolts in addition to all the other bolts will need checking each year just to make sure they are all still secure. HGV

[@scottwhite4645]

Jim, It’s a shame to hear about all of the difficulties you’ve experienced with your greenhouse. You’ve certainly gone the extra mile with your efforts trying to make your greenhouse functional. I know you’re not the type of person to use your channel as a profit making venture or receiving free goods or services. However, I do hope you’ll send a copy of your videos to the greenhouse manufacturer. Your “HGV” channel has a large membership, which defines you as a web “ influencer”, enough so, the greenhouse maker should want to remedy your issues with a full replacement or upgrade no questions asked at no charge. I’m not sure you’d accept a replacement even if they did the right thing. I would think your videos an embarrassment to the seller, it would certainly be one to me, if my name were on it. Stay Well & Best of Luck ! Scott

[@cweston8334]

What is a Polycrub? Maybe you can pull ideas from them, as they are the strongest tunnels I've seen so far and most durable.

[@Flippin_Crazy]

What kind of tape?

[@ukpaul9221]

It never ceases to surprise how companies cut corners on products which they advertise as fit for purpose. On structures that should endure for far more than a decade, it is shameful. I've got an OUTSUNNY polytunnel that lasted 15 MONTHS ONLY before it became a colander - now utterly useless! The company did not want to know when I complained. Dear Jim - I can REALLY empathise. When you buy a garden structure that is supposedly OK for conditions in GB, you shouldn't have to spend a lot more money, effort and technology to keep it operative!!

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Here in the UK there is a big push for 'green energy' with a missive expansion of 'off shore wind farms'. So, no shortage of wind then, and living on the side of a hill fairly close to the coast I get a lot of wind across my garden. We have some big wind forecast for tomorrow, hope we have a greenhouse after it blows through. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pnLQdWl6ftWEfKs

[@carlpenney901]

Same with me, built to crap standards. I returned it and they told me it was their best seller.

[@eikoqdupree101]

I really enjoyed this video. 1st. We laughed. Had to get some snacks. To make a night of it. But then you had that storm. It got serious. I'm in California, USA and guess what Its 12:,30 pm.we just started a big rain storm. The 1st. In along time. My garden unprotected. Lighting, thunder. My cat out somewhere.(a inside cat) never been in rain..much lest a big storm. I can feel your pain. I pray your greenhouse wasn't made in the USA..(FAT CHANCE) That would be a shame. But trade deal being what they back then. Fat chance. Wish you much luck.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Eiko. By now I expect the storm has blown over and your cat is 'safe and sound' at home. We had a storm over the weekend that we were on the edge of. No damage, roll on Spring. HGV

[@TomTom-df9ph]

Oh Jim I do love you.

[@paulburke6469]

Lol and they have to drill the holes for bolts and supply joiners.

[@kansasterri5977]

My husband has a background in construction. He says that he would NEVER use aluminum nuts and bolts, because the metal is so soft that you WILL damage the metal by tightening it!

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Your husband is spot on. HGV

[@dianeladico1769]

Oh my goodness. I saw the other greenhouse videos but the story of the assembly convinced me not to buy one. Thank you for sharing your tribulations to spare others. I'm building my own from cattle panels and the wavy polycarb panels. That way any disasters will be fairly bought and of my own making. I had to look up Heath Robinson, that was an enjoyable read. We had a gentleman here in the US who did something similar, Rube Goldberg, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rube_Goldberg_machine. They were contemporaries across the pond. And from now on my nightclothes will be called jim-jams.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Diane. Those wavy polycarb panels. We would call them 'Corrugated' in the UK. Talking about Jijams have you noticed, we are all getting ready for bed that much sooner? HGV

[@dianeladico1769]

@@HomeGrownVeg Thank you, yes, corrugated is the correct word in the US, too. It escaped me for a moment there. Oh yes-since two hours after dark is 7:30 it does seem time for bed.

[@222ponys]

Making the best of it

[@zw5509]

You should not have to redesign the structure to make it work. What a scam. At least you had the sense and ability to do that!

[@brianwithers162]

It's pretty much the choice that "You get what you pay for" . The comparison with other models does prove the point. In retrospect the extras I added to mine would have been better spent buying a better quality bit of kit. I will see how it goes this winter and may buy loads of wood and thicker poly and glass and build my own. On the other hand, I probably won't.

[@vivsalittlebitcrafty4854]

Well...you have more patience than me, let me tell you, I'd have ****** drop kicked it ten minutes after starting😫😭🤬🥴🤣

[@marktoldgardengnome4110]

"Some Assembly Required".....the 3 most dreaded words in the world. Well, with any structure, you know it's coming, but it shouldn't be TWICE as much assembly, just so the retailer can save 50p per parcel on the packaging or shipping!! That's why the bean counters make so much money! 50p x 10,000 green house kits, is £5000. Capitalism at it's finest. TYFS JIM, Stay Safe and Well Mark and Rosa

[@1Melody1963]

True-and probably the additional hardware they sent cost more than they saved.

[@danfay4860]

8 ft boxes can’t cost more than 6 ft boxes right??

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Hello Dan. So If you wanted to significantly weaken an 8 foot member, cut it in half then bolt it back together again. All the 8 foot lengths were cut in half including the guttering making 7 x 8 foots into 14 x 4 foots. Bolting them back together required 2 dozen bolts and some joining plates. Nightmare to build and structurally weak with some members no thicker than a paper clip. That said, its still standing! Jim.

[@danfay4860]

That’s just shear madness! No engineer on earth would design something like this for themselves you know that’s true! I hope there’s a bunch of people who watch this video before they buy a greenhouse like yours!! Cheers Dan

[@delphine88313]

Lol they didn't break the prices in pieces though.Wow!

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Greenhouse emergency nearly got me arrested: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rIrEaXiDlqmnipo

[@Flippin_Crazy]

Sweet jesus.

[@paulburke6469]

The moral of the story is don't buy that greenhouse. Lol

[@adorab9446]

I am a new gardener and I have learned so much from you. Thank you. You said, "give me strength" and strength appears to have manifested. I didn't hear who credited or to whom you asked? Every good and perfect gift is from God (James1:17). Isn't this the unspoken truth in your testimony... debased man broke your greenhouse and the mercy and richeousness of God judged on your behalf and gave you strength in recompense? Or, was the strength always there, is it yours to command forever? Isn't it the devil's lies in a proud heart that man is a super hero: military might, scientific genius, economic prowess? Are not the ones we love most like your greenhouse, flimsy broken things that through the good Lord, bring forth a few notible fruits before we succumb? A gardener sees life and death and knows the true joy of playing our part in the growing and nutring of small things. Are we not also convicted of the living God's presence when we witness them mature into strength and fruitfulness? It is written, (1cor 3:6) I plant, another waters, but God is the one who makes it grow. Gentle brother, please consider Him in your ways and acknowledge His strength, and mercy, and blessings as your greenhouse weathers the storms. Remember, it is also written... He abandons those who stubbornly refuse to acknowledge him to depravity (Rom1:28).

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Amen to that Adora. HGV

[@Flippin_Crazy]

Give me strength. 👇🏽

[@123roger4321]

I know where you r coming from it’s time we brought the kite mark back for anything that goes out door s I payed 249 pounds for a leanto greenhouse been up to the greenhouse this week only a little bit of wind now I am retrieving my polycarbonate sheets all over the garden going to get breeze blocks this year and biuld one I know will last money I could have spent on wood and blocks but I v learnt now not to buy anything like a greenhouse again from the internet or garden centre s as they are not fit for purpose

[@robsallotmentchannel9942]

I think the old saying comes out. You only get what you pay for.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

Your right of course Rob but the greenhouse was some hundreds of pounds, not cheap and I didn't expect it to be in a million bits some of which you could spit through and as I type, its dark, its wet, and the wind is whistling round the house. HGV

[@billw1096]

Thank you, in case you are unaware, many have changed to bitchute, I rarely view ewe tube sir.

[@kathycook3503]

Ours was the same..nightmare...no bolts fit so can't add anything ..channels too small.. Such a waste of money..also leaks like sieve..

[@222ponys]

love the sea

[@johnpage5103]

id of asked for my money back and got another green house for another company and then id gone online and put an honest review of there product ,

[@patrickcannon2851]

china aint that windy

[@rocky5726]

why dont you ever show your face? its difficult to work out what your saying.

[@MariaSanchez-zf9cs]

that's the charming part of it. the more you watch, the better you understand!

[@rocky5726]

@@MariaSanchez-zf9cs or he has something to hide

[@freakygardener8033]

The mystery is part of his charm, but he actually DID show his face, once or twice! I just don't remember which video.

[@brianwithers162]

He doesn't want to frighten the horses.

[@HomeGrownVeg]

@@brianwithers162 Thank you Brian. HGV