Allotment Vegetable Growing in January 2005

Greenhouse Storm Damage

14/01/2005

Normally there's not much going on down on the plot in January. Perhaps harvesting some hardy brassicas like sprouts or kale, digging up a few leeks, Otherwise, it's a waiting game for spring.

This year a strong storm ripped across the site like a tornado. One greenhouse was completely destroyed, and a couple badly damaged. A greenhouse is pretty robust so long as the the glass is firmly in place, the bolts tight and doors shut.

The problems usually happen when the wind gets into the house because the skin is broken. Otherwise the wind passes harmlessly over and around the house.

Some years later, after we had moved to Snowdonia, my pride and joy greenhouse was destroyed in a storm with gust speeds approaching 100mph. The integrity was maintained but the side of the house was lifted, ripping the bolts that held it to the concrete up. Within seconds it was a tangled mess of aluminium and broken glass.

My neighbour had a broken pane in the side and the wind got in and ripped out the glass and glazing bar. It neatly piled the broken glass on the path!

Luckily for him, the rest of the house was OK but not everyone on the plot was so lucky

Greenhouse Destroyed by Wind

14/01/2005

This chap had only left the door open on his greenhouse and the wind completely demolished the whole greenhouse.

The problem is that once the wind has got in, it rips more and more apart. With an older house, perhaps loose panes and missing a few nuts and bolts it quickly becomes a runaway chain reaction

Greenhouse Under Construction Damaged in Storm

14/01/2005

You glaze a greenhouse from the top (so you can get at the panes easily) and not damage the sides if you slip.

This chap had the top done but not the sides. so the wind lifted the top off.