Last autumn, I decided I needed to sort out the large greenhouse (sometimes referred to as The Potting Shed. With my OU course taking up most of my time, and rain for weeks on end, I decided to leave it until spring and contented myself with drawing up a plan. It’s a long time since we converted what was a pergola and deck (built in 1999) to a shed with the addition of a roof and sides.

Everythings must be easily accessible. The right-hand cupboard has two doors, so I’ve allowed space for them to open. The left-hand cupboard is in three sections – top and bottom have two doors, but the middle is a drop-down flap; again, the space needed is indicated.

I’ve also got a folding kitchen table (used as a potting table or extra growing space). It was just a matter of moving the cupboards (which meant emptying the shed and the cupboards) .

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This was the Potting Shed on 29th January.

And this was Sunday 31st, after I made a start on removing some of the pots in preparation for moving the cupboards to their new places. I wanted the cupboard on the right moved to the corner where the potato bags are; the other cupboard will stay in but rotate 90′ anti-clockwise.

Monday 1st February dawned with none of the snow the weather forecasters had been promising. In fact the sun was out. ‘Can you just give me a hand for a few minutes?’ I asked my husband. Two hours later…

One down, one to go. It is important to remember:

1. Just how many levelling wedges we originally placed beneath each cupboard
2. That using a roller doesn’t work well on decking
3. To take the bloody doors off first
4. There may be huge spiders lurking (There were – and they were HUGE)

Fast forward to Wednesday morning (3 February. Still no snow on the ground and another dry day, so…

Cupboard Number 2

To be honest, I’m surprised the folding table fitted between both cupboards when fully extended, but I’m not complaining. Now for some additional shelving.

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This was my Christmas present from my brother – a set of galvanised shelves from Ikea.

It is a Hyllis indoor/outdoor shelving unit for £7 (there is a taller one for £10); there are zipped covers too, which turn them into mini-greenhouses (for just £3 and £4 respectively).

The big-build

At 60 cms wide x 27 cms deep x 74 cms tall, I can comfortably fit three units in the greenhouse, but can I squeeze in a third or even a fourth along that long polycarbonate wall? (see plan above). And should one of them (or even two) be a taller unit to replace my collapsing mini-greenhouse?

Will I try four in a row – or three, with one in the corner?