Greenhouses in our tiny garden in England

• 9 Nov, 2009
• 1 like

In Wiltshire, we had a tiny garden which was mostly west facing, and surrounded by high hedges. We didn't get much light and things were difficult to grow. We crammed three greenhouses into the small space, a typical 6 by 4, a larger wooden one, and finally a fairly big aluminium one. With these we managed to grow much more than we otherwise could have done, and to raise plants for our allotment in the village.
I tried to put electricity into the greenhouses by burying a normal electric cable in the soil and connecting it in a buried (non waterproof) junction box. After it rained heavily, we wondered why the trip switch in the house kept tripping. Then our neighbours in the street complained to us that their trip switches were doing the same (as they were on the same circuit!) I never owned up but disconnected my lethal wiring.
I can't believe I was so irresponsible and stupid then, as I've learnt all about wiring and installed electricity into three properties here. (And they are all completely safe and to the highest standard). I guess I must have been taking shortcuts in those old days with only a few hours at weekends to get things done.