On 2015-01-03 18:38:44 +0000, Jeff Layman said:

On 03/01/15 15:41, Bob Hobden wrote:
I understand the National Trust is to try to bring back a significant number
of it's walled gardens into production. My problem is that I've heard they
intend to remake the old greenhouses as they were, all manual and in wood,
instead of using modern materials and automation and things like double
glazing for the orchid houses. Personally I think that is crazy as the old
Head Gardeners would never have countenanced such a retrograde step.
What do others think?

Well, if there weren't any Grade 1 or 2 listing, you could make an
argument for double glazing and LED lighting in any NT property. But
they wouldn't look right, and I guess the NT are using a similar
argument for greenhouses.

And would I want to visit such modern greenhouses to see how they were
being used to grow things? I very much doubt it.

Imo, the greenhouses could be made to the old design but use methods
that cut down on labour. We have to remember that these houses would
have had a dozen gardeners. Now, labour costs mean they'd be lucky to
have 3 and some volunteers
--

Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.com
South Devon
www.helpforheroes.org.uk