A beginner’s guide to greenhouse growing

What’s a greenhouse for?

A greenhouse is great for getting ahead of the growing season. You’ll be able to plant earlier in the year before moving your crops outside when the weather’s warmer.

The constant temperature of a greenhouse also means you’ll always know your plants are growing in the best conditions possible. There’ll be no nasty surprises when an overnight frost arrives unexpectedly!

Always wanted to grow that exotic plant, fruit or veg? A greenhouse may give you the perfect growing conditions to do just that too!

How does a greenhouse work?

A greenhouse lets in lots of light which it turns into heat energy. The glass stops the heat from escaping which gives your greenhouse a warm, constant temperature throughout the day.

Growing your plants in a greenhouse means they’ll also stay protected from strong winds and other harsh weather. Put simply – it's the perfect home for your plants!

Where’s the best place to put a greenhouse in your garden?

If you’re planning on setting up a permanent greenhouse in your garden, the location is really important. Unlike portable PVC greenhouses, you won’t be able to move it around once you’ve picked your spot.

Your greenhouse is best placed on level ground in a sunny spot. Keep it sheltered from harsh winds too; against a wall or hedge is ideal. Try to avoid tall trees, though, you’ll forever be clearing the glass of debris that falls from them, and there’s a risk that fallen branches could break glass panes too.

Wherever you choose to position your greenhouse, just make sure there’s easy access for carrying compost, plants and other bits inside as well as cleaning the glazing.

Which greenhouse is best?

Greenhouses come in all shapes and sizes, and are designed to suit all uses and outside spaces. You might be new to greenhouse growing and just want a small greenhouse to start with. Or maybe you have a larger outside space and want to get stuck into growing lots of fruit, veg and plant varieties.

If you’re short on space, a mini greenhouse is a great option. Our PVC greenhouses come with shelving, so there’s still plenty of space for all your plant pots and seed trays. Smaller greenhouses are also a lot easier to move around your garden if you need to. If space is less of an issue, a traditional full-sized greenhouse will give you much more room to grow.

Greenhouses come in lots of different materials too. PVC greenhouses are quick and easy to set up so are perfect if you’re short on time or new to greenhouse growing. If you’re choosing a more permanent structure, most greenhouses are available in wood or aluminium. A wooden greenhouse gives your garden a more natural look, but will need more maintenance, such as regular painting. A metal-framed greenhouse is more lightweight than a wooden one (and stronger) but won’t retain the heat in your greenhouse as effectively.

Glass, styrene, PVC or polycarbonate? When it comes to your greenhouse glazing, believe it or not, there’s a few materials to choose from. If you’ve got little ones running around your garden, stray footballs and glass won’t mix! A great alternative is a polycarbonate greenhouse which is 200 times stronger than glass and actually better at keeping the heat in too! Styrene is also a good alternative if you’re looking for a slightly cheaper option.

What greenhouse accessories do I need?

If you’re setting yourself up for greenhouse gardening for the first time, there’s a few basics you’ll need to get growing:

• Plant pots and seed trays – you'll need plenty of these for your seedlings to grow in
• Sowing and cutting compost – choose a specialist compost to give your seeds the best start
• Water butt – save regular trips to the nearest tap and water your seedlings the eco-friendly way
• Greenhouse shading – on the hottest days your plants will thank you for the much-needed shade