How to plan for a greenhouse - Grand Designs Magazine

How to plan for a greenhouse

Build a quality greenhouse to satisfy your individual needs

By Jason Podesta |

When planning for a new greenhouse, several key considerations can help you make the most of this valuable addition to your garden.

First and foremost, the size of the greenhouse is crucial. It is a common occurrence for people to wish for something larger after construction so be sure to opt for the largest one that fits both your budget and available space.

Cultivar can help you plan for a more spacious greenhouse which allows scope for both your plants and your enthusiasm to grow.

Material choice

Greenhouses come in a range of styles from your traditional Victorian greenhouses to something a little more up-to-date. There’s also a choice of material, wood or aluminum.

Choosing the location is equally important. While maximizing sunlight is typically a priority, convenience for use should not be overlooked.

Placing the greenhouse closer to your home can make it more accessible for daily tasks and you’ll be more likely to use it.

Elevated modern home surrounded by woodland with timber greenhouse

Getting grounded

When preparing the base for your greenhouse there are a few things to consider. It’s not a shed so be sure to prioritise proper drainage. A well-drained base ensures that excess water from watering plants doesn’t accumulate.

A flat and level concrete footing incorporating a central path with gravel on either side is a popular setup.

Also when laying the base you might want to install a conduit to allow services such as electricity to be easily fed into the greenhouse.

Kitting out

Investing in accessories is another aspect of greenhouse planning. Shelving and staging are essential for nurturing young seeds and seedlings.

These aluminum greenhouses come with options for folding shelving so that as your seedlings grow into strong plants you can fold down the shelves to give them more height to grow.

In sunnier spots, shades may be necessary to protect delicate plants from excessive sunlight. These can be added retrospectively but you might want to kit your greenhouse out from the outset, and start as you mean to go on.

Aluminium greenhouse with brick base and brick planters in foreground of wood pannelled home

A bespoke mindset

How do you envision your greenhouse? Beyond its practical benefits, a greenhouse becomes a sanctuary for plant enthusiasts.

The ability to extend your gardening activities throughout the gardening calendar, regardless of the weather conditions, is a significant advantage. It’s a space to immerse yourself in the world of plants, fostering a deeper connection with nature.

Perhaps with a larger greenhouse, you might afford yourself the luxury of a seat but be mindful this will come at the cost of having less space for your precious plants.

Ultimately, the addition of a greenhouse to your garden is not just a practical decision but a transformative one, enriching the time you spend in the garden and providing you with the means to grow a whole new host of plants.

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