What to keep in mind for your greenhouse

Whether it’s to grow fresh heirloom tomatoes, fragrant herbs or winter veg, a greenhouse is ideal – year-round. But before bringing in soil and seedlings, it’s important to build a space where plants will thrive. Here, we’ve rounded up the must-have items that will help your greenhouse to blossom.

First base.

Leftover paving slabs. Concrete blocks or pads. Whatever you choose for a foundation, it’s important to create a solid base for your greenhouse. Make sure it’s completely level and secure to the ground – we find a cement mixture works best – so that the structure will stand up to high winds.

The importance of vents

Automatic vent openers are a great option to help circulate air and regulate the heat inside your greenhouse. They’re especially useful when you’re away on holiday, too. Easy to fit, they use wax which swells in the heat and pushes the vent open – and then shrinks as the day cools, letting it close.

The why and where of water butts

Rain is a gardener’s friend. Using guttering and a well-positioned water butt, you can harvest rainwater – giving you a free, environmentally-friendly supply to irrigate plants during warm, dry weather.

A few top tips:

Make space for your water butt on the north side of your greenhouse. That way, it won’t block the sunlight. And be sure to raise it off the ground, making it easy to fit a watering can underneath the tap – many come with a stand.
Only use harvested water on mature crops. Seedlings are at risk of ‘damping off’, a fungal infection sometimes caused by the spores in rainwater.
Try to empty and clean your water butt at least once a year in autumn. This will remove algae build-up. Replace the lid afterwards to discourage any wildlife hunting for a new home.

Hothouses and cold frames

Propagators can give your cuttings and seedlings the best possible start. Keep things simple with a transparent lidded tray or opt for an electric-heated propagator to stay in careful control of temperature and humidity. Either way, make sure yours has those all-important vents for keeping airflow and moisture levels consistent while your seeds are germinating.

When it comes to hardening off those seedlings, a cold frame is a smart choice. As well as acting as a steppingstone between greenhouse and garden, it’s ideal for ‘overwintering’ – protecting seedlings from the cold and frost or sheltering established plants that lie dormant in winter.

Keep it clean

Using less water than a hose – and involving less effort than a sponge – a pressure washer is a great option for keeping your greenhouse sparkling clean. Some come with detergent bottle attachments and nozzles which are handy for targeting moss that can quickly build up and block out that precious sunshine.

On the bench

The final greenhouse essential is a bench or staging (a little like metal shelving). Not only do they elevate plants off the cooler ground, but they also make potting and pruning more comfortable. Slatted designs mean air can circulate and water can run away. Just like in any house, the right interior design makes all the difference.