Lean-To Greenhouse Guide: Buying, Positioning and What to Grow
Matt W · 3rd Mar 2026
Practical checks for choosing a lean-to: wall measurements, sunlight, base preparation and growing space, with five model examples.
Greenhouse Stores Blog
How Much Does It Cost to Heat a Greenhouse? UK Running Costs 2026
Matt W · 2nd Mar 2026
Real monthly heating costs for UK greenhouses. A 6x8 on frost protection costs around 20-30 per month with insulation. Worked examples for 3 sizes.
Greenhouse Planning Permission UK: Do You Need It?
Matt W · 2nd Mar 2026
Most domestic greenhouses do not need planning permission in the UK. A simple 5-point checklist confirms whether your greenhouse is permitted development.
Essential Greenhouse Accessories: What You Actually Need
Matt W · 2nd Mar 2026
The most useful greenhouse accessories solve the problems you actually have: overheating, awkward working space and plants drying out. Start with a thermometer and a workable ventilation routine.
What Size Greenhouse Do I Need? UK Guide from Expert Installers
Matt W · 2nd Mar 2026
65% of returning customers wish they had bought bigger. Our installers explain which greenhouse size you actually need, with plant counts and real dimensions for every size.
Plant Winter Radishes in December and Harvest Them in February
Matt W · 1st Mar 2026
Sow winter radishes like Black Spanish, China Rose, and Mooli in December under a cold frame. Seeds go 1cm deep in rows 15-20cm apart. A cold frame raises soil temperature by 3-5 degrees, triggering germination when open ground is too cold. Expect to harvest in 8-10 weeks.
January Gardening Jobs: The Ultimate UK Guide (2026 Edition)
Matt W · 27th Feb 2026
In helping UK gardeners since 2012, we’ve seen that the difference between a good harvest and a great one often comes down to the preparation done in these colder weeks. It might be chilly—the Met Office average for January hovers around 4-5°C—but with the right kit and a bit of enthusiasm, there is plenty to be done. From servicing your quality greenhouses to pruning wisteria, let's get your garden ready for its best year yet.
How to Grow Seeds in a Greenhouse
Matt W · 24th Feb 2026
Before sowing your first seed, optimise your greenhouse environment. Position seed trays on the south-facing side where they'll receive maximum natural light. Install shelving to maximise vertical space?a standard 8x6 greenhouse can house 12+ seed trays when properly configured.
Insulate against temperature fluctuations by using bubble wrap on greenhouse walls during February?April sowings. This simple step maintains 3?5?C warmer night-time temperatures, crucial for heat-loving seedlings like tomatoes and peppers.
March Gardening Jobs: UK Checklist 2026
Matt W · 24th Feb 2026
March 2026 is when the growing season starts. From sowing tomatoes under glass to preparing your greenhouse for spring, here are all the jobs worth doing this month.
Potting Shed Ideas: Layout & Storage Tips
Matt W · 24th Feb 2026
A potting shed works best when you plan the interior before filling it. This guide covers layout, sizing, wall storage, staging setup, and organisation ideas for UK gardeners.
5 Plants That Damage Greenhouse Frames
Matt W · 24th Feb 2026
Wisteria, ivy, fig roots, grapevines, and running bamboo can all damage your greenhouse frame. Learn how to spot the risks early and protect your investment.
Wooden vs Aluminium Greenhouses: Cost, Heat & Maintenance
Matt W · 24th Feb 2026
Wooden vs aluminium greenhouses compared by installers with 15 years experience. Heat retention, maintenance, cost, and appearance with a comparison table.
February Gardening Jobs: UK Checklist 2026
Matt W · 30th Jan 2026
February brings the first real signs of spring to UK gardens. With daylight hours steadily increasing and early bulbs like snowdrops putting on a display, the 2026 growing season is officially underway. These essential tasks will set your garden up for success this year.
Glass vs Polycarbonate Greenhouses: Which?
Matt W · 21st Jan 2026
Choose greenhouse glazing by how you use the garden, your site and the plants you want to grow. Toughened glass gives clear views and a traditional finish.
Best Beginner Greenhouse: Expert Picks 2026
Matt W · 19th Jan 2026
If you are looking for a reliable all-rounder to start your journey, we recommend looking at the Vitavia Venus Greenhouse range. It is available in the popular 8x6 size, as well as the compact 6x6 and 6x4 sizes for smaller gardens.
Potting Shed vs Greenhouse: Which to Buy
Matt W · 13th Jan 2026
The main difference between them is that a greenhouse prioritises maximum light for high yields, while a potting shed offers superior insulation and storage for propagation. If you have limited space, the decision often comes down to this trade-off between summer growing power and year-round practicality.
Top 10 Greenhouses 2026: Expert Picks
Matt W · 6th Jan 2026
While the classic 8ft x 6ft greenhouse remains the most popular size for allotments and larger plots, we find that plenty of UK gardeners are looking for something more compact. As modern gardens get smaller, many of our customers are opting for 6x6 and 6x4 greenhouses that fit perfectly into tighter spaces without sacrificing growing potential.
How to Grow Carrots: The Ultimate UK Guide (Raised Beds & Pots)
Matt W · 17th Dec 2025
There is a distinct "snap" when you bite into a home-grown carrot that you simply don’t get from a supermarket bag. That crunch, followed by an intense, earthy sweetness, is the reward for patience. In helping UK gardeners since 2012, we’ve found that while carrots are incredibly popular, they are also frequently misunderstood.
Greenhouse Wind Damage: Prevention, Storm Prep, and Repair Guide
Matt W · 17th Dec 2025
Prevent and repair greenhouse wind damage. Storm prep checklist, windbreak planting guide, post-storm inspection, emergency repairs and insurance claims. From installers with Greenhouse Stores experience since 2012.
Should a Greenhouse Be Watertight?
Matt W · 16th Dec 2025
A greenhouse should be water-resistant, not watertight. Small drips during heavy rain are normal. Never seal glass with silicone — replace rubber gaskets every 15-20 years instead.
A Greenhouse Grower's Guide to Cucumbers
Matt W · 15th Dec 2025
Sow greenhouse cucumbers indoors in April for an unheated greenhouse, using warm conditions for germination. Move plants into their final position when nights are reliably mild.
How to Grow Garlic in a Greenhouse
Matt W · 5th Dec 2025
Growing garlic in a greenhouse solves these problems instantly. You control the water, you eliminate the rain that spreads fungal spores, and you can harvest weeks earlier than your allotment neighbours. Whether you have a spacious aluminium structure or a compact wooden model, garlic is one of the most rewarding "set and forget" winter crops you can grow.
How to Grow Mushrooms in a Greenhouse
Matt W · 5th Dec 2025
Start with a mushroom kit, check its growing conditions and learn how to manage winter temperatures and suspect growth safely.
How to Grow Strawberries in a Greenhouse
Matt W · 5th Dec 2025
There are few things more quintessentially British than the taste of a freshly picked strawberry. But why wait until late June for that first bite? In helping UK gardeners since 2012, we’ve found that growing strawberries under glass is one of the most rewarding ways to utilise your greenhouse.