Greenhouse Stores Blog

Greenhouse Pest Control Guide UK

Matt W · 24th Jun 2025

One aphid can have 80 babies in a week. In your warm greenhouse, that means 6,000+ aphids in a month if you don't catch them early. For UK gardeners, pest control isn't just about plant health?it's about protecting months of work from bugs that love our mild climate.

UK greenhouses are different from outdoor gardening. Outside, cold winters kill most pests and natural predators control the rest. Inside your greenhouse? It's warm, sheltered, and full of food. Perfect conditions for pests.

How to Fix a Lean-to Greenhouse on an Uneven Wall

Matt W · 10th Jun 2025

Fix a lean-to greenhouse on an uneven wall with the timber goalpost framework method. Covers wall assessment, materials, step-by-step levelling, weatherproofing and mounting on brick, render and pebbledash.

What to Grow in a Greenhouse in June

Matt W · 6th Jun 2025

The month brings with it the perfect conditions for establishing tender crops that will provide abundant harvests throughout summer and into autumn. A greenhouse is a great asset to any vegetable plot, enabling gardeners to make the most of the sun.

Even the smallest, unheated structure will allow gardeners to extend the seasons and produce good crops of a wide range of vegetables.

The Ultimate Guide to Slug Control

Matt W · 19th May 2025

Find what is eating your plants, protect vulnerable seedlings and choose slug-control methods with realistic expectations.

May Gardening Jobs: What to Do in the Garden and Greenhouse

Matt W · 9th May 2025

May gardening jobs for UK gardens and greenhouses covering planting out tender crops, tomato care, ventilation and the Chelsea chop from installers with Greenhouse Stores experience since 2012.

How to Prepare Ground for a Greenhouse Base

Matt W · 8th May 2025

A solid base is the backbone of any greenhouse. You might think skipping this step saves time, but trust me?I've seen plenty of greenhouses fail because of poor foundations. A dodgy base causes more headaches than you'd believe.

What happens with a bad base? Glass cracks. Doors jam. The structure twists. Water pools where it shouldn't. And fixing these problems costs way more than doing it right first time.

Ultimate Guide to Destroying Greenfly

Matt W · 29th Apr 2025

Get rid of greenfly with 14 proven natural methods. Covers washing-up liquid spray, garlic tea, ladybirds, parasitic wasps, companion planting, and ventilation for UK greenhouses and gardens. Includes a comparison table, Matt's Pick for prevention, and FAQs. Written by Matt W with Greenhouse Stores experience since 2012.

A Complete Guide to Roses

Matt W · 29th Apr 2025

Roses remain one of the most beloved flowers in gardens around the world, known for their beauty, scent, and variety. Whether you're looking at them in a grand garden or simply enjoying them on your kitchen table, roses bring joy to many gardeners. This guide covers everything you need to know about picking, planting, and looking after roses so they grow well and produce gorgeous blooms year after year.

Best Position for a Greenhouse UK: Expert Placement Guide 2026

Matt W · 1st Apr 2025

The best position for a greenhouse in the UK is south-facing with the ridge running east to west. Keep at least 2 metres from buildings and trees, on level ground with good drainage. A south-facing 6x8 greenhouse runs 3-5 degrees C warmer than the same model facing north.

April Gardening Jobs: What to Do in the Garden and Greenhouse

Matt W · 1st Apr 2025

April gardening tasks for UK gardens and greenhouses covering hardening off, direct sowing, lawn feeding and weed control.

How to Grow Shallots in a Greenhouse: UK Guide 2026

Matt W · 31st Mar 2025

Shallots grow faster and more reliably in a greenhouse than outdoors in the UK. Plant sets from January in modules at 15-20cm spacing. Maintain 10-21 degrees C and water when the top 25mm of compost dries out. Most varieties reach harvest in 90-120 days.

How to grow ginger in a greenhouse: UK pot guide

Matt W · 13th Mar 2025

Grow culinary ginger in pots with a practical UK plan for starting rhizomes, greenhouse care, harvesting and winter protection.

March Gardening Jobs: What to Do in the Garden and Greenhouse

Matt W · 27th Feb 2025

March gardening tasks for UK gardens and greenhouses covering seed sowing, pruning, lawn care and greenhouse preparation.

How to Grow Peony Flowers: UK Planting and Care Guide

Matt W · 24th Feb 2025

Peonies are hardy garden plants grown for their generous spring and early-summer flowers. Give them a suitable spot outdoors, well-drained soil and time to settle. Planting depth depends on the type: herbaceous peonies need shallow planting, while grafted tree peonies need their graft buried. A greenhouse is not needed for an ordinary garden peony. Here is how to get started and avoid the common mistakes.

How to Grow Orchids In Your Greenhouse

Matt W · 11th Feb 2025

Growing orchids in a UK greenhouse starts with choosing plants that suit the temperatures you can maintain. A moth orchid needs warmth all year; a cooler-growing orchid has different needs. Good light, suitable compost and careful watering matter too. For a few moth orchids, a warm room indoors may be simpler than heating a greenhouse through winter. Build the collection around your available space and conditions.

How to Clean the Glass in Your Greenhouse

Matt W · 11th Feb 2025

Keeping your greenhouse glass clean is important for both your plants and your enjoyment of the space. When the glass is free from dirt, dust, and smudges, more sunlight comes inside, which helps your plants grow stronger and healthier. A bright greenhouse also makes the space look more inviting and cheerful.

Best Garden Rooms 2026

Matt W · 11th Feb 2025

Imagine having an extra room in your garden?a space separate from your house but just as welcoming. In 2025, garden rooms are practical spaces that offer extra room for work, relaxation, or play.

Garden Rooms UK: The Ultimate Buyers Guide to Garden Rooms

Matt W · 3rd Feb 2025

Want extra living space without major construction? A garden room gives you exactly that - a standalone structure that works as a home office, studio, or guest space. Here's what makes these buildings different from basic sheds and what you need to know about planning, materials, and costs.

Natural Ways to Keep Cats Out of Your Garden

Matt W · 20th Jan 2025

Tired of cats ruining your garden? It's frustrating when you spend ages on your flower beds only to have them dug up, or worse - used as a toilet. But there's good news! You can sort this out using bits and bobs from your kitchen cupboards, without hurting our furry neighbours.

What Can I Grow In the Greenhouse In Winter?

Matt W · 19th Dec 2024

Grow kale, spinach, lettuce, carrots and more through winter. This practical UK guide also covers heating, insulation and useful greenhouse equipment.

How to Grow Lavender: Complete UK Guide

Matt W · 19th Dec 2024

Lavender is a lovely plant known for its calming scent, pretty purple flowers, and many uses. If you want to grow a beautiful lavender field or just add some charm to your garden, this guide will help you grow and look after lavender plants.

The best time to plant lavender is in spring, usually between March and May. This gives the plants enough time to grow strong roots before winter. You can also plant lavender in early autumn, but make sure to do it at least six weeks before the first frost so the roots can grow properly.

Japanese Knotweed UK Guide

Matt W · 11th Dec 2024

If you own property in Britain, Japanese knotweed might be the most expensive plant you'll ever encounter. This aggressive invader costs UK homeowners millions each year in damage repairs, and I've seen it tear through gardens, foundations, and driveways like paper. Whether you're a first-time gardener or a seasoned property owner, spotting knotweed early and knowing how to handle it properly could save you from costly repairs and legal headaches. Let me walk you through what every property owner needs to know about identifying and managing this troublesome plant - before it manages you.

Soil Types: A Guide to UK Garden Soils

Matt W · 11th Dec 2024

Six UK soil types explained with the squeeze test and jar test. Practical tips for each type plus greenhouse growing strategies using raised beds and grow bags.

How to Grow Melons in Your Greenhouse

Matt W · 9th Dec 2024

You can grow melons in a UK greenhouse without turning it into a tropical hothouse. Choose an early variety, raise the seedlings in warmth and wait for settled conditions before planting.