July Garden Tips
Matt W · 4th Jul 2018
Rain is a bit elusive in July, but regardless of that, there is still plenty to do in the garden.
In this guide, we share some July gardening tips so you can still keep your garden in tip-top condition.
Greenhouse Stores Blog
10 Gardening Tips for Winter
Matt W · 25th Jan 2018
10 winter gardening jobs that keep UK gardens ticking through frost: insulation, pruning, planting and tools from greenhouse installers with Greenhouse Stores experience since 2012.
Growing Your Own Vegetables
Matt W · 5th May 2017
It?s beautiful to see there are still people who wish to grow their own vegetables. The urban era is gaining fast, and most people think that the easiest way to live healthy is to order your vegetables online or shop at your closest grocery store.
Why Are Young People Turning to Gardening?
Matt W · 4th Apr 2017
Young people aged 18-35 are the fastest-growing group of UK gardeners, with a 29% increase since 2020. Container gardening, balcony growing and mini greenhouses let renters grow food in spaces as small as 1 square metre.
The Complete Guide to Growing Annual Flowers
Matt W · 21st Oct 2016
One of the things gardeners find most appealing about annual plants is their diversity and variety. Annuals allow creative growers to put together eye-popping combinations of colours that will last a whole season. From bright eye-catching flowers such as Mexican sunflowers and zinnias to the pastel hues of lavatera, annual plants give you a great palette to choose from!
12 Helpful Pointers for Buying Greenhouses
Matt W · 19th Oct 2016
Greenhouses come in many different shapes, sizes and styles, making it easy to find one that suits your tastes and wallet best. There are all sorts of designs from classic to contemporary styles. The best rule of thumb for buying a greenhouse is definitely with what you can afford; buy the best and biggest that you can. As always, quality shouldn?t be overlooked.
10 Greenhouse Gardening Advantages
Matt W · 19th Oct 2016
Don?t be discouraged by the cost of building your own greenhouse, as greenhouse gardening is really the newest innovative way to garden. You need to weigh up the gains from greenhouse gardening against the cost you will incur from building it.
After reading this article, it will become obvious that the benefits of greenhouse gardening far outweigh the costs.
Growing Herbs from Seed
Matt W · 18th Aug 2016
Many herbs take well to growing in a sunny kitchen window, although some will bolt, as in send up a flower stalk and try to set seeds, much earlier at room temperature. Constantly harvesting indoor-grown herbs can keep them in a constant state of renewal.
A greenhouse is a perfect place to get herbs started for the season, and also to grow more tender or tropical selections like basil, bay leaf, marjoram, and lemongrass.
Pots, Bags or Border Growing? Which is best?
Matt W · 13th Jul 2016
Although the question of whether pots grow bags or border growing is best in the greenhouse seems simple, the answer isn't clear-cut. It depends on what you are growing and your circumstances.
6 Essential Greenhouse Growing Tips for Beginners
Matt W · 18th May 2016
Growing your own produce in a greenhouse is an incredibly fulfilling and enjoyable pass time, but as with any hobby that requires a degree of skill and knowledge, the learning curve can be quite steep. Even when growing the hardiest of plant species, there is a large number of variables that can affect growth rates and the success of a yield.
How to Make Your Own Compost: UK Beginner's Guide
Matt W · 3rd May 2016
How to make your own compost in the UK. Hot bin in 4-6 months or cold heap in 12-18, with the 50/50 greens-to-browns ratio explained for greenhouse and raised-bed growers.
7 Health Benefits of Gardening: What the Research Says
Matt W · 13th Apr 2016
Gardening reduces cortisol levels, lowers dementia risk by 36 percent, and burns 200 to 400 calories per hour. Research from Dutch, Swedish, and Australian studies confirms seven distinct health benefits. A greenhouse extends these benefits year-round by providing a warm, sheltered growing space.
What Are the Best Spring Plants to Grow in a Greenhouse
Matt W · 11th Feb 2016
If you like growing flowering plants for decorative use as well as edible crops in your greenhouse, the petunia is an excellent choice to plant at this time of year. Unlike some other plants you can grow from March, petunia plants do not need an additional heat source in early spring, and will grow comfortably in the shelter of your greenhouse.
How to Protect Your Greenhouse from Bad Weather
Matt W · 9th Feb 2016
One of the things that can cause the most weakness in a greenhouse is when it is not properly level. This can leave the panels and glass slightly loose and less protected than they should be ? something that becomes far more of a problem when it is windy or wet. Choose a good greenhouse with the best build quality you can afford, and make sure you erect it so it is straight, level and stable.
How to Prepare Your Greenhouse for Spring
Matt W · 22nd Jan 2016
Most garden pests die off over winter because it is cold and they can?t survive in freezing temperatures, but in the relatively comfortable environment of a greenhouse, any remaining pests will thrive. Slugs, aphids, red spider mite and mealy bugs all like to hibernate in hidden places inside a greenhouse. If you don?t eradicate them before spring, your newly sown seedlings will provide a tasty banquet for them to feast on. A deep clean will help you locate any sneaky slugs and other pests before they cause havoc when you start sowing seeds.
Growing Chillies in a Greenhouse: UK Guide
Matt W · 19th Jan 2016
We're all tempted to grow the extremes, the biggest or most flavourful and with chilli peppers, the hottest. But do think it through, there's little point in putting a lot of effort into growing a pepper that is so hot you can't actually use it. A milder variety means you can add flavour as well as heat to a dish where even one of the super-hot chillies can be too hot to taste and just makes the dish hot.
How to Make Your Greenhouse Environmentally Friendly
Matt W · 16th Dec 2015
Cut greenhouse running costs in half with bubble wrap insulation, rainwater harvesting, peat-free compost, and biological pest controls. UK installer's guide to the five changes with real numbers on savings.
Modern Ring Culture with Growbags
Matt W · 11th Dec 2015
Modern ring culture with growbags means planting into a bottomless pot or growing ring positioned over an opening in the bag. The ring adds compost depth and gives you a clearer place to water and feed.
How much does it cost to heat a greenhouse
Matt W · 30th Nov 2015
It's pretty obvious that the larger the greenhouse, the higher the cost of heating it but it is possible to curtain off a section of the house in the winter with bubble-wrap and reduce the volume that has to be heated.
How to choose a garden Shed
Matt W · 24th Nov 2015
A UK installer's guide to choosing a garden shed: compare wood, metal and plastic by price, durability and upkeep. Matt's pick is the Power 8x6 Shiplap Apex Wooden Shed at £764 - from customer and product experience since 2012.
Tips for Creating the Perfect Greenhouse for Growing Food
Matt W · 11th Nov 2015
There are many complexities of greenhouse gardening that confuse people today. However, many of the rules and regulations that cause the most confusion are ones you can simply forget about. To have a really well cultivated greenhouse you simply need to use some real soil, add plenty of light and air, water when necessary and nourish the plants.
Winter Greenhouse Care: UK Guide
Matt W · 10th Nov 2015
Greenhouse gardening is the best way to undertake winter gardening because it allows you to enjoy your hobby when it's freezing cold outside. Of course, if you want to see success here, there are some things you will need to do. Keep reading to find out more.
How to Insulate a Greenhouse: Materials, Methods and Heat Savings
Matt W · 10th Sep 2015
Step-by-step greenhouse insulation guide from expert installers. Covers bubble wrap fitting, R-values, draft-proofing, polycarbonate comparison and real heating cost data. Includes month-by-month calendar and product recommendations.
What to Grow from Seed in the Greenhouse Over Winter
Matt W · 10th Sep 2015
Things will grow very slowly if at all in December and January. Not so much because of the temperature but because the length of the day is at its shortest around the winter solstice (21st December). They will be gathering their energies ready to leap ahead come February when the days noticeably lengthen so long as the greenhouse is at least frost free.