Keeping a greenhouse clean, safe and productive — annual cleaning routines, pest control, repairs, and the checks installers make every season.
Matt W · 3rd Jun 2026
After 16 years fitting Swallow wooden greenhouses, we compare ThermoWood with softwood, set out real fitted costs, the yearly maintenance job and the five models we install most across UK gardens.
Matt W · 19th May 2026
Which greenhouse survives a Scottish Highland winter? Two ranges come back to us a decade later with no failures: the Elite Titan 1000 heavy-gauge aluminium range and the Swallow wooden range in thermo wood. UK wind zones, frame gauge, anchoring, glazing, snow load, plus a 10-point site survey checklist for exposed plots.
Matt W · 18th May 2026
Which pest repelling plants actually work in a UK greenhouse? French marigolds cut whitefly by ~38%, tagetes suppress root-knot nematodes, nasturtiums trap aphids. We cover the science-backed seven plus the myths most blogs repeat without evidence.
Matt W · 22nd Apr 2026
A UK seasonal maintenance checklist from greenhouse installers with 16 years experience. Task by task through spring, summer, autumn, and winter — keep your greenhouse safe, clean, and productive all year round.
Matt W · 19th Mar 2026
Greenhouse flooring affects drainage, temperature, pest control, and comfort. Gravel over weed membrane is the most popular choice, used in 60% of the greenhouses we install. This guide compares gravel, slabs, concrete, soil, and matting with real costs.
Matt W · 19th Mar 2026
UK greenhouse growers lose up to 40% of their crop yield to ten avoidable mistakes. This guide covers each one with the specific fix, from auto vent openers to the right compost, based on 16 years of greenhouse installations.
Matt W · 9th Mar 2026
One in three DIY greenhouse builds have a base problem. After 13 years of professional installation and 150,000 orders, we have seen every mistake. This guide covers the 10 most common and exactly how to prevent each one.
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.
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 16 years experience.
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.
Matt W · 3rd Dec 2025
Winter pansies flower from November to April in UK gardens, surviving temperatures down to -10°C. Plant in September or October for the strongest roots. Deadhead every 2-3 days to keep blooms coming all winter.
Matt W · 27th Aug 2025
Ants do not appear at random. They are seeking two things: food and suitable nesting sites. Understanding these drivers makes control far more effective.
Foraging workers travel along established trails, clustering around sweet food sources such as fallen fruit, aphid honeydew, pet food left outdoors, and poorly managed compost. Black garden ants will also enter homes—especially kitchens—in warm weather when scouts search for new resources.
Matt W · 22nd Aug 2025
Rats enter greenhouses through 20mm gaps at the base, door sweeps, and glazing seals. Matt's rat-proofing method: 6mm mesh under the base, door excluder, and exclusion before trapping.
Matt W · 21st Aug 2025
Homemade weed killer recipes using vinegar, salt, boiling water and citrus oil. Pet-safe options, application timing and what actually works on perennials, from greenhouse installers with 16 years on UK gardens.
Matt W · 20th Aug 2025
Greenhouse succulents thrive in UK conditions when you control temperature (18-24°C daytime), humidity (below 50%) and winter heating. This guide covers the best varieties, seasonal care, heating costs and setup from expert greenhouse installers.
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.
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.
Matt W · 19th May 2025
12 slug control methods ranked by effectiveness, cost, and environmental impact. Bran barriers scored 5/5 in Gardeners' World trials. Morning watering matches chemical pellets. Copper tape delivers an electrical shock. Tested by UK gardeners and greenhouse installers.
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.
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 16 years of greenhouse experience.
Matt W · 1st Apr 2025
April gardening tasks for UK gardens and greenhouses covering hardening off, direct sowing, lawn feeding and weed control.
Matt W · 13th Mar 2025
Grow ginger in a UK greenhouse with our step-by-step guide. Covers planting, temperature requirements, monthly care calendar, harvesting and common mistakes.
Matt W · 24th Feb 2025
Grow peonies in your UK garden with this specific guide to planting depth, soil preparation, variety selection, annual care, pest management, division, and cutting for vases. Covers herbaceous, tree, and Itoh types with a seasonal care calendar.
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.
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