Best Greenhouse Tomato Varieties UK: 8 Proven Picks for 2026
Matt W · 10th Mar 2026
The 8 best tomato varieties for UK greenhouses, from sweet Sungold cherries to meaty Marmande beefsteaks. Tried and tested by our installers over 16 years.
Buying a Greenhouse
Choosing the right greenhouse for a UK garden — cost, size, material, planning permission, and side-by-side comparisons written by the team that installs them.
Metal vs Wood Raised Beds: Which Material Lasts Longer in UK Gardens?
Matt W · 8th Mar 2026
Metal raised beds outlast wood by 10 to 15 years in UK gardens. We compare aluminium and wooden raised beds on price, lifespan, drainage, and growing performance — with real data from 13 years of fitting them.
Greenhouse Watering & Irrigation Guide: Manual vs Automatic Systems
Matt W · 6th Mar 2026
Compare six greenhouse watering methods from hand watering to solar-powered irrigation. Real UK prices, seasonal schedules, and holiday solutions from expert installers.
Greenhouse vs Polytunnel: Which Is Better for a UK Garden?
Matt W · 3rd Mar 2026
An honest comparison of greenhouses and polytunnels covering cost, durability, heat retention, wind resistance, pest control and property value. Includes 15-year cost breakdown.
Greenhouse Staging and Shelving Guide: What to Buy and How to Set Up
Matt W · 3rd Mar 2026
A practical guide to greenhouse staging and shelving. Covers heights, materials, weight capacities, layout planning by greenhouse size, and the five mistakes we see on every other install.
Lean-To Greenhouse Guide: Buying, Positioning and What to Grow
Matt W · 3rd Mar 2026
A practical guide to lean-to greenhouses covering wall positioning, sizing, thermal benefits, installation prep and what to grow. Includes comparison table, product recommendations and planning permission rules.
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.
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.
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.
Glass vs Polycarbonate Greenhouses: Which?
Matt W · 21st Jan 2026
While glass is the heavy-duty standard for British gardens, polycarbonate offers specific safety benefits. This guide compares the technical specifications, thermal performance, and wind resistance of both glazing types to help you decide.
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.
Greenhouse Succulents UK: Growing and Care Guide
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.
Think Your Garden is Too Small for a Greenhouse?
Matt W · 23rd Jul 2025
The biggest myth in greenhouse for small garden ownership is that you need a massive garden. Let's debunk this misconception with hard facts about compact greenhouse UK requirements.
Your small garden isn't a limitation—it's an opportunity for focused, intensive growing that can rival much larger setups in productivity per square foot. The key is choosing the right small garden greenhouse size, maximising vertical space, and focusing on high-value crops.
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.
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.
Summerhouse Buying Guide
Matt W · 2nd Dec 2024
Your garden tells a unique story - one of seasons passing, of dreams taking root, of nature and human design intertwining. Adding a summer house to this living canvas isn't just about placing a structure; it's about creating a space where indoor comfort meets garden magic, where every window frames a view of your carefully tended landscape.
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.
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.
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 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.