Greenhouses
Take your gardening pursuits to the next level with greenhouse ideas and expert advice
For any gardener, a highlight of the warmer months is being able to get out into the garden: to plant out the lovingly raised seedlings, put up your hanging baskets as the blooms begin to cascade, and start work on the all-but-dormant vegetable patch. This is not the start of a gardener’s journey, however: the process begins while the garden is still asleep under layers of frost, with seeds being sown and placed on every available windowsill, slowly taking over the house. The greenhouse overcomes this challenge, letting you start off as many seedlings as your heart desires, without worrying about where they are going to live. The benefits are not just felt at the start of the growing season, either, as even an unheated greenhouse can delay the effects of frost by several weeks, letting you maximise the yield of crops – such as picking fresh tomatoes well into October.
Beyond practicality, the greenhouse also creates a peaceful sanctuary – a private place to escape to even when you are not gardening. ‘Homeowners are starting to style their gardens like their homes and see a greenhouse as a timeless centrepiece,’ says Tom Barry, CEO of Hartley Botanic. ‘It is a way to show off their stunning plant collections, and in the summer adds another dimension to enjoying their outdoor space.’ Gone are the days of the greenhouse being used solely as a space to grow: think of it also as a space to live. Picking a generous design and adding some comfortable seating and organised shelving can easily transform your greenhouse into an alfresco dining or sitting room. As we all know, connecting with nature is a great stress-reliever, and a well-kept greenhouse can double as a relaxing sanctuary. Simply adding a comfortable armchair will transform it into a quiet space where you can relax, read a book, listen to music or just take a moment to get away from the demands of day-to-day life.
A POTTED HISTORY
The greenhouse is not a new creation – the earliest known design, around 27-30AD, was built so that Roman Emperor Tiberius could enjoy his favourite cucumber-like fruit all year round. This design was akin to a cart with a semiopaque cover of oiled cloth or selenite, but worked in a similar way to greenhouses today.
The first freestanding, permanent designs were built in Italy’s botanic gardens in the 13th century to grow tropical plants for medicinal purposes. Greenhouses finally reached UK shores in the 16th century, alongside a flood of exotic plants. They quickly became a symbol of affluence, predominately due to the expensive glass tax. It was only with the arrival of the Industrial Revolution that glass, and greenhouses, become more affordable and available to a wider population. These Victorian designs, with ornate details, are still loved today. ‘To stay true to the Victorian origins, consider growing citrus, pineapples, palms, orchids, and hibiscus,’ advises PL garden expert, Leigh Clapp.
STANDING STRONG
FREESTANDING - the quintessential greenhouse and can be any shape - usually rectangular, square or octagonal. As its name suggests it stands on its own base, whether soil or slabs. ABUTTING - similar to freestanding, an abutting greenhouse structurally stands on its own but its fourth wall is ‘borrowed’ from an existing wall, whether a garden wall, house or shed. While its positioning is limited, it does have the benefit of residual heat from the wall, making it warmer for plants. LEAN-TO - like an abutting greenhouse, the fourth wall of this design is borrowed from a pre-existing structure, but it also relies on this for support. Usually a lean-to is the most compact choice, so is ideal for smaller gardens.
THE PERFECT POSITION
There are three key factors when it comes to the siting of a greenhouse: sunlight, access to amenities, and aesthetics. Sunlight is the leading factor in positioning, so pick a spot that will give your greenhouse as much light as possible throughout the day and all year round. Map out the shadows that fall across your garden and how they move through the day, then discount the most shaded areas. A slightly breezy section of the garden is also a good spot as it will help with ventilation. When positioning a lean-to greenhouse, choose a south-facing wall for maximum sunlight. No matter the style, the ridge at the top should ideally run from east to west – ‘This will allow the sun to run along its longest side during the day,’ advises Tom Barry.
While connection to electricity and running water is not essential, it does increase the efficiency of a greenhouse. Adding lights, heat and water allows you to have greater control over the environment inside your growing space, letting you curate it to the needs of your plants no matter the weather outside. Connecting the greenhouse to an electricity source requires expert installation, but it is useful to be connected to the mains supply – the same applies to running water. While there are automatic watering systems available for greenhouses, ‘these are not always necessary for even
the largest domestic structures, and doing without also allows the personal touch of a gardener,’ says Tom. In most cases, access to a garden tap and hose will be sufficient.
Alternatively, consider sustainable options, which will also provide greater flexibility in siting. Water butts can be fitted to greenhouse guttering to maximise the use of rainwater, which is both eco-friendly and, since it lacks the minerals in fresh drinking water, is better for your plants. Solar panels, either attached to the greenhouse or nearby, will provide you with electricity to run heating and light.
If you are planning to include growing beds to plant directly in the soil, it is vital to make sure that the soil is fertile before erecting your greenhouse.
TIMELESS STYLE
It is important to think about the way in which a greenhouse will aesthetically harmonise with both your garden and your home. ‘Your greenhouse needs to find a natural place within your existing garden, rather than dominate it,’ advises Tom. To achieve this, think first of the size of your garden, as it is important that a greenhouse does not take up too much space. Make sure it is no more than a quarter of your garden’s overall area, leaving lots of space for you to plant the lovingly raised seedlings into the garden.
Also, consider the style of your home - both inside and out. If you live in a classic Victorian townhouse then either a greenhouse with traditional gothic design elements, or something more modern, could work well; if, however, your home is a pretty thatch with a cottage garden, then a more modest timber design will better complement it.
CRYSTAL CLEAR ON GLAZING
Perspex – or acrylic – is the most popular glazing option, favoured for its light weight and affordability. Highly durable, it is a good choice for family gardens and exposed plots as it is shatter-resistant and will withstand occasional impact.
If you are creating a professional growing environment, however, then glass is the way to go. ‘If cleaned properly, glass maintains its transparency and doesn’t discolour with age, meaning that light transmission isn’t affected, and your plants are able to absorb all that sunlight,’ says John Lawson, sales director at Alitex. There are also self-cleaning options that use the sun’s UV rays to clear dirt. If you opt for glass, be sure to pick safety glass to ensure that if it were to break, it would shatter safely and not leave splinters in your garden.
PLANNING PERMISSION
As greenhouses are one-storey structures, they are classed as permitted development in the majority of cases. However, there are some limits: additions need to be less than 2.5m tall and not disproportionate to the size of your house. If you live in a Conservation Area or your home is listed then additional rules will apply restricting size, design and location. For more information visit planningportal.co.uk.