For many UK gardeners, the dream of growing tender vegetables or nurturing delicate flowers can feel like a constant battle against unpredictable weather. A sudden frost, a week of relentless rain or a surprise gust of wind can undo weeks of hard work. A walk in greenhouse offers a practical solution, creating a protected environment to extend the growing season and cultivate a wider variety of plants.
However, choosing the right one can be confusing, especially with so many options available. This guide is designed to help you understand the key features to look for, whether you have a small patio, a balcony or a dedicated garden patch. We will explore different types, from a compact mini greenhouse to a more spacious grow house, to help you find a model that fits your space and gardening ambitions.
Choosing Your Ideal Greenhouse: Key Considerations
Before making a decision, it’s helpful to consider a few practical points. Matching the greenhouse to your specific needs will ensure you get the most out of your purchase for years to come.
1. Assess Your Space and Size Requirements
The most important factor is the available space. Measure the area you intend to use, remembering to account for door access and enough room to walk around the structure if necessary.
- For Balconies and Patios: A tall, narrow mini greenhouse with multiple tiers is an excellent space-saver. These are designed to maximise vertical growing area without a large footprint.
- For Small Gardens: A standard walk in greenhouse offers a good balance. It provides enough room to stand inside, tend to plants comfortably and store a few tools, without dominating the garden.
- For Larger Plots: If you have more room, a deeper model or a small garden polytunnel provides ample space for cultivating a significant number of plants, including taller varieties like tomatoes and cucumbers.
2. Frame and Cover Materials
The durability of a temporary greenhouse largely depends on its frame and cover.
- Frame: Look for frames made from powder-coated steel. This finish helps protect the metal from rust and corrosion, which is essential in the damp UK climate. A key benefit of many modern designs is a tool-free, push-fit assembly system, making setup quick and straightforward.
- Cover: Most affordable models use either a PVC (polyvinyl chloride) or PE (polyethene) cover. A transparent PVC cover allows for easy monitoring of your plants, while a reinforced PE cover often offers enhanced durability. Both materials are designed to be weather-resistant, protecting plants from frost, wind and excess rain while trapping warmth and humidity.
3. Shelving and Internal Layout
A greenhouse with shelves is crucial for organisation and maximising your growing capacity. Consider models with removable wire shelves. This flexibility allows you to accommodate small pots and seed trays on multiple levels or remove a shelf to make room for taller, more mature plants as they grow. Placing heavier items like grow bags on the bottom shelf can also add valuable stability to the structure.
Recommended Greenhouses to Consider
Based on features that cater to common gardening needs in the UK, here are our recommendations.
Vonhaus 4 Tier Mini Greenhouse
- Why It Stands Out: This is the quintessential solution for gardeners with minimal space. Its vertical design and small footprint make it perfect for balconies, small patios or even a sunny indoor spot for starting seeds. It functions as an ideal starter grow house.
- Pros:
- Compact Dimensions: At H150 x W50 x D45cm, it fits into tight spaces.
- Four Removable Shelves: Offers great flexibility for plants of varying heights.
- Tool-Free Assembly: The simple push-together frame can be assembled in minutes.
- Durable Construction: Features a powder-coated steel frame and a weather-resistant PVC cover with a roll-up zip door.
- Who is it for: Beginners, urban gardeners with balconies or anyone needing a dedicated space for propagating seedlings before planting them out.
Vonhaus Walk in Greenhouse
- Why It Stands Out: This model provides the full "walk-in" experience in a compact and accessible format. It offers significantly more space than a mini greenhouse, allowing you to stand inside and tend to your plants comfortably.
- Pros:
- Spacious Interior: Dimensions of H193cm x W143cm x D73cm provide ample headroom and floor space.
- Six Integrated Shelves: Maximises vertical storage for pots and trays, with each shelf holding up to 8kg.
- Easy Access: The roll-up zip panel door makes entry and ventilation simple.
- Sturdy Build: A powder-coated steel frame and resilient PVC cover provide a stable and protected environment.
- Who is it for: Hobbyist gardeners with a small to medium-sized garden who want to step up from a cold frame or mini greenhouse.
Vonhaus Deep Walk in Greenhouse
- Why It Stands Out: With double the depth of the standard walk-in model, this greenhouse offers a substantial amount of growing and working space. Its generous dimensions are comparable to a small garden polytunnel, providing room for a much larger collection of plants.
- Pros:
- Expansive Space: The H195cm x W143cm x D143cm size allows for two rows of shelving and a central walkway.
- High Capacity: Comes with eight strong wire shelves, providing extensive room for cultivation.
- Reinforced Cover: The tough, re-enforced PVC cover offers extra protection against the elements.
- Versatile Layout: The large interior can accommodate grow bags on the floor, tall plants and storage for tools.
- Who is it for: Ambitious gardeners who need a large, protected area for a diverse range of plants or for overwintering tender perennials.
Looking for Something Else?
A greenhouse is just the beginning of your protected gardening journey. To get the most out of your new setup, you may need staging, thermometers or automatic vent openers. To enhance your new setup, explore our full range of Greenhouse accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop a small plastic greenhouse from blowing away?
This is a common concern in the UK. To secure your small plastic greenhouse, place heavy items like paving slabs or full grow bags on the bottom frame or lowest shelf. If your model comes with guy ropes and pegs, use them. Positioning the greenhouse in a sheltered spot, such as against a wall or fence, will also provide protection from strong winds.
Can you grow vegetables all year round in a walk in greenhouse in the UK?
A temporary greenhouse significantly extends the growing season. You can start seedlings earlier in spring and continue harvesting later into autumn. Through winter, it's ideal for growing hardy crops like winter salads, spinach and some brassicas. However, for growing heat-loving plants like tomatoes or peppers year-round, you would likely need an additional source of heating during the coldest months.
Is a PVC or PE cover better for a greenhouse?
Both materials are effective for this type of greenhouse. PVC covers are often very clear, giving you a great view of your plants. PE covers, particularly those that are reinforced with a green grid, are known for their strength and resistance to tearing. The choice often comes down to a balance between visibility and long-term durability.
