Even a small greenhouse can add value to your backyard, support hobbies and gardening dreams, and become your sanctuary.
If your property is too small to accommodate a larger permanent greenhouse, you can still nurture your gardening goals with a small greenhouse. Here’s a brief look at buying one and gardening in a compact space.
Buy The Largest Small Greenhouse Your Space Allows
Space matters in a smaller greenhouse, so buying the largest model that fits and is within your budget is always best. One of the most common things we hear from greenhouse owners is that they wish they had purchased a larger one. Remember this when you start your journey, even if a small greenhouse is on the horizon.
Take a look at your space, your pots, and your plants, and visualize where everything will fit on a surface level. A compact greenhouse can be practical and efficient for anyone wanting to use it for basic projects, like starting seeds or hardening them off before moving them into the landscape or raised beds.
While there are plenty of affordable polycarbonate models on the market, if you’re going to invest in a greenhouse, you should prioritize quality. Otherwise, your investment may be short-lived, and the greenhouse’s stability, functionality, and performance may be compromised.
Where to Place Your Small Greenhouse
Once you’ve purchased your new greenhouse, you’ll want to start planning its new home, which includes the foundation and flooring. Make sure you have a flat surface with good sunlight so that your plants can thrive. Be sure to keep a thermometer in your greenhouse, too, to monitor temperatures and add cooling or heating solutions to accommodate all variations.
Shade cloths and roller shades can make a huge difference in cooling your small greenhouse, and in cooler weather, bubble-wrapping your greenhouse can help keep things cozier.
Gardening in a Small Greenhouse
With a well-thought-out organization, a compact greenhouse can provide ample space for growing and be just as fun and fulfilling. Deciding on your crops is the next step, and that’s the best part!
Cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants thrive in the summer. In the fall, try growing Brussels sprouts, radishes, collards, or green onions. For those who invest in heating systems, carrots, leeks, and asparagus can stay growing strong in the winter. But for many people, spring is when a greenhouse really shines and gives you a head start on the season, especially when you plant tender crops like melons, squash, and pumpkins.
Maximizing Space
Vertical gardening
Planning space in a small greenhouse is the most crucial part of growing efficiently. Vertical gardening is an excellent idea for a smaller spaces, and you can easily incorporate it with the following:
Hanging planters
Wall planters
Garden towers
Hooks
Plant stands
Shelving
Old workbenches and potting shelves can really help keep things tidy in a small greenhouse. These pieces can be used to store gardening tools and accessories, place trays of seeds or potted plants on them, and add charm to your compact space.
Is it Time to Size Up?
If you’ve already outgrown your small greenhouse and are ready for an upgrade, fret not! EXACO distributes greenhouses of all sizes, from our smallest Riga ‘s’ to our Janssens Victorian Gigant.
Where to Start
No matter how big or small your space is, you can have a greenhouse that serves its purpose and suits your needs. Even a cold frame can help you protect plants and tender ones during unpredictable weather.
Find an EXACO retailer here or reach out to our team. Start making your dream of greenhouse gardening a reality today!