When is the Best Time of Year to Use a Greenhouse?

As greenhouses provide a stable, controlled growing environment, seeds can be sown in them throughout the year. And when you sow seeds inside a greenhouse, you have the opportunity to start them off a lot earlier than you can outdoors.

Exact timings, of course, will depend on the type of seed you’re sowing and the temperature inside the greenhouse, the latter being determined by the weather outside and the use of various temperature-control measures within the greenhouse.

The time of year between the first and last frosts is particularly dangerous for tender plants. If they are going to survive these harsh conditions unscathed, they’ll need some assistance.

Greenhouses are able to provide this help because they create a gentler environment over the winter months, giving plants the light, moisture and warmth they need to survive.

On a similar note, some plants are unsuited to the UK’s climate at any time of year, but as a glasshouse is a controlled environment, it gives you the opportunity to grow more exotic species, especially when the greenhouse is supplemented by an appropriate combination of vents, insulation, greenhouse heaters and shading.

Do certain types of plant never seem to thrive in your garden? If so, there could be a multitude of reasons for this, some of which you may never get to know. And if those plants happen to be amongst your favourite varieties – well, it’s bound to be a blow.

However, help is at hand…

Chances are that if you attempt to grow these plants in the stable, controlled environment of a greenhouse, using fresh compost, you’ll get vastly improved results, regardless of the type of plant concerned and the time of year it’s in bloom.

Growing plants is addictive and if you aim to expand your collection by purchasing them all from a garden centre, there’s a danger it could become a very expensive business. Therefore, taking cuttings from family and friends (or your own garden) is a great idea.

Just like with seedlings, cuttings will thrive in a greenhouse. You’ll be able to optimise the amount of water, heat and light they receive, while minimising these young plants’ risk of succumbing to stress or disease.

Not everyone has a large garden, with spacious borders and plenty of room for planters. Perhaps your outdoor area just consists of a small patio area or courtyard, and this is frustrating your desire to start gardening?

If so, a small greenhouse (possibly a lean-to model) provides the answer, by giving you somewhere to garden, right outside your back door, at any time of year.

And don’t underestimate how much you can grow in a small greenhouse, either. The floor provides ample room for growbags, while multi-tiered shelves and staging offer plenty of space for your handheld tools and potted plants. And if the greenhouse is tall, even better, as it won’t be taking up any more ground space but will transmit more natural light and allow you to grow a greater variety of plants.

Early spring is the right time to sow the seeds of hardy plants, for example onions, sprouts and leeks.

As spring unfolds, a greenhouse provides the ideal environment for faster-growing, more tender plants, such as cucumbers, French beans and peaches, some of which you might choose to transfer outside in early summer.

And If you’re using a greenhouse heater or heated propagator, it opens up even greater possibilities and lets you get started that little bit earlier.

During the summer months, one of the key things to ensure is that the temperature inside your greenhouse doesn’t get too hot. Using greenhouse vents, louvre windows and shading are all good ways to prevent this happening.

That said, you’ll still want to select plants that can tolerate the heat. Strawberries, salad leaves and tomatoes are all excellent choices. In terms of flowers, orchids and roses should both thrive in a well-managed summer greenhouse too.

Please note that at this time of year, you will also need to pay particular attention to watering, so check your plants’ water levels daily.

Autumn is a suitable time to plant out lettuces into beds or growbags, for harvesting during the winter months.

Sow broad beans and peas to overwinter in the greenhouse too, for planting out the following spring.

And why not take cuttings of fuchsias and geraniums, from a friend or family member’s garden, to overwinter in your greenhouse before planting them outside the following year?

At this time of year, a greenhouse, particularly a heated one, isn’t just somewhere to overwinter plants. There’s nothing to prevent you growing new ones too.    

However, just like in early spring, you’ll want to choose hardier specimens, for example potatoes, spinach and broccoli.

In terms of flowers, pansies and dahlias should also do well in a winter greenhouse.

And don’t forget that winter presents the ideal opportunity to maintain your greenhouse. Cleaning the glazing, checking the thermostats, and ensuring your pots are in suitable condition are all key tasks, best carried out at this time of year.

In short, anytime – the most important thing is to make your purchase from a trusted retailer, like Buy Sheds Direct.

We stock an exceptional range of greenhouses for sale, in every conceivable size and design. This includes traditional glasshouses with wooden frames, high-specification polycarbonate greenhouses, and greenhouses with aluminium frames.

And if you visit the Greenhouse category on our website now, you’ll find some incredible offers running right across all the popular brands.