The best greenhouse can offer you some vital outdoor storage if you're getting your green fingers stuck into growing new plants, herbs, and produce for your spring and summer pots and planters, beds, and borders. These houses - typically made of glass and wood or steel - are like a warm cosy blanket for your greenery, giving them enough light and warmth to grow without facing the tough UV rays or unpredictable British weather. Especially when it comes to those frosty winter months, these greenhouses can be a saviour to all of us gardeners. • Best entry-level greenhouse: Palram Harmony Polycarbonate Apex Greenhouse - View on B&Q The thing is though, there are so many choices of greenhouses out there. You can get one that is huge and barn-like or one tiny enough to fit a few plants. Which one's the best for you? Well, we've covered everything in our greenhouse guide below - including the best greenhouses you can buy right now.Best greenhouses at a glance:
• Best luxury greenhouse: Crane Garden Buildings Greenhouse - View on John Lewis
• Best barn greenhouse: Rion Grand Gardner Acrylic Barn Greenhouse - View on B&QBest greenhouses UK
Best hexagonal cover greenhouse
Amazon
Price:
£61.59
www.aosom.co.uk
Description
This hexagonal greenhouse makes it even easier to look after your plant family with spacious storage. It has a zippered roll-up door to make it easy to get in and out with more ventilation. The cover is UV resistant but allows sunlight to pass through, retaining the best light and heat for your plants.
Customer review: “It’s a great shape giving a real feeling of space inside. The structure seems sturdier than others I’ve had, again, I think, because of the shape. You still must take precautions to weigh down the cover as it blows completely off in a high wind, but the frame stood fast. I love it!”
Pros
- Portable
- Large capacity and great storage
- Shape gives easier access to your plants
Cons
- Take care to position it where the wind won't catch it
Best entry-level greenhouse
B&Q
Price:
£397
www.diy.com
Description
Looking for more for your money? This B&Q Palram greenhouse is a good all-around option if you want value for money with a sturdy frame. Great for beginners and green-fingers alike, this is an entry-level greenhouse made out of polycarbonate and is easy to assemble.
Customer review: "We wanted a small first greenhouse to go on our patio. This one had good reviews and seemed good value for money. Three of us worked to assemble it and it took about four hours. The instructions were easy to follow and the parts were well labelled. It all fit together well. It looks good on our patio and I'm looking forward to using it."
Pros
- Easy-to-follow instructions for assembly
- Fairly sturdy
- A great entry-level all-rounder
Cons
- A little difficult to assemble single-handed
Best luxury greenhouse
,%20Sage.png?auto=format&w=1440&q=80 "The best greenhouses to help your plants thrive all year round (13)")
John Lewis
Price:
£10,250
www.johnlewis.com
Description
If you're looking to splash out and buy a greenhouse that is stylish, sturdy and will last for years, then this Crane Garden Buildings greenhouse is the one for you. It's definitely at a higher price point but worth it for the glazed glass panels and Scandinavian Redwood build. Also available in white if you'd prefer.
Pros
- Made from high-quality materials
- It will be assembled for you
- Beautiful style fit for any modern garden
Cons
- Requires a solid, level concrete base to be laid before installation
Best low-price greenhouse
Description
Do you just want a greenhouse that does the job? This Kingfisher greenhouse is a fantastic option if you just want something that will support your plants in their growth. Made with a metal base and removable cover, this works for gardeners who want ease and value.
Customer review: "Bought this six months ago, after a busy growing season, I've been very happy with this - it's slimline but fits plenty of seed trays (although I've sacrificed the ground shelf to a heavy bag of compost, as these type of cold frames are prone to blowing over in the wind). The zip still works perfectly, joints have stayed intact, the item feels sturdy enough for the price. It also looks prettier than my other cold frames. A good buy."
Pros
- Budget option
- Ideal for balconies or small gardens
Cons
- Lightweight so needs weighing down
Best barn greenhouse
B&Q
Price:
£3,472
www.diy.com
Description
Planning to use a lot of space in a greenhouse? This Rion Grand acrylic greenhouse is barn-shaped with two doors, making it perfect to line your greenery with. You will have to grab a base with this separately if you need to.
Pros
- Enormous capacity
- Well-ventilated
Cons
- Assembly required
Best cathedral greenhouse
B&Q
Price:
£1,681
www.diy.com
Description
If you don't want something as large as the barn greenhouse, but still want a big greenhouse with multiple doors and windows, the cathedral greenhouse may be the one for you. It also has guttering included for low maintenance.
Customer review: "It's a great greenhouse but it says in the instruction that it will take half a day with two people for the build, I think I will give that a big question mark."
Pros
- Attractive shape
- Large capacity
- Good for medium-sized gardens
Cons
- Position in a sheltered spot to avoid damage from high winds
Best greenhouse for beginners
Argos
Price:
£380
www.argos.co.uk
Description
This compact greenhouse is big enough to fit all of your gardening plans but is small enough to fit your terraced garden or even a patio courtyard. The classic style has an aluminium frame and comes with clear polycarbonate glazing. The clear polycarbonate glazing roof panels aid insulation during winter and provide shade during summer.
Customer review: "Took two of us around four hours to put up, follow the instructions and you won’t have a problem. Disappointed it didn’t come with any shelving. We have bought free standing shelves and a little potting bench, which is a cheaper to buy shelving, than the actual ones that attach to the greenhouse. Very happy with it."
Pros
- Polycarbonate glazing is a good alternative to glass
- Competitively priced
- Classic, adjustable and virtually unbreakable
Cons
- Some reviews commented they had difficulty assembling the greenhouse
There are lots of elements to factor in when you want to start looking for a greenhouse. What size can you fit in your garden? How much can you afford? Do you want a static greenhouse or one that's easily covered and uncovered? With all of this in mind, there are a few different types of greenhouses you should look towards. Wooden or steel bases: Whereas steel bases are much easier to put together, wooden frames for greenhouses can look more traditional and maybe a more stylish choice - this will make them more expensive, though. Plastic-covered: Want ease and a cheaper choice? Plastic-covered greenhouses are a great option that often has zippers and is easily removed for a lower price. Shape: You'll have to think about the shape and size of your greenhouse. You can get traditional gable greenhouses easily, but lean-to options are often smaller and just as effective if you have a smaller garden. Then you have arching, cathedral, and barn greenhouses too, just to name a few. This all depends on what you're looking for in your greenhouse. This all depends on what materials you want, how many features you want and the choice of size for your greenhouse. Greenhouses can start anywhere from £30 to over £10,000 depending on what you buy and design, so there's a lot to think about. For instance, plastic, steel, and wooden frames can be cheaper if they're smaller in size, but they may not be as sturdy if you buy them so cheaply. On the other hand, you can spend lots of money on a specially designed greenhouse with doors and windows, but you may find this isn't necessary for your budget. We're all about the value you get for your money, so you'll want to do full research into what you're buying before you get it. Lots of garden centres and outdoor shops will have a great range of greenhouses. Of course, you can also get a great selection easily on Amazon. If you're looking for your greenhouse we recommend choosing a classic trusted shop like B&Q or Wickes. John Lewis also comes in handy for more expensive greenhouses that can be built for you and Aldi has some more affordable options as part of their garden special buys, which are only available to buy in-store. When choosing where to site your greenhouse, you need to consider various factors to make sure it's in the optimal place for plant growth. You might have an ideal space in mind, but it's worth considering the below: • Putting your greenhouse in a space that will be sheltered from high winds or storms. This is great for the long-term maintenance and structural integrity of your greenhouse • Position your greenhouse near a source of water or electricity. This is ideal for easy watering and providing additional heat in the cooler seasons if your sun exposure is limited • Make sure to build on level ground with good foundations. Building on a slope will create complications with pots potentially rolling off the inside staging! • Leave space around your greenhouse. This will make for an easier installation and make it easier to replace any broken panes later down the line. Best DIY tools for undertaking your garden projects Outdoor patio heaters to warm up a chilly alfresco evening Garden hammocks perfect for instant relaxation outdoorsFAQs
What type of greenhouse should I get?
How much to spend on a greenhouse?
Where can I buy a greenhouse?
Where should I position my greenhouse?
• Position your greenhouse in the sunniest part of your garden. This is paramount for getting the most out of your greenhouse. The best position for this would be to have your greenhouse south-facing where possible or, failing that, east side to maximise light during the winterWhat to read next:
Description
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Caitlin Caseyis a Senior Writer for Modern Gardens, heat, Closer, and Grazia. She covers shopping, women’s lifestyle, popular culture as well as all things trending.
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