Small-space gardening: The rise of patio glasshouses and what to grow
There are plenty of ways to enhance even the tiniest outdoor space without sacrificing growing your own produce. Over the last year, patio glasshouses have surged in popularity, proving you can have your own thriving miniature greenery regardless of space constraints.
Perfect for balconies, terraces, and roof gardens, these compact greenhouses offer an elegant solution for year-round gardening. They protect plants from the elements (and wildlife who might be tempted to nibble them).
Hartley Botanic has experienced a significant increase in sales of its compact patio glasshouse this year; numbers have more than doubled compared to the same period in 2023.
Ideal for city dwellers and downsizers, a patio glasshouse is designed to fit seamlessly into smaller outdoor spaces, and it offers a controlled environment for growing herbs and vegetables, even during the chilly winter months.
‘This year’s significant rise in patio glasshouse sales highlights a growing desire among city dwellers and those with compact gardens to do more,’ explains Tom Barry, CEO of Hartley Botanic. 'As people become more interested in growing their own produce, particularly in urban settings, patio glasshouses provide the opportunity to grow year-round, no matter the available space.'
Aside from growing crops, compact greenhouses are also useful for bringing on seedlings and hardening off tender plants. Here are some expert tips on how to maximise use with a patio glasshouse:
1. Herbs
Herbs will thrive in a patio glasshouse, growing quickly and tenderly in pots with free-draining compost. Basil, parsley, mint, and chives are perfect for this. Ensure Mediterranean herbs like rosemary and thyme have sunlight and good drainage. During cooler months, the glasshouse protection will keep herbs fresh and productive year-round.
2. Microgreens
Microgreens – young sprouts of herbs and leafy plants like radish, rocket and pea shoots – are ideal for a compact glasshouse as they germinate quickly. Use shallow trays with moist compost, mist lightly, and harvest within 7–21 days. Sow weekly for a continuous, nutritious crop perfect for adding to dishes.
3. Plug Plants
'Plug plants are more cost-effective than buying fully grown plants, and easier to manage than growing plants from seed,' say the experts at Hartley Botanic. 'Common plug plants include bedding plants (such as petunias).'
Start by standing them in water to moisten the compost, and put them in the glasshouse to settle for up to 24 hours – they need warmth and light. Then pot them in 3-inch containers with peat-free multipurpose compost and water with tepid water. 'Standard plugs require potting for about a month of growth before hardening off and planting out,' they explain.
4. Forcing Bulbs
You can force bulbs like daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths in a small glasshouse. Simply plant the bulbs in pots with moist, peat-free compost and keep them in a cool, dark place. Bring them into the glasshouse once you are ready to start their growth. You'll need to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Once flowering is complete, move the bulbs outdoors for natural blooming next year.
5. Seedlings
'Bringing on seedlings in a glasshouse provides a controlled environment that encourages strong and healthy plants ready for planting outdoors,' say the team at Hartley Botanic. Before planting, water the soil with tepid water and leave to drain for an hour. Sow seeds on top and cover with a fine layer of compost to about twice the depth of the seed. Remember, if sowing in trays, sow thinly to reduce competition and make transplanting easier.
Cover seed trays with clear plastic domes or a clear polythene bag to maintain humidity during germination, but remove these once seedlings emerge. Once true leaves appear, it's time to pot on (lift gently with a dibber and handle by the leaves, not the stem, to avoid damage) and feed with diluted fertiliser. Fertilise every 1–2 weeks and gradually acclimatise seedlings to outdoor conditions to harden them off.
And remember, hardening off young plants is crucial
Using a glasshouse for hardening off is an effective way to transition young or tender plants from indoor conditions to the outdoors, protecting them from environmental shocks. Start controlling the temperature and humidity in the glasshouse 1-2 weeks before hardening off. Start with a short exposure to outdoor conditions and increase the duration each day. At night, the glasshouse offers safe shelter during this process, ensuring strong, healthy plants are ready for outdoor life.
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