Recent years have seen a surge in people growing their own fruit and veg. It’s a more sustainable way to stock your kitchen, often cheaper than buying organic, and incredibly rewarding. After all, few things beat the taste of a juicy tomato you’ve grown with your own hands.
Short on Space? Think Again
You don’t need a large garden to get started. Portable greenhouses are an ideal solution for patios, courtyards, and compact outdoor spaces. Even in bigger gardens, they’re perfect for nurturing seedlings before transferring them to larger pots, beds, or borders.
What is a Portable Greenhouse?
Portable greenhouses are smaller and lighter than traditional glass models. They typically feature a tubular steel frame with a protective cover that fits over the top. Easy to assemble and disassemble, they’re designed to maximise sunlight while protecting plants from pests and the elements.
Using a Portable Greenhouse
Portable greenhouses are most commonly used in summer to grow crops like tomatoes and cucumbers. They’re also useful in spring for hardening off seedlings before planting outdoors. However, they’re not built for harsh weather, so it’s best to pack them away from late autumn through winter.
Spring
Set up your greenhouse from late March to early April as temperatures begin to rise. Choose a sunny, sheltered spot to give young plants the best start. For best results, germinate seeds indoors first, then move seedlings into your greenhouse once established.
Summer
Keep a close eye on the temperature during warmer months to prevent plants from overheating. Open the door on hot days to improve airflow and ventilation. For humidity-loving crops like chillies and peppers, lightly mist the interior to maintain ideal growing conditions.
Autumn
As temperatures drop, a portable greenhouse helps extend the growing season by keeping plants warmer and protected. It also allows them to make the most of available sunlight. We recommend packing your greenhouse away in October before stronger winds and frost set in.
Winter
Your greenhouse should be stored safely in a shed or garage over winter to avoid damage. If you’re keen to keep growing during winter, consider a cold frame greenhouse instead. It’s a sturdier option for year-round use and ideal for hardier crops during the colder months
Types of Greenhouse
Mini Greenhouses
Mini greenhouses are perfect for beginners and compact spaces like patios or balconies. Shelves allow you to grow multiple plants in pots, while removing them creates space for taller plants like tomatoes. Choose from three or four-shelf options, with either a PVC or reinforced PE cover.
Walk-In Greenhouses
Walk-in greenhouses offer more growing space and room to stand while tending plants. Ideal for larger gardens, they can be secured to the ground for added wind resistance. This also makes them suitable for creating beds for crops like cabbages. Available in 4-shelf and 8-shelf designs.
Tomato Greenhouses
Tomato growhouses are designed without shelves to accommodate taller plants. They’re ideal for use with grow bags, helping plants develop stronger roots and healthier crops. Built-in eyelets allow you to secure canes for support. Available in single or double sizes, both with reinforced PE covers.
Garden Growhouses
Garden growhouses let you switch easily between a greenhouse and growhouse setup. Use the shelves for seedlings or remove them for taller plants. They also feature space for grow bags, side eyelets for support canes, and a PE cover with peg points and guy-lines for added wind resistance.
Greenhouse Covers
If your greenhouse cover becomes damaged, there’s no need to replace the entire unit. Replacement covers are available for small and walk-in models. Each cover includes ties for secure fitting and a zipped door that can be rolled up for easy access.
PE Covers
PE covers provide the same benefits as PVC but with added strength and UV resistance. A mesh layer between two sheets of polyethylene increases durability while allowing plants to absorb essential light. Our covers use white mesh instead of green to maximise healthy plant growth.
Fleece Covers
Fleece covers offer extra insulation, helping to protect plants from colder temperatures. They’re ideal for starting seedlings earlier in spring and extending growing into autumn. Designed to withstand temperatures as low as -8°C, they’re available in sizes to fit three and four-shelf greenhouses.
Find Your Perfect Greenhouse
Whether you're a beginner or a seasoned grower, a portable greenhouse is a simple way to make the most of your growing space all year round. For a side-by-side breakdown, read our greenhouse comparison guide.
