Potting Sheds & Green Houses
For those of us into gardening having a good potting shed is like having a favorite trowel, you can’t get much done without one, or it certainly isn’t as much fun. We’d like to discuss the advantages of having a good potting shed and/or greenhouse and hopefully get some feedback on what makes yours unique - be it from a overall design standpoint, or what you’ve done with the interior.
Anyone that spends time gardening appreciates having a dedicated space, be it for starting seedlings, hanging the garden hose, or for storing tools. Whatever your primary use is for your potting shed, the potting shed is a required element of any good garden.
Some of us may have a greenhouse as well as a potting shed. Sometimes the two structures can be separate buildings, or as I prefer it, with the greenhouse is attached to the potting shed. This provides easy access to tools, and other items you’re going to be using in the greenhouse, but frees up space and keeps things organized.
While greenhouses are normally used to grow plants while potting sheds are used to pot seedlings, and store tools - the two structures are often confused. I suppose it’s because newer potting shed designs, with their large functional windows and a skylight or two they can often be used a greenhouse. If you’re going to be using your potting shed as a greenhouse then make sure it’s 100% cedar construction. As we all know, high humidity is required and if your shed is made from pine or other wood, it’ll wind up falling to bits due to wood rot.
Interior elements of a good potting shed will include the central and ever important potting bench. Make sure you get something sturdy that’s going to last and stand up to the rigors of a working bench. You’ll also want to make sure that it’s got space for storage, be it overhead shelving, under bench cabinetry or a combination of the two. This space is useful for storage of seeds, and other items you’ll want handy when you’re working.
Hooks and other hanging devices are also extremely useful in your potting shed. Hanging tools such as spades, rakes, and other items frees up floor and shelf space and looks good too.
If you’re not able to run electricity to your potting shed then use a car battery wired up to lights, or battery powered lanterns. If you’re as passionate about gardening as many of us are, you’re going to need the ability to keep on working after the sun goes down.
To keep the shed and garden house warm get a couple old wooden barrels, paint them black and fill them with water. The water will warm up in the sunshine and radiate this heat at night.
Another vitally important items for your shed are bins located in a convenient location for storing compost, and custom soil mixes.
You can use large Rubbermaid containers, but I prefer the look of something made from wood - cedar in particular. If you get something built in, just make sure it’s going to be easy to access when you’re working at your potting bench. I use the plastic containers inside the wooden bins so it keeps things clean, but looks great too.
Greenhouse options include such items as heaters, shelving and plant hangers, rain gutters, shade nets, solar lights, windows and vents, and window openers.
Heaters help keep delicate plants and flowers from being damaged due to cold weather.
Shelving and plant hangers are used to spread your plants and flowers out and provide proper air circulation and sun shine.
Rain gutters can be installed to trap and collect rain water, much better for growth then tap water.
Shade nets are used in hot climates to prevent damage to plants when temperatures exceed 95 degrees.
Solar lights can easily be installed to provide light after the sun goes down so you don’t have to stop working - they’re easy to install and relatively inexpensive.
Window vents, and window openers help regulate the temperature inside the green house and provide air circulation. Available as louvered or opening designs they can also be outfitted with a special hydraulic opener that automatically opens the window when the temperature exceeds a specified limit.
Have some great ideas you’d like to share with others? Simply click the leave comment link and let us know what you’ve done to your potting shed or green house that’s made your gardening experience more enjoyable.
Tags: cedar construction, combination of the two, design standpoint, functional windows, garden hose, green house, green houses, greenhouse, greenhouses, high humidity, interior elements, potting bench, potting potting s, potting shed, potting sheds, rigors, seedlings, shed, shed designs, sheds, skylight, store tools, trowel, wood rot, working bench