If you're a keen gardener, you'll know how transformative a greenhouse can be. Not only does it help you control the growth of your seedlings and improve plant health, but it keeps pests out – and it offers valuable storage space, too.
You'll likely also be familiar, however, with the cost of a traditional greenhouse, and you'll know that they don't come cheap. Budget options can feel like a risk, but I've spotted one that's too good to gatekeep: ALDI's Gardenline Walk-In Greenhouse, which you can buy for $29.99.
Crafted from mesh instead of glass, this is a brilliant greenhouse idea if you want to section off your garden without committing to a more permanent solution. It's lightweight and portable, but it's large enough to fill with plants and even gardening tools, if you're short on storage space.
Featuring vertical shelves, a mesh cover, and a roll-up doorway, this walk-in greenhouse is the perfect way to expand your growing space without breaking the bank.
Why Choose a Portable Greenhouse
Greenhouses will always help you experiment with gardening, but it isn't always possible to install a traditional greenhouse.
Perhaps you don't have the space, or you know you're likely to move around, making a brick-and-mortal building seem like a questionable addition to your yard.
Portable greenhouses can provide the perfect solution: although they don't trap heat like glass greenhouses do, they still offer the opportunity to grow so many more plants, protect your precious seedlings, and even store a few gardening essentials in a sheltered spot.
'I love my walk-in portable greenhouse,' says Tenielle Jordison, Gardens Content Editor at Homes & Gardens. 'It’s ideal for my rental property, much more affordable than permanent solutions, and has given me so many more possibilities for growing.'
With a walk-in option like ALDI's, you can ensure that you're adding plenty of glorious plants to your garden, with enough shelf space for pots, tools and planters, too.
The structure will help to zone your yard and create a controlled environment for your seedlings to thrive.
The Hidden Benefits of a Greenhouse
Just as important as these growing conditions is the storage space that a greenhouse provides. Even mini greenhouses and portable options like ALDI's are kitted out with plenty of shelves, allowing you to expand the scope of your garden without sacrificing valuable floor space.
'The shelves on either side of my greenhouse have been a huge help, allowing me to maximize vertical space in my garden,' says Tenielle.
'The metal poles are impressively sturdy; I've secured mine in place with garden hooks.' (Galvanized landscape staples, like this pack from Amazon, will do the trick.)
A portable greenhouse functions much the same way as a regular greenhouse; although it's not quite as weatherproof, it's still a hugely effective solution if you're keen to shelter your plants from harsh weather and protect them from rodents and birds.
'I use mine to start seeds early, protect tender plants from frost in winter, and keep pests out,' says Tenielle. 'It’s easy to keep ventilated, I just make sure to open the door and windows regularly.'
If you're planning a greenhouse but you're not sure where to start, remember to create an effective partition between the greenhouse and the rest of your yard. This will keep the ground clear and reduce the risk of obstruction from weeds.
'If you're placing it on your lawn, put down a weed barrier and bark chip,; advises Tenielle. 'This will essentially create a "floor" to stop weeds growing through.' You can find heavy-duty weed barrier fabric from Amazon and pine bark mulch nuggets at Walmart.
What to Shop
Instead of mesh, this mini greenhouse has a durable PVC cover. It isn't quite as spacious as ALDI's, but it still features an impressive set of shelves.
Want to improve ventilation in your greenhouse? It's worth investing in a clip-on grow tent fan like this one. It offers 10 different wind modes.
Since greenhouses create an artificial climate, you'll need to adjust the soil type in your containers – a lighter, well-draining mix like this one is crucial.
Greenhouses are a brilliant idea, but it can take a little while to create the perfect setup. To ensure that yours is as helpful as possible, we asked experts about the most common greenhouse mistakes – and how to avoid them.
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