What is a potting shed?
Traditionally, in days gone by when grand estates and kitchen gardens were aplenty, a potting shed was where gardeners would work, planning the garden, taking cuttings, potting plants and sowing seeds. They would take breaks in the potting shed, shelter in it from bad weather, and use it for storing tools and accessories. Today, a potting shed is still used in the same way but they are no longer confined to grand houses, with many of us enjoying growing our own plants, fruit and vegetables.
What’s the difference between a potting shed and a greenhouse?
A greenhouse is a place for plants to grow protected from environmental factors, and is constructed entirely from glass panes, allowing maximum light to penetrate the interior. Potting sheds are used to cultivate plants as well, but are also used for storage. They are generally constructed from wood with a windowed section. They also have a dedicated area for working with an integral work station or bench.
How do I choose a potting shed?
When considering a potting shed, it’s important to think about the following:
Seedlings and plants need good light, so make sure the windows are large enough to let light in, and ensure there will be sufficient ventilation to maintain a good temperature.
Is there a bench? And is it correctly positioned at a height that will be comfortable for you to stand and work?
Will you have enough space to store bulky items such as bags of compost? Many gardeners keep soil under the counter but also want to be able to store items such as pots, tools and wheelbarrows; the potting shed should be large enough to accommodate what you want to store.
Many people use their potting shed as a bolt hole away from the world, somewhere they can retreat to for some ‘me time’, so having enough space for a chair may be important to you.
You may be storing expensive electrical equipment such as lawnmowers and garden strimmers in the potting shed, so make sure it can be locked securely.
The benefits of a potting shed
A potting shed is the perfect combination of a garden shed and a greenhouse and is ideal for gardens where there isn’t enough space for both. Offering optimum conditions for sowing and germinating seeds, a potting shed will also save your indoor windowsills from all those seed trays!
Greenhouses can be equipped with low level shelving but their glass construction makes it hard to install tall shelves. A wooden potting shed however, offers wall space which can be used for tall shelves and for hanging hooks for trowels etc.
While greenhouses, with their glass panes, yield great results in the spring and summer, the wooden sides of a potting shed will allow you to work on into the autumn and winter, prolonging your planting season. Potting sheds also protect vulnerable and delicate plants and are a great solution for overwintering plants.
Finally, don’t underestimate the benefit of your potting shed providing a place for you to relax with a cup of tea and your seed catalogues!
Does a potting shed need to be in the sun?
As many wooden potting sheds have glazing on one side only, your potting shed should be positioned so the windows face south. This will allow plants and seedling to get maximum light exposure with enough sunlight to grow. Positioning a potting shed up against a garden wall will offer it some protection against exposed or windy conditions and help with retaining heat too.
At Witham Timber, our wooden potting sheds feature fixed and opening styrene glazed windows and have integral potting benches. They can be padlocked securely (padlock not included) and are supplied with mineral roofing felt. Our current selection of potting sheds can be seen here.