SPECIAL SECTION: OUTDOOR & GARDEN
ANAT ART / STOCK. ADOBE. COM
KONSTANTIN YUGANOV / STOCK. ADOBE. COM constructing any sort of base. When it comes to flooring, keep in mind who will have access to the greenhouse. Do they use a wheelchair or have other mobility needs? If so, choose flooring that is flat, firm and smooth. Many greenhouses have ground-level growing beds, with gravel, compacted soil or paving in between to make tending the beds easier to access and allow water to drain away.“ Bricks or concrete create humidity, so it may not be the best choice,” says Britton.
Make your space more efficient by dividing it into four practical zones – potting, plant, storage and waste, including compost.
Situate compost areas near the exit for easy disposal. Use benches or tables for growing plants in the area where they have optimum sunlight, ideally along a north or north-east facing wall. Water access – taps or rain barrels – should be located nearby to avoid carrying buckets or having a hose running across the floor, presenting a potential trip hazard.
Don’ t forget to use that oft-neglected vertical space. Hanging plants can be grown on hooks, and trellises or tiered shelves are useful for small tool storage. Grow taller plants against walls. Smaller or shorter plants can be left on potting tables and benches once the growing season is well underway.
Folding benches can shade tender crops and offer potting space. Use the area under benches and tables to stow potting soil, unused pots and garden tools that should be stored out of the sun’ s UV rays.
Rosie Wolf Williams is an international reporter for the Connection. She is based in the United States.
TYPES OF GREENHOUSES
The three most popular and useful greenhouses for gardeners and hobbyists are freestanding greenhouses, cold frames and lean-to or attached greenhouses. Freestanding greenhouses have four walls and stand on their own. They are usually large enough for a gardener to stand and work inside. Cold frames are typically bottomless boxes with hinged lids that are placed over the ground to protect plants from low temperatures or help plants build up resistance to outside temperatures. Lean-to, or attached greenhouses, are placed against an existing wall and have access to sunlight from the other three sides.
COSTCO CONNECTION
Find a wide range of high-quality greenhouses from leading brands on Costco. com. au.
COSTCO CONNECTION MAY / JUNE 2025 | 31