Value Lean To Mini Greenhouses

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are your Lean to Mini greenhouses made of?

  Our framework of our Value Mini greenhouses are constructed in the UK from architectural-grade aluminium that comes with a 25-year guarantee.

  The Value Mini greenhouses are glazed in 3mm toughened safety glass – this is the same thickness as traditional horticultural glass, but the toughening process makes it about 7x stronger. If it breaks, for safety, it shatters into tiny pieces rather like a car window.

• Is a Mini greenhouse the same as a greenhouse?

  Usually, Mini greenhouses are just smaller versions of regular greenhouses. So Mini greenhouses, obviously, take up less space. The built-in shelving system makes this space as versatile as possible. The same plants can be grown in both, but with a Mini greenhouse you would choose more compact varieties.

• What’s the difference between your Classic and Value Mini greenhouses?

  Our Value lean to Mini greenhouses have been introduced to provide a good quality frame at a competitive price. Although built to the same exacting standards as our classic garden Growhouses, Value models do not have the additional extras.

  Our Value Growhouses still have toughened safety glass, but it’s standard 3mm horticultural thickness, rather than the 4mm of the Classic range. The sliding door handles are shorter on the Value range and they do not have corner trims to secure the doors and prevent draughts when the doors are closed.

  The Value Range does not have a watering system, or staging on the taller models – although these can be added as optional extras.

  The shelves use round bars and there are fewer bars per shelf, making the Value shelves ideal for plug plants and bringing on seedlings, but less suitable for heavy pots.

• What is the easiest thing to grow in a Mini greenhouse?

  If you are new to gardening, it is much easier to grow with a Mini greenhouse that without one, so if you have tired gardening and have had good results, you will be even better with the protection of a lean to Mini greenhouse.

  A good starter for new gardeners are salad crops, as they are quick and easy to grow – especially plants such as radishes.

  Particularly well-suited to greenhouse growing in spring and summer are tomatoes, peppers and aubergines, which will thrive in the warmth. Courgettes, cucumbers and squashes also work well.

  If you’re looking to extend your growing seasons beyond summer, and even into winter, hardy plants which need a cooler temperature can easily be cultivated in a Growhouse. So carrots, onions, kale, cabbage and broccoli will all be ideal.

  For more information, check out our blog “What to Grow in a Small Greenhouse“

• Do I need planning permission for Mini greenhouses?

  Due to their small size, and the fact that they can be classed as a temporary structure, it is highly unlikely that your garden Mini greenhouse will require planning permission.

  However, as regulations differ from council to council, you may want to contact your local authority for full clarification.

• Why don't you glaze your Mini greenhouse in plastic

  Although plastics and acrylic glazing have come a long way, they are still not as good as glass in terms of light transmission and scratch resistance.

  Glass also traps heat from the sun – the greenhouse effect, better than plastic. This is especially noticeable early in the season when the sun is week.

  Glass is also heavy and rigid, giving the mini greenhouse excellent wind resistance in stormy conditions. Plastic sheets will flex in the wind and blow out of the frame more easily.

  The toughening process makes the glass sheets stronger and safer, ensuring there are no large shards if the glass is broken.