Best Size Greenhouse For My Garden (2024)

Greenhouse Dimensions

Greenhouse dimensions are usually quoted as nominal sizes in feet and inches, with most increasing in length or width in increments of 2ft. It is important when ordering a greenhouse to ask for confirmation of the greenhouse size so that you can check you have the correct sized space to accommodate the greenhouse.

Which Is The Best Size Greenhouse For The Space Available

The overriding factor when it comes to greenhouse size is the space you have available. Ideally fill the space as much as possible - going for the biggest greenhouse you can accommodate.

The space you have available will effect the style of greenhouse you can accommodate. If you have lots of space a free standing greenhouse is the right choice.

If you have limited space then a lean-to greenhouse might be a possible alternative.

However, other factors can play a part in selecting the best size of greenhouse for your garden, as outlined next.

What Is The Best Size Greenhouse For What You Grow

What you intend to grow in your greenhouse will affect the size of greenhouse you need.

You need space for your plants to grow - this could be growing direct from the ground your greenhouse is sited on. Or you could be growing using growbags, large pots or on the top of benches. Or a combination of any of these methods.

If you intend to raise plants from seeds then you'll need to be able to stand comfortably within your greenhouse and have some working space where you can store your tools and bags of compost as you sow, propagate and pot-on.

And don't forget that you need to be able to reach the back of your greenhouse, so will need a space down the centre of your greenhouse.

Best Size Greenhouse For My Garden - The Most Popular Size Of Greenhouse

Smaller greenhouses than this are available and when space is at a premium a Compact Greenhouse may be the only option.

If this is the case try to make the best use of the working and growing space within - order narrow staging or purchase custom built staging to fit exactly in place without wasting space.

Best Size Greenhouse For My Garden -The Height Of The Greenhouse Is Important

The height is important as the taller the greenhouse is, the better the lights transmission.

Ideally choose a greenhouse where the eaves are at least 5ft (1.5m), if possible 6ft (1.8m) or more (as recommended by the RHS). The greenhouse ridge should be at least 2ft (60cm) above the eaves height. This ratio allows a door to be fitted for easy access and also creates a slope in the roof which reduces heat loss and diverts water off the roof.

Your greenhouse should also have sufficient headroom so that you will be comfortable working within it - ideally no less than 1ft (30cm) clearance between you and the greenhouse roof.

Taller greenhouses are also invaluable when it comes to some greenhouse crops - such as tomatoes, cucumbers etc. - which are happy to grow up to the greenhouse roof if they can.

Width Versus Length Of The Greenhouse

You might also want to consider whether you want a wide but short greenhouse or a long, but narrow greenhouse.

Wider greenhouses provide more space to grow as the path takes up less space - however, depending on what you grow, this space might not be practical.For example, if you want staging within your greenhouse then you need to make sure you will be able to reach across the width of it to care for your plants. However, wide spaces are better when raising crops in growbags.

Economy Of Scale

When buying a greenhouse the price per square foot will be lass as the greenhouse becomes bigger. Buying a small greenhouse now, intending to extend it later could be more costly than just buying the larger greenhouse now.