What is a potting shed?
For even the more experienced of gardeners, knowing exactly what a potting shed is and how to use it properly can be somewhat elusive.
A potting shed combines the best parts of a standard garden shed and a greenhouse; it’s a practical garden building designed for growing plants, sowing seeds, potting on young plants, and storing all your gardening essentials – all while giving you a sheltered space to enjoy your hobby year-round.
What is a potting shed used for?
A potting shed is used primarily for an outdoor workspace for you to complete your gardening tasks. Unlike a standard shed, a potting shed has been designed with growing and planting in mind.
Typically, a potting shed will feature:
Large windows that maximise sunlight
Shelving for seed trays and young plants
A space for storing your gardening essentials like pots, compost, and tools
A work bench or potting table
Some potting sheds also include a greenhouse-style windows that help create a warmer environment for your plants to thrive.
For keen gardeners, having a dedicated place to work can make seasonal planting so much easier throughout the year.
What is the difference between a potting shed and a greenhouse?
Potting sheds and greenhouses are both great garden fixtures that can help you on your growing journey.
A greenhouse is built mainly for growing plants, which you can do year-round, and is usually made from entirely from glass which helps trap heat and humidity to create an ideal growing environment for crops, seedlings, flowers, and tender plants to thrive.
You can also get smaller grow houses made from plastic, more ideal for urban growers or for those with a more compact space.
However, a potting shed combines a similar growing space with practical storage and a comfortable workspace. They still allow plenty of natural light through the windows, it’s more enclosed than a greenhouse and is used to be a multi-functional space, rather than just a growing one.
Potting sheds are typically better for gardeners who want somewhere to work comfortably, store tools and compost, or start seedlings and growing projects all in one place. It offers a great balance between practicality and a growing space, especially for those who want a combination of storage and a room to enjoy your gardening hobby throughout the year.
Can you use a potting shed as a greenhouse?
Yes, you can use a potting shed as a greenhouse, even more so in the warmer months of spring and summer. As potting sheds usually include large windows, they allow in plenty of natural sunlight to support seed germination and healthy plant growth.
However, it’s important to remember that a traditional greenhouse is designed specifically to trap heat and maintain humidity, whereas a potting shed is often better ventilated and insulated like a regular shed.
This means a potting shed may not reach the same temperatures as a greenhouse unless you add extra insulation or heating.
What are the benefits of a potting shed?
There are many reasons why you might choose a potting shed over a greenhouse or traditional shed.
More practical growing space: a potting shed gives you somewhere comfortable to sow seeds, repot plants, and organise your gardening supplies without needing to work outdoors in poor weather.
Combines storage and growing: instead of needing both a shed and a greenhouse, a potting shed combines the best parts of both, which is ideal if you’re working with a more compact gardening space.
Extends your growing season: the extra shelter and warmth can help you start planting earlier in spring and protect your delicate plants later into autumn.
Keeps your garden organised: shelving, storage hooks, and work surfaces makes it much easier to keep compost, pots, and tools tidy.
Where is the best place to put a potting shed?
Choosing the right location for your potting shed is important, especially if you plan on using it to grow plants. You should position your shed somewhere that gets plenty of natural sunlight throughout the day, such as a south-east-facing position.
We’d recommend also building the potting shed somewhere with easy access to water, has shelter from strong winds, has good drainage, and has enough surrounding support for ventilation if needed.
Be sure to check if you need planning permission before starting, too.
What can you grow in a potting shed?
There are many crops and plants you can grow in a potting shed, such as:
Herbs like basil, parsley, and coriander
Salad leaves and spinach
Tomatoes and chilli peppers
Seedlings and young plants
Flowers and hanging basket displays
Strawberries and soft fruit plants
Where can I find potting sheds for sale in the UK?
Here at Dobbies we have a wide range of garden sheds of all sizes available for home delivery, perfect for those who are looking for somewhere practical to work and want somewhere that protects their plants throughout the seasons.
Whether you’re growing fruit and veg, nurturing flowers, or simply looking for a peaceful spot to enjoy your garden, a potting shed offers the best of both words.