Having a well laid out greenhouse can make growing plants much more simple. Here is how to layout a greenhouse for efficiency and plant health.

Having your own hobby greenhouse opens the possibilities of what you can grow. I grow tropical plants in a climate that has very short growing seasons.
I also use my greenhouse to start all of my seedlings. In early spring my greenhouse is a revolving door of plants going in and out!
With the constant movement of plants, having a good layout is essential. Here is how I layout my greenhouse with efficiency and plants in mind.
Be Mindful of Sunlight
One of the most important things that all plants need is sunlight. If a plant doesn't get enough sunlight or gets too much sunlight it will suffer.

Inside my greenhouse I have my shelving located on the north side of my greenhouse. When the sun is low during winter, and spring, all the plants in my greenhouse still get the southern sun.
I also have a thinner and taller shelf that can hold plants without shading my seedlings on the bench top. Layout your greenhouse so that no plants are totally in shade.

You Will Need storage
Storage is really important in a greenhouse. Tools, pots, fertilizer, soil, all these things need to be stored somewhere.
I store some of this under my greenhouse table where plants don't grow well. This is a great spot to put soil and watering cans.

I have found that with all the sunlight in my greenhouse it is not a good idea to leave tools out. They become sun-faded and break down.
I now have a greenhouse cabinet where I store all my tools, pots, and fertilizer. I got a little cabinet at a garage sale and I love it!

Having an area out of the sun where you can store items is a must.
Have An Area For A Heater
My greenhouse stays warm during the day because of the sunlight, but I have to heat it at night. You can learn how I heat my greenhouse affordably here.
I use an oscillating electric heater, so I need a clear space for it to work. I place this heater in one corner of my greenhouse.

For safety reasons, I do not place anything close to this heater. Plants should also not have hot, dry air blowing on them.
I keep my plants about three feet from my heater and with this set up everything stays healthy. Make sure to have a plan to heat your greenhouse.
Plants Need Growing Space
If you want to grow tall plants in your greenhouse make sure to plan for enough space. This is one reason I only have a shelf on one side of my greenhouse.

The other side of my greenhouse I reserve for growing taller plants. I actually place a trellis in the back of my greenhouse for growing vines like luffa gourds.
Have A Work Flow
If you are constantly starting new plants, watering them, and then moving them out to the garden, establish a work flow in your greenhouse.

On one end of the greenhouse (far from the door) you can have your seed starting area. On the other end of the greenhouse (near the door) you can have all your seedlings that are ready to plant.
This can make it easier to keep track of all your seedlings without constant shuffling.
Conclusion
Having a well laid out greenhouse can make growing plants less stressful and more fun. This year don't forget to plan out your greenhouse before you start growing!
Pin This!






maggie says
Enjoyed your greenhouse article. Can you write an article on how to keep rodents out of the greenhouse without using poison of any kind?
Josiah says
Hello Maggie,
I am glad you enjoyed this article! I have not had issues with rodents in my greenhouse, but that definitely would be a nuisance. I would first find their entry points, and block those. If they are digging and coming underneath, I would put down chicken wire or netting under the soil. For any rodent's left in the greenhouse, I would use traps to catch them. I really think sealing up all entry points is your best course of action. Happy gardening!
Ken says
If you put shelving on the north side, where would you then put 55 gal black barrels filled with water to use as heat sinks in the winter? They say to put them on the north side.
Josiah says
Hello Ken,
I have placed them under the shelves before. Just make sure to build your shelves high enough to fit the barrels under. Since heat rises, this is the perfect place to put them.
Happy Gardening!