Kitting out your new greenhouse

As we've mentioned before on Shedworking, greenhouses can be used as part of a garden office lifestyle. Cheshire-based family-run White Cottage Greenhouses have been in touch with some suggestions about important details to consider when setting up your greenhouse space (pictured above is its Arley model):

Cedar staging and shelving
 
Having a decent area to work and display your plants and crops is essential in any kind of greenhouse whether it’s a working house or used more for entertaining and relaxing. Staging, at table height, is needed to allow you to easily work with and display your plants. Shelving can help you to maximise the space in your greenhouse and is specifically needed for trailing species. Using staging and shelving of different levels also enhances the beauty of your greenhouse. Plants are elevated and precious species can be seen and displayed clearly.

Shading and climate control
 
Shades and blinds help to regulate the temperature and light levels inside a greenhouse and prevent plants being burnt by intense sunlight or affected by harmful UV rays.

Lighting
 
As well as lighting the interior for working, artificial light in a greenhouse helps with plant growth. Artificial light can support plants when natural sunlight is insufficient. This can extend daylight hours, improve plant productivity, and help enable year-round production.

Window boards
 
Used to cover the top surface of the brickwork inside the greenhouse, window boards create attractive internal windowsills. A beautiful design detail in their own right, window boards also provide an extra surface for small pots, accessories or tools.

Floor grates
 
Cast-iron floor grates add a beautiful period design detail to greenhouse floors. They also serve a number of useful functions. Floor grates (if placed over a drainage channel) improve drainage, enhance ventilation, and help maintain cleanliness by preventing water buildup and allowing dirt to be swept away.

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Glasshouse and greenhouse 2023 predictions

We've talked recently about keeping more of an eye out on greenhouse-based shedworking so we thought we'd ask Lancashire-based Hartley Botanic what it expects will be the biggest glasshouse and greenhouse trends for 2023:

 

1. A RETURN TO A TRADITIONAL AESTHETIC

Last year, they reported a trend in customers choosing to powder coat their greenhouses in modern shades of black and manganese graphite to make dramatic, contemporary statements - they were increasingly looking for minimalist structures. For 2023, Hartley Botanic is predicting that customers will be returning to more classic colours and designs when it comes to styles, with the majority of people choosing a traditional aesthetic. It is also predicting that customers will opt for more traditional, classic colours such as olive leaf and forest green, and white may be making a comeback.

 

2. DESIGNER GARDENS, DESIGNER GREENHOUSES

Over the last few years there has been a renewed focus and investment by homeowners in their outdoor spaces and this is now extending into greenhouse and glasshouse purchases. Increasingly, customers are choosing them as grand centrepieces to complete beautifully designed garden spaces and are also taking the customisation of their greenhouses to the next level, adding in unique features and customising them with highly personal touches. Tom Barry, CEO of Hartley Botanic, said: “There is an uplift in demand for increasingly grand and personal gardens spaces. Customers are getting even more creative about how they use and enjoy their greenhouses and they are being planned into large scale landscaping projects. The appetite to upgrade our gardens shows no sign of slowing down.”

 

3. GREENHOUSES FOR WELLBEING & RELAXATION

A theme Hartley Botanic referenced in its 2022 RHS tradestands as we reported earlier in the year, 2023 will be all about using them for wellbeing and relaxation. In 2023, Hartley Botanic expects to see more customers curating the interiors of their greenhouse spaces so they function as havens of calm and relaxation. This will include investing more time and energy into how they are organised and what accessories are selected, or left out. At Chelsea, Hampton Court and Tatton Park RHS shows, Hartley Botanic demonstrated this with structures which were paired back in terms of furniture and featured design elements carefully curated to exude order and tranquility, rather than clutter.

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Mixed-use greenhouses a growing trend for 2024

Historic greenhouse manufacturer Hartley Botanic has released its annual New Year crystal ball predictions for the next 12 months. Of particular interest to readers of Shedworking is its suggestion that  many people will continue to treat and enjoy their greenhouse as a versatile, mixed-use space. 

"The majority of Hartley Botanic’s customers do still prioritise a greenhouse for traditional horticultural purposes, such as growing and overwintering tender plants," said a spokesperson. "However, many customers, who are still serious gardeners, use their greenhouses in a more multifaceted way, working ‘relaxation’, ‘dining’ and ‘lifestyle’ elements into their greenhouse use. Although single-glazed, a Greenhouse still offers some outdoor shelter from changeable weather conditions."

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Spaceplates greenhouse

Those of you with good memories will recall the extraordinary walking shed designed by N55. Suzanne Heath from design consultancy Ginkgo has been in touch about one of their projects for the South Bristol Skills Academy called The Spaceplates Greenhouse which has been commissioned from N55. It's an interesting shedworking atmosphere, an aluminium and polycarbonate greenhouse used for teaching but with an intriguing design. Here's what they say about it:

"The design of the greenhouse originates from the 'pure plate' structure which occurs in natural structures such as sea urchins, which are based on a hexagonal geometry. The pure plate structure is an elegant way of creating doubly-curved forms. Unlike in the lattice structures that are frequently used in much contemporary architecture, in pure plate structure the structural system and the cladding is one and the same thing. The geometrical and structural characteristics allow for extremely economical and simple building systems at any scale from small units to larger spans."

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A Chelsea Flower Show garden for a writer

Another garden to look out for at this year's Chelsea Flower Show is The Writer's Retreat Garden in The Great Pavilion which features a shepherd's hut writing studio. Among those working on it is friend of Shedworking Mark Diacono from Otter Farm and greenhouse/conservatory specialists Alitex. Here's what Mark says about it:

Pennard Plants have been inspired by my books - particularly A Year at Otter Farm and The New Kitchen Garden - to create a garden where a writer might feel creative, surrounded by the sounds, scent and view of an edible garden. Not that it's a regular sort of edible garden. The space is 10m by 10m, an Alitex greenhouse [a Mottisfont model, 2.6m x 4m] forming the productive focal point, and a Riverside shepherd's hut where the pen meets paper. The greenhouse sits in a summer meadow, planted to draw beneficial insects to pollinate plants inside and out. In this more traditionally productive part of the garden is a fence of trained fruit, plus salads and herbs; the greenhouse itself full of Mediterranean favourites.

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Stained glass shed

Technically this is a greenhouse, but it's certainly a shedlike building (and arguably almost a chapel, in fact its creators call it a 'horticultural temple') in which it would be wonderful to work. A wonderful piece of work using repurposed 18th and 19th century stained glass from horticultural installation artists Heywood & Condie, The Greenhouse has been on show at Jerwood Gallery in Hastings and most recently in the forecourt of the Royal British Society of Sculptors in London. Here's what they say about it:

"The walls of The Greenhouse are adorned with reconfigurations of these ancient symbols and patterns which humans have used for thousands of years to celebrate the cycle of life from times when human, plant and animal fertility was the central focus of sacred concern.  Once inside, the greenhouse is a sanctuary and a space for introspection which demands a meditation on image, concept and nature endlessly reflected in the infinity floor. The forms and images at play spring from the eternal themes of birth, death, regeneration and harmony with nature."

They add that "a digital folkloric spirit inhabits the space, symbolising the act of gardening as a transcendent activity" and that it is a place of sanctuary and introspection (something which all shedworkers know plenty about).

Via The Enduring Gardener with a h/t to The Garden Escape ----------------------------------------------------

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Greenhouse trend predictions 2025 include garden office use

Hartley Botanic's annual greenhouse trend predictions make interesting reading for shedworkers and those considering joining the garden office club.

Its key take home is that the use of partitions in greenhouses is becoming increasingly popular as gardeners look to formally divide structures for additional lifestyle uses. Indeed, at the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the company showcased its Victorian Manor Glasshouse with a partitioned-off work/ lifestyle room and says that customers are now using partitions to create separate spaces for dining, garden working or tranquil morning and evening relaxation. 

"Greenhouses, even though single-glazed, offer a sheltered environment that allow people to enjoy their gardens regardless of the weather," said a spokesperson, "and the use of partitions adds an additional element of flexibility and personalisation. Greenhouse owners are using them to add a garden "room” separate to their horticultural needs, enjoying the space in a multifaceted way while surrounded by their plants."

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Greenhouse garden office

We do cover greenhouse garden office possibilities from time to time on Shedworking but maybe we should be looking into it a bit more thoroughly. Lancashire-based glasshouse/greenhouse specialist Hartley Botanic has announced its predictions for 2023 based on recent customer behaviour. Among them are thoughts on less horticultural-specific uses (pictured above, its 'Calm and Wellbeing' 2022 RHS Chelsea Flower Show tradestand).

They quite rightly point out that he mental health benefits of gardening and enjoying our green spaces is now well understood and customers are extending this further into how they use and design their greenhouses. Naturally, this could mean more people working from home in glass-based builds.

“We foresee more customers specifically buying and using their glasshouses and greenhouses for wellness reasons in 2023," said CEO Tom Barry. "This is something we have been noticing over the last few years,
as customers experienced the benefits first hand of spending more time in their garden spaces. People want
to make the most of this and will be consciously organising their greenhouses – whether in their design or
‘grow your own’ usage – for this purpose.”

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2,000th post: bookshop in a greenhouse

I've been wondering how to celebrate Shedworking's 2,000th post and I can't think of any shedworking atmosphere better than this, a bookshop in a greenhouse. Designed by Joshua Wright of Shed 54, it's part of The Wapping Project, a contemporary art centre and restaurant run by Julia Wright. According to Lydia Fulton writing at Dazeddigital.com, the shop is in the Project's garden and stocks a wide range of titles on contemporary art, design, architecture and photography, all on metal bookshelves and, nice touch this, next to terracotta pots filled with cabbages and heather. It will also host book launches, readings and workshops. Julia Wright is quoted as saying:

"As an only child I lived in my books and still have every one of them. I also ran a shop in a dis-used hen house at the bottom of our ramshackle back yard where I sold jars of soapy water to myself and imagined who I would be. Now I’ve made a tiny glass bookshop with a coal fire, selling the most beautiful books, where everyone can browse and imagine who they might become, while others watch them through the glass and imagine who they are.”

Thanks to shedworker Patricia Debney for the alert

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Greenhouse

Greenhouse is a bin which looks like a shed. Press the 'porch' pedal and, voila, the roof opens for your rubbish requirements. Sadly it's only a prototype at the moment, a marvellous idea from Jantze Brogard Asshoff.

Garage to workspace renovation

A fabulous garage refurb by design and architecture firm McCloy + Muchemwa who also dealt with an existing asbestos issue for this build in Norwich, renamed The Orangery. Lots of images of the transformation on the site via the link above and how they turned it into a greenhouse with workspace. Features include upcycled workbenches and a covered outside space. Here's what they say about it:

The black cladding finish was selected to provide a backdrop that emphasises the colours in garden and flower beds, an approach that references classical still-life paintings. The bright orange colour celebrates the dramatic and uninterrupted seven-metre span of the pergola's steel beam and is in 'complementary contrast' to the azure colour of the sky. A triangular motif reoccurs throughout the project, from the pitched roof, greenhouse structural bracing and ventilation panel, to the 'pyramid window' and even down to small details such as the shelf brackets and three-rod legs on the workbenches.

Photos by Simon Kennedy

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Old greenhouse into a garden office

While many people buy their garden offices new, if you already have a decent structure in your garden which could be converted, it's well worth considering 'recycling' it. Life strategist, speaker and author Caroline O'Neill mentioned today on Twitter that she was starting to turn her old greenhouse (pictured above) into a garden office - we look forward to more photos in coming months.
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Glasshouses at Chelsea Flower Show

Among the stands to drop by and have a browse at this year's Chelsea Flower Show is Hartley Botanic's. Although more towards the greenhouse end of the market, these are versatile spaces and can also make decent garden offices. Pictured above is their tradestand this year which displays four of the manufacturer’s handmade greenhouses including:
 
* The Opus Botanic Glasshouse in Country Stone - The largest glasshouse on this year’s tradestand with wider glass panes to give a modern look and feel 

* The Victorian Villa Glasshouse in Verona Stone - A Victorian aesthetic, with an extra door in the left and right gable ends  

* The Victorian Chelsea Glasshouse in Olive Leaf - A glass to ground design, the show model features roof blinds to both front and rear 

* The Wisley 8 Grow & Store Greenhouse in Black Olive - Includes a useful, partitioned two-pane storage area. 
 
Tom Barry, CEO of Hartley Botanic said: “Our choice of structures for this year’s tradestand, and choice of lighter colours, is a reflection of current customer tastes. We are noticing that customers are increasingly opting for light, fresh colours such as stone, pale olive and white. The structures are also more restrained in size this year which is in keeping with current pressures for all consumers."

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Garden office market predicted to grow fast

According to the latest report from AMA Research, the garden buildings market is set to to see steady growth rates of 2-3% per year until 2022. This follows on the back of the growth of the last five years which they say is down to "improving consumer confidence and spending as well as factors such as an improving housing market, increased levels of homeworking, trend for secondary residential garden buildings and growing popularity in 'outdoor living' and spending time in the garden."

It specifically predicts that the garden office market looks healthy and that while demand for log cabins has fallen in volume terms, that part of the sector has benefited from upgrading and price increases. Here's what they say:

The different sub-sectors vary in their maturity, with the sheds and greenhouse sector representing mature sectors compared to other less mature sectors such as garden rooms. The high household penetration of sheds and greenhouse means these sectors are more dependent on upgrading and replacement products. Whereas the lower penetration of other sectors such as garden rooms allows for higher levels of growth.

Overall, the AMA says prospects for the garden buildings market in the medium-term are optimistic (despite only rising 1% in 2017) but dependent on a range of issues such as housebuilding and  the effect of 'Brexit' negotiations.

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Garden office art studio

A nice build from Smart Modular Buildings using its Evolve 8.0m x 3.7m model for Gina Long MBE, a former charity sector leader and keen artist. Fed up of painting in a cramped greenhouse turned into a studio lacking natural light, she chose something more suitable and bespoke which has floor-to-ceiling windows and a far better layout to fit in her worktable, paint storage, easels, canvases, and tripods for photography. Here's what she says about it:

“Having recently retired from a highly demanding role in the charity sector, I was in desperate need of a space where I could unwind and reconnect with my passion for art. This new studio has been life-changing. It has become a place where I can fully immerse myself in my art, free from distractions. The peace and solitude it offers have brought immense joy and fulfillment into my life. I finally have a space that is truly mine, where I can nurture my creativity and find peace.”

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Garden offices top most desired home addition list

A new report from Money.co.uk underlines how important shedworking and garden offices have become in the UK. Its Renovation Nation Report out today examines how much homeowners have been spending on their properties, with one in five UK homeowners reporting that they ahve spent the majority of their home improvement money on their garden.

When asked what home projects they’d invest in if money were no object, a third of people said a garden office or summerhouse and nearly a fifth went for the shedlike greenhouse.

Overall, the survey found that over three-quarters of UK homeowners have spent money on changing or improving their properties over the past year, spending an average of £1,473 on projects. Just over a quarter of the 2,000 people polled said that spending less money on going out had given them more money to spend on their homes and over a fifth cited wanting to increase the value of their home.

Image courtesy Smart 

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Multi-functional garden office

This will be a nice building when installed - combination of Greenhouse, Aviary, Workshop and Summerhouse! twitter.com/OlympianSheds/…

— Olympian Buildings (@OlympianSheds) November 9, 2012

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Full time shedworkers' emissions less than half that of traditional office workers

A new study 'Climate mitigation potentials of teleworking are sensitive to changes in lifestyle and workplace rather than ICT usage' suggests that "switching from working onsite to working from home can reduce up to 58% of work’s carbon footprint". 

Research in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences indicates that working from home just one day a week has a negligible effect but that hybrid workers with two to four workdays at home can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 11 to 29%. The study focused on employees in the US including Microsoft’s employee data on commuting and 'teleworking' but are likely to be applicable to the UK and elsewhere.

IT and communications technology was shown to make little difference to people’s work carbon footprints, while reduced office energy use and the absence of a daily commute equated to reduced emissions (not to mention lower vehicle congestion helping to improve fuel economy).
 
In conclusion, the researchers said: “While remote work shows potential in reducing carbon footprint, careful consideration of commuting patterns, building energy consumption, vehicle ownership, and non-commute-related travel is essential to fully realise its environmental benefits.”

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A tour of Simon Armitage's writing shed

We mentioned earlier in the month that the Poet Laureate Simon Armitage has launched a new BBC podcast The Poet Laureate Has Gone To His Shed in which he invites people from various creative walks of life into his shed for a chat. He has also done a little tour of his pretty windswept garden office (see below) in which he shows us around. Everybody has some unusual things in their sheds, but I wonder how many have a harmonium, a pizza oven, a daybed, books on birdspotting, a decent spread of music cassettes, and an impressive collection of sherry.

The first episode is out now with singer Guy Garvey from Elbow and you can listen to it here (warning, contains very strong language) who talks about his own shed history (spoiler: it's a greenhouse really).

Poet Laureate & former probation officer Simon Armitage took guests in his garden shed to talk about life, language and the human voice.

Hear those fascinating conversations on @BBCsounds

Subscribe 👉 https://t.co/9lasEHSWHr pic.twitter.com/o2n5pKbDwZ

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Invented in a shed: Daimler cars

Gottlieb Daimler took the first steps towards what is today a global corporation bearing his name from a workshop in his garden shed in the late 19th century. It was in his garden office in Bad Cannstatt - which was restored in 1984 and opened to the public as a small museum - that he created the world's first lightweight high-speed four stroke internal combustion vehicle engine.

The workshop shed was originally a greenhouse to which Daimler added a brick extension and turned into a testing station for his work: he also widened the garden paths so vehicles could drive down them. He and fellow inventor Wilhelm Maybach worked in considerable secrecy in their garden office, keeping secret their work even from their servants and gardeners (one of whom called the police because he thought they had installed an illegal mint inside).

You can read more details at the Daimler site and even now buy a model of it (see here for details, in German).

Thanks to the fine folk at Hummel Blockhaus for the alert
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