Top Winter Greenhouses: Your Guide to Year-Round Gardening

Greenhouses are hugely beneficial for gardening and horticulture for several reasons. In a country like Ireland, where the climate, particularly in winter, is less than ideal for growing plants, vegetables, fruit etc., greenhouses can resolve this problem.  

There are some important traits that a greenhouse needs to have in order to be suitable for use in the winter. 

Well-insulated: 

In the cold winter months, it is crucial to have effective insulation in your greenhouse to retain heat, in the form of insulated glazing or polycarbonate panels. Materials such as these are effective at trapping heat, which will allow you to extend the growing season into the colder months. Heaters can also be used to help maintain a stable temperature during winter.  

Ventilation: 

Another important feature for a greenhouse to have to be effective in the winter is adequate ventilation. Greenhouses can come with automated or manual vents. Proper ventilation is crucial to regulate humidity and prevent condensation, as condensation can result in mould forming. 

Frame: 

It is vital that a greenhouse has a strong and durable frame if it is to be effective during the harsh winter months. Aluminium is one of the most suitable materials for a greenhouse frame. Aluminium is highly durable and resistant to corrosion and rust, making it ideal to withstand the wet and windy winters in Ireland. Aluminium also has very good structural integrity, making it an ideal material for a greenhouse frame.

Wood is also a suitable material for a greenhouse frame, providing it is the right quality and type of wood. For example, at OutdoorLiving.ie , our selection of wooden greenhouses are made from Nordic Spruce. This is an extremely durable type of wood, and it is highly suitable for Irish winters due to the fact that the wood is grown in climates even colder than Ireland. The wood on these greenhouses is also pressure treated which protects it from rotting, meaning it will require less maintenance and last longer than other wooden greenhouses

Vitavia Aluminium Frame Range: 

Vitavia is a top-of-the-range greenhouse manufacturer, and their range of aluminium framed, glass greenhouses are the greenhouses we would recommend most strongly for use in the winter. There is a variety of sizes and styles available in this range.

• Greenhouses with a straight roof: 

These greenhouses all have aluminium frames and the panels are all made from horticultural glass as standard, and can also be fitted with toughened safety glass, both of which are excellent for keeping heat in the greenhouse. Glass is also excellent for light transmission and is easy to clean. The frames on these greenhouses are strengthened by braces to ensure stability and durability, perfect for the winter months. There are also roof vents on these greenhouses which are crucial to provide adequate ventilation. Some greenhouses in this range include the Jupiter, Phoenix and Apollo. These greenhouses come in a range of different sizes, varying in widths of 6ft and 8ft and lengths of between 6ft and 14ft.  

These greenhouses offer a slightly different aesthetic with a curved roof made with clear polycarbonate, which offers optimal growing height as a result. The side panels are made with horticultural glass as standard, with the option of toughened safety glass as well.  Roof vents and sliding doors allow for optimal ventilation. The aluminium frames on these greenhouses mean they are ideal for durability. These greenhouses include the Saturn, which is 8ft wide and up to 14ft long, and the Orion, which is 6ft wide and either 6ft or 8ft in length.  

The heritage wooden greenhouses are a stylish alternative to aluminium framed greenhouses, made from extremely durable Nordic spruce. This wood is pressure-treated and will last longer than other types of wood as a result. However, there will be some maintenance required, with the wood needing to be treated every few years. The heritage range all have roof vents to ensure adequate ventilation. The heritage greenhouse comes in three different sizes; 8ft x 8ft, 8ft x 12ft and 10ft x 15ft, as well as in a t-shape that is 14ft by 18ft.  

If you’re looking to extend your growing season into the colder winter months, a greenhouse could be the perfect solution. Greenhouses create a controlled growing environment by trapping heat and regulating humidity and light.  

The best greenhouses to get for the winter are ones that can withstand the tougher weather and effectively keep heat in. Aluminium framed greenhouses are a great option due to the durability of aluminium. Wooden framed greenhouses can also be a good option, providing they are properly treated.  

Browse our full range now and find your ideal greenhouse for the winter!