Greenhouse Shelving Ideas: Best Ways to Optimize the Space

We cover everything you need to know about greenhouse shelving: from the materials used to the types of shelves that suit best.
By
Nora Held
Nora Held
Research Writer
Apart from being our main writer, Nora also works for a number of gardening-related sites and magazines, sharing her experience as an owner of a small farm in North Carolina read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Bruce Williams
Bruce Williams
Expert Consultant
Bruce owns a small farm and loves to grill since his early childhood. He’s a professional cook, but hiking and enjoying the great outdoors is his no less favorite part of read more
Last updated: August 15, 2023
BackyardStyle.com is reader-supported. We may earn a commission through products purchased using links on this page. Learn more about our process here

Greenhouse shelving can be said to be the process of attaching shelves to the interior of the greenhouse walls or installing shelves on top of a built-in frame to create a handy storage space for seeds, tools, and pots of plants, flowers, and vegetables. It could also entail placing freestanding, easily relocated benches throughout the greenhouse.

Shelves can be fixed to a wall or other vertical surface, suspended from the ceiling, included in a free-standing frame unit, or included in a piece of furniture like a cabinet, bookshelf, entertainment center, or some headboards. The greenhouse shelving ideas offered here will help you organize and optimize the space.

Materials Used for Making Shelves

Greenhouse Shelving Ideas: Best Ways to Optimize the SpaceShelves are usually made from strong materials like wood, bamboo, or metals such as steel and aluminum. For storing light weight objects like cosmetics or cooking condiments, glass or plastic can be used.

What Shelving Materials Are Best for a Greenhouse?

Majority of greenhouse shelves are made from metals like aluminum and steel because they are functional, durable (especially in humid conditions because they are resistant to oxidation), and easy to transport (easy to move around when the plants start growing).

Greenhous shelves can also be made from wood, plastic, or wire, but these materials are much less popular. The main reason for using these materials for shelves is the aesthetics.

What Types of Shelves Can You Buy for a Greenhouse?

There are three important factors to consider before buying any greenhouse shelf. They are:

  1. Size: The size of the greenhouse is important so that the shelves are arranged in such a way that the space is effectively utilized.
  2. Material: The most common material used for greenhouse shelves is metal especially aluminum because of its durability and its ability to resist humidity.
  3. Plant Type/Farming Method: Although there is no exact shelf for a farming method or plant type, it should be noted that wooden shelves when compared to plastic or metal shelves provide more shade. This could cause a problem when growing fruits or vegetables that require high amounts of sunlight like tomatoes or peppers. Combined with glass, however, these can get pretty hot, so ensure the arrange proper ventilation Trusted Source How to buy and set up a tall cold frame | Gardening advice | The Guardian It’s a big investment, but you’ll reap the rewards if you sow and grow under glass, says our gardening expert www.theguardian.com .Greenhouse Shelving Ideas: Best Ways to Optimize the Space

Some suggestions on greenhouse shelving options include:

  1. Standard multi-functional adjustable shelving units, like this one or this one, are very handy and have multiple possible uses.
  2. Shelves can also be attached to the inside framing of your greenhouse, like this option.
  3. Hooks can be used for pots and flower baskets. These are affordable and save you some space, which is essential if you have a small greenhouse.
  4. Freestanding raised garden beds are a great option for herbs and flowers.

Advantages of Greenhouse Shelving

The benefits of greenhouse shelving are listed below:

  • It provides a secure and steady environment that allows plant to grow.
  • It makes efficient use of vertical space of the greenhouse.
  • It enables good air distribution and water drainage within the greenhouse.
  • It helps the farmer organize the plants which makes the greenhouse well-ordered.
  • It holds different kind of greenhouse accessories such as pots, trays, small farming equipment.

DIY Shelves

DIY shelves are frequently made using repurposed materials, which makes them both economical and useful. Example of materials used for making DIY shelves include dresser drawers, wooden tray, old interior door, colored pencils, plastic crates, hard cover books and many more other materials.

These homemade greenhouse shelves not only turn regular walls into usable storage areas, but they also create a stylish statement.

Many current materials may be transformed into unique shelving with a little imagination and DIY abilities. These DIY greenhouse shelves are made with common materials for less money than prefabricated shelves.

The video below shows the process of building greenhouse shelves yourself.

An alternative to DIY greenhouse shelving is buying a greenhouse kit wit the shelves already pre-installed.

How To Organize a Greenhouse and Optimize Space

The organization of a greenhouse is very important; its boots the productivity of the farmer by efficiently organizing supplies and tools. It is also said that it contributes positively to the health of the plants. Some tips for organizing a greenhouse include:

  1. Divide the greenhouse into sections: Set aside areas for planting, tool storage, potting plants, and even storing often used goods like watering tools, plant food, and other items.
  2. Create a section for the potting bench: In a greenhouse, a potting bench is a bench or table that serves as a work area. It should be against a wall and, if possible, have access to plumbing. It is the center of activity. It will be easier to discover, reach, and use materials if they are organized around the bench.
  3. Use shelves to increase growing space: Shelves help to make efficient use of the greenhouse’s available floor area. In most cases, adjustable or mobile shelves are preferred because of their adaptability.
  4. Utilize space underneath the benches: Keeping supplies under the greenhouse benches is an excellent method to maximize available space. It is also ideal for plants that require less light and more shade.

Don’t forget to add some grow lights for vegetables for better results!

Final Thoughts

In recent times, there has been a rise in gardening and farming activities around the globe. One of the reasons for this rise is that growing one’s own produce gives a high level of self-accomplishment. However, because not everyone lives in a warm climate that supports the growth of plants there is a need to utilize greenhouses for the cultivation of plants. Greenhouse shelving aims to arrange shelves of a greenhouse in such a way that it organizes the plants, keeps the greenhouse tidy, and provides a secure and steady environment for the growth of the plants. These greenhouse shelving ideas should be encouraged as it is beneficial to the direct individual as well as the society at large.

References

1.
How to buy and set up a tall cold frame | Gardening advice | The Guardian
It’s a big investment, but you’ll reap the rewards if you sow and grow under glass, says our gardening expert

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *