What is a potting shed?

A potting shed is a dual-purpose structure that provides the benefits of a shed and a greenhouse in one building. Store everything you need for raising seedlings and looking after your garden or allotment, and have somewhere bright and sheltered to grow less hardy plants. Your potting shed can also be a refuge from inclement weather, or a place to take a break and admire your handiwork over a cup of tea.

Can you grow tomatoes in a potting shed?

A potting shed is the perfect place to get your tomato seedlings started. It provides shelter from colder temperatures, high winds and pests, and allows plenty of daylight to ensure your plants don’t get off to a ‘leggy’ start. If you don’t have space outside to transplant your young plants, they can be potted on and continue to grow in your shed as long as they have the right conditions: warmth, 6-8 hours of sunlight a day, and slightly acidic, well-drained soil. Don’t let lack of space put you off growing your own fruit and veg – read our blog on greenhouses for a smaller garden to find out what’s possible.

Which direction should a potting shed face?

Position your potting shed so that it gets as much natural daylight as possible to give your seedlings and other plants the best chance of success – this will normally mean south-facing. Many people keep their potting shed against a wall, where the comparative shelter helps keep temperatures inside the shed more stable. It’s also important to locate your potting shed in a practical and accessible place and keep it organised, so you’ll enjoy using it. Visit our blog for 10 clever ways to organise a greenhouse .

Potting Sheds

Potting sheds from Waltons offer gardeners a purpose-built unit suitable for sowing seeds, potting seedlings and growing on all your favourite fruit, veg, flowers and more. ...

Potting sheds from Waltons offer gardeners a purpose-built unit suitable for sowing seeds, potting seedlings and growing on all your favourite fruit, veg, flowers and more. A variety of sizes and styles suitable for most gardens and backyards is here, so we’re sure to have the potting shed you’re looking for. In need of a shed, but not sure which kind? In that case, head over to our shed buying guide, where you’ll find comprehensive information on all our different sheds and outdoor buildings.

Potting sheds sizes and styles:

Choosing a potting shed for a small patio or courtyard garden? If you have the perfect spot for a small plant prep area, we have the ideal potting shed for you. Our 6x3 Victorian grow house features a pent roof with vents double-opening doors, and is perfect for positioning against a wall or fence. For those in search of something bigger, take a look at our 8x6 potting shed with large lean-to styrene windows and an opening window for optimal ventilation. For those looking for versatility, our 8x8 potting shed/storage shed combination unit offers the best of both worlds – plenty of room for plant work with enough storage for all your gardening tools and equipment.

Potting shed materials

Our potting sheds are constructed using the same FSC-certified timber construction and UK site of manufacture as all our other wooden sheds. We also offer a standard 10-year anti-rot guarantee for your added peace of mind. For glazing, we’ve opted for shatterproof styrene and with quality shiplap construction, our potting sheds are watertight and draught resistant, creating optimal growing conditions for your plants.

Installing a potting shed

To ensure optimum performance and longevity, it’s very important to clear and level the ground before installing your new potting shed. You should always ensure your shed sits on a firm base – for smaller units, a wooden base works fine – you can purchase these along with your potting shed. For larger sheds and potting sheds, a patio slab or concrete base is a much better option. For step-by-step instructions on how to build the right base for your new potting shed, head over to our guide to building a shed base for all the information you need.