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A potting shed is a space you’ll return to over and over, so make it work for your routine. Taking notes of the features is a great starting point. Here’s what you need to know.
Top Features of Potting Sheds
Potting sheds come with a few features that make gardening easier and more enjoyable. Some make space for tools, others let in plenty of light for your plants. Here’s a quick look at what to look out for.
Potting shed material
Your common options are wood and metal.
Wood has the advantage of being a natural insulator. It tends to stay warmer inside, which is a handy feature for year-round use. However, that alone won’t suffice; some insulation is still required, though not as much.
Metal, in contrast, won’t give you quite the same warmth, but it’s low-maintenance. You won’t need to treat it every year, though it’s still worth keeping an eye on it to prevent rust over time.
In terms of longevity, the guides below can tell you about it in detail:
Windows and natural light
Once you’ve picked your shed material, think about light. If you want to grow plants or spend time potting, a shed with windows is a must.
A windowless shed is cheaper and fine for storage, but it can feel gloomy to work in. Even a few windows make the potting shed feel brighter and more inviting.
Take our BillyOh Planthouse Potting Shed, for instance. Windows come built in, and this one’s special as it has two levels of windows to let the light in.
Pressure treatment
If you’re going for a wooden shed, pressure treatment is a big plus. It’s basically wood that’s had preservatives forced deep into its fibres, as opposed to surface-level dip treatment. It resists rot and lasts a lot longer. Non-treated sheds need an annual coating on all exposed surfaces, inside and out when there are moisture-loving plants inside.
Our Planthouse is pressure-treated as standard, and we’ve managed to do this without hiking up the price.
Shelving
Most of our sheds with windows come with the option to add internal shelving. It’s perfect for keeping plant pots, tools, and little bits and bobs organised. You can even use shelves to store seeds, trays, or small DIY items, making the potting shed work harder for you.
To give you some ideas, take a look at our BillyOh Pro Apex HD Shed. You can see how the tall, open interior and solid frame give you plenty of room for racks along the walls.
For more options:
Ventilation
Letting in fresh air helps the space feel lighter and keeps damp at bay while you’re potting. Some models can be added with windows, but make sure they can be opened. If not, you can always open the door to let the breeze in – perfect if you don’t mind popping it open while you work.
Or you can add vents to the walls or roof. Options include roof vents, louvre vents in the walls, or small trickle vents near the top.
Learn more:
Shed Ventilation: How-to and Things to Consider
Round-up
A potting shed gives you a dedicated space for gardening, with room for tools, plants, and projects. Features like windows, insulation, shelves, and ventilation help it work better for your routine. And of course, you’ll want to invest in a quality one.
