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6 Greenhouse Shelving Ideas To Help Keep You Organized

One thing that I can never have enough of is storage and shelving. This goes for my home, my garden shed, and my greenhouse. If you’re looking for some great greenhouse shelving ideas for all your storage needs, I’ve got you covered.

The best way to organize your greenhouse, no matter how big or small it is, is through shelving that fits your space and serves your purpose. We’re going to explore the different types of shelving here and tell you everything you need to know to make the best choice, based on your floor space, easy access, and other needs.

potted plants on greenhouse shelves

What is Greenhouse Shelving?

Greenhouse shelving is a great way to increase the amount of space in your small greenhouse. By adding shelves, you can maximize the space available for plants. Additionally, greenhouse shelving can provide additional support for climbing plants.

You can also use greenhouse shelving for gardening tools, extra pots, planters not currently in use, and other items that you might also store in a garden shed. Any tools, potting soil, or items you need quick access to in the greenhouse can be stored right there for ease of use.

Greenhouse shelving is typically made from metal or PVC and is available in a variety of sizes and designs. Sometimes shelving is made from wood or a combination of metal and wood.

When choosing greenhouse shelving, be sure to consider the weight of the shelves and the type of plants that will be growing on them. For heavier plants, metal shelving may be the best option.

PVC shelving is typically more affordable and lightweight, making it a good choice for smaller plants. Greenhouse shelving can be a great way to increase the amount of space in your greenhouse and improve the overall health of your plants.

Let’s take a deeper look at the types of greenhouse shelves there are.

Types of Greenhouse Shelving

EAGLE PEAK Greenhouse Shelving Staging Double 4 Tier, Outdoor / Indoor Plant Shelves, 35" x 12" x 42", Green

The most popular type of greenhouse shelving is freestanding shelves, which can be made from wood, metal, or plastic. These shelves are easy to assemble and can be placed anywhere in the greenhouse. Sometimes people like to make their own.

Another type of greenhouse shelving is suspended shelving, which is hung from the ceiling. This type of shelving is ideal for storing heavier items, such as pots and soil. It is designed for those heavy loads and won’t topple or break on you.

Finally, there are wall-mounted shelves, which are perfect for small greenhouses or areas with limited space. Wall-mounted shelves are available in a variety of materials, including wood, metal, and plastic.

In addition to the type of shelving you use, it’s also important to plan your design and how to use certain accessories efficiently, too. You want to ensure you have proper air circulation in your space and that the plants you are growing have sufficient lighting, space, and all of their other needs met.

Design and accessories

In addition to the shelving itself, you can also use design and accessory ideas to help make the most of the space that you have. Designing your greenhouse shelves is a great way to make the most of the extra space and use what you have most effectively.

A small greenhouse, for example, may not have as much space inside for freestanding shelving units. If your greenhouse does not have sturdy walls, you won’t be able to use wall-mounted shelves. So, the first step is to map out all of those details. And the next step is to start plotting out how you will use the space.

Some gardeners even like to plot it out on paper first, so that they can really see where each element will go and how it fits into the overall design. How much space do you need to work? Does your greenhouse have a workspace or a potting bench?

Do you have seed trays that you want to stack up? You could use shelves with a smaller height between them to stack these up and get more from your space. As the seeds start to grow taller, they can be moved to spaces with more room. A shelving unit with adjustable shelves makes it so much easier to do this.

If you’re short and your top shelf is really tall, you can use this extra space as a storage area for things you don’t need to access very often. You can also keep a folding step stool in the greenhouse to use when you need to reach that extra storage space. In fact, it’s a good idea to keep a small ladder or step stool around for this and similar reasons.

A really small greenhouse may not have a lot of smooth surfaces for working and may not have the space for overly large shelving. While it’s useful to bring shelving to your greenhouse and even a small workstation, you don’t want to overcrowd your space either.

What to use your greenhouse for

A greenhouse is your opportunity to take your outdoor gardening to the next level. It allows you some climate control over certain types of crops so that you can grow them reliably. Some popular vegetables to grow in a greenhouse include:

  • Peppers
  • Chilis
  • Cucumbers
  • Tomatoes

You can also grow other plants in your greenhouse. It can be used for overwintering non-hardy plants. And you can also use it as a potting shed if you have the space. This is where your staging and shelving really play an important role. Remember, your greenhouse is not a storage unit.

What not to use your greenhouse for

Your greenhouse is not a storage building. This is not the place to store your outdoor furniture or holiday decorations until you’re ready to use them. It can be far too easy to allow clutter to pile up and to want to shove things into your greenhouse in a pinch, but it can turn into a mess very quickly.

Your greenhouse cannot work for you efficiently if you don’t use it properly. It pays to be diligent with the space and how you use it. This is exactly why shelving is so useful. It helps you stay organized and make the most of your space.

6 Greenhouse Shelves That Work!

If you have larger plants in your greenhouse, you need to accommodate those. If you have seedlings, they can fit on smaller shelves, as long as they have the space required to grow taller. Some people also like to use plant hangers to get the best use of the space in their greenhouse. And you can even build DIY shelves if you’re feeling handy.

For most people, it might be a better idea to just buy some shelving units made for this purpose. When you’re looking for the best shelving for your greenhouse, here are some recommendations.

1. EAGLE PEAK Greenhouse Shelving Staging Double 4 Tier, Outdoor / Indoor Plant Shelves, 35″ x 12″ x 42″, Green

EAGLE PEAK Greenhouse Shelving Staging Double 4 Tier, Outdoor / Indoor Plant Shelves, 35" x 12" x 42", Green

I truly love the versatility of these shelves and how easy they are to assemble. They allow airflow and they can hold many things without being bulky or taking up too much space in the greenhouse. I also like the green color. 

2. Palram Heavy Duty Greenhouse Shelf Kit, 4 Pack

Palram Heavy Duty Greenhouse Shelf Kit, 4 Pack

When you need something heavy-duty, these shelves are perfect. I also love that they come in a four-pack, so there are plenty of shelves for you to use. 

3. Gardener’s Supply Company Indoor Greenhouse Gardening 3-Tier Plant Stand with Three Watertight Shelf Trays

Gardener’s Supply Company Indoor Greenhouse Gardening 3-Tier Plant Stand with Three Watertight Shelf Trays | High Intensity 6500K Color LED Grow Light Spectrum for Optimal Plant Growth

I really love the sleek design on this one. It also has a grow light and three watertight shelves. They are stylish enough to keep in your house but also work great in the greenhouse. 

4. Amazon Basics 3-Shelf Adjustable, Heavy Duty Storage Shelving Unit (250 lbs loading capacity per shelf)

Amazon Basics 3-Shelf Adjustable, Heavy Duty Storage Shelving Unit (250 lbs loading capacity per shelf), Steel Organizer Wire Rack, Black (23.3L x 13.4W x 30H)

These shelves from Amazon Basics are as basic as you get but they are perfect to get the job done. They can hold up to 250 pounds per shelf and they are affordable enough to get multiples. They are also really easy to assemble. 

5. Outdoor Garden Potting Bench W/Storage Shelf Wooden Workbench W/Hook

Yaheetech Outdoor Garden Potting Bench W/Storage Shelf Wooden Workbench W/Hook Garden Work Station W/Metal Tabletop 3 Shelves Potting Table Natural Wood

This is a really nice gardening bench at a perfect price that works well in small spaces or inside your greenhouse as a small workbench. It’s durable and easy to assemble, as well. 

6. Sturdy Gardening Shelves with PVC Cover – Indoor & OutdoorWorth Garden 50% Extra Wide Mini Greenhouse 5 Tier Portable Plant Green House 40in Wide -Sturdy Gardening Shelves with PVC Cover - Indoor & Outdoor Wheatgrass Growing - 19″x40″x75″

One thing I really like about this shelving option is that it comes with a PVC cover and you can also keep it outside your greenhouse for added storage. They are affordable and easy to assemble so you could get multiples without breaking the budget. 

With so many shelves to choose from, how can you choose the best ones? What should you look for when choosing your shelves?

Choosing the Best Shelving Features

The first thing you want to look at when shopping for greenhouse shelves is what features you need. You can make a list of what you’re looking for and then compare that to the options you see when you’re shopping. Or, you can do the opposite and shop first, looking at the features available and then deciding which ones are the most important to you. 

When considering what makes a shelving choice the “best”, it’s important to think about your needs and the size of your greenhouse. Here are some things to consider:

Material

What kind of material is it made from? Is it strong enough to fit what you want to store on it? Most greenhouse shelving is made from metal due to its durability of it. However, there is also shelving made from plastic (PVC), wood, and even wire mesh.

Ease of install

Another thing to consider is how easy it is to install. If the installation is complicated, you may need help setting it up. Also, easy installation means you have more control over how you organize your greenhouse over time. For example, you’d be able to move the shelves around to make more available space.

Durability

Another thing to consider is how durable they will be. If you just need something to work temporarily or through one season or two, it may not matter as much. But if you want something that can last many years in your greenhouse, you’ll want to invest in improved durability.

Number of shelves

Another big consideration is the number of shelves. This can vary according to how big the shelving unit is, how large and tall each shelf is, and how far apart they are. This is where designing your space first can really pay off so you know the number of shelves you need beforehand.

Adjustable

Is it adjustable? There are many benefits to having adjustable shelves and you can change them as needed over time, giving you more flexibility from your shelves.

Greenhouse Shelving FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about greenhouse shelving.

Do I need greenhouse shelving?

Only you can answer this question, but it is a worthy investment for most people looking to maximize the use of space within their greenhouse. If you want my opinion, I say that yes, most people can always use some greenhouse shelving, even if it’s just one shelf or unit.

What is greenhouse shelving used for?

In short, it’s used to store your supplies and equipment, and also to grow your plants. Some shelves double as a designed potting area. How you use it is up to you, but it should be part of your greenhouse staging plan.

Greenhouse Shelving Ideas – Conclusion

It’s easy to see from this that there are many options when it comes to greenhouse shelving. If you’ve just bought or built a new greenhouse and you’re looking to add some shelves for plant displays, this post can give you a head start with the information you need. Have you ever used any of the shelves on this list? Are there some great ones you would recommend? 

6 Greenhouse Shelving Ideas To Help Keep You Organized

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