What floor is ideal in a greenhouse?
Many people don’t understand how the right flooring contributes to the greenhouse's functionality and plant health. Below are the best greenhouse flooring options, weighing their pros and cons.
Wood
This one is a treat for those who appreciate the natural charm of nature. Using wood flooring in your DIY backyard greenhouse will make you feel like you are walking through a tranquil forest.
Wood flooring also provides excellent insulation that’s very beneficial to your plants. Wood flooring would be great if you want to add a touch of organic elegance to your herb greenhouse!
Unfortunately, wood needs regular maintenance to fend off decay and insects. It's a commitment, but it's well worth it.
Gravel
Gravel is a stylish yet minimal effort for your greenhouse. It’s both functional and visually appealing. Gravel is very porous, so excess water will drain well (meaning less mould). It is also an excellent insulator. Gravel is usually cheaper than most other options, easy to lay down, and has an added benefit - it discourages weed growth.
Gravel does have some unfortunate drawbacks, though. It’s not easy to walk on, so no barefoot gardening if you have tender feet. If you plan to floor with gravel, try to put down the heavy stuff where you won’t need to move it around too much. I don’t think you’ll want to be dragging heavy pieces through gravel, it’s not easy, trust me.
Stone Pavers
It’s hard to beat the stability and aesthetic charm of stone pavers. This is a sturdy, dependable option that’ll serve its purpose throughout the life of your green journey. Their variety in size and color allows for creative customization.
Installing stone pavers will be labor-intensive and precise work. Make sure you get professionals to do the installation. It’s not a job that you’ll be able to do from watching a few youtube videos. You don’t want uneven surfaces that’ll be detrimental to the stability of your green haven.
Dirt
Yes, I know what some of you may be thinking. Isn’t the dirt the thing I should be digging up to put in my real flooring? Well actually, dirt is one of the best flooring options out there. Dirt flooring will give you an authentic gardening experience for your greenhouse fruit trees.
Soil is excellent at maintaining a natural ecosystem and requires no installation. It's a no-fuss choice that keeps things simple. You can plant directly in the soil if you want to, plus you’ll have the option of composting directly in the soil for added benefits.
Soil isn’t all peaches and cream though. It can lead to uneven ground, poor drainage, and potential pest or disease issues. It's a good natural choice but comes with potential challenges.
Tiles
One of the most elegant flooring solutions for your green sanctuary is tiles. There are many tiling options to choose from if you decide to go this route. Want to spend more time gardening and not cleaning the garden floor? Well great news, tiles are easy to clean. Certain colors reflect light and will brighten up your space.
These beauties can be pricey and labor-intensive to install, especially if you have a large greenhouse. Tiles need a subfloor to install on, it’s gonna be like putting in two floors for your greenies to rest on.
Concrete
Some people need a practical, no-nonsense choice floor choice for their greenhouse. Well, it doesn’t get more no-nonsense than concrete. This thing can handle anything you throw, drop, spill, or drag on it and still stay standing.
It’s super low maintenance and will help regulate the temperature in your greenhouse for vegetables. Here’s a tip: concrete doesn’t drain well, but with a little help that can be rectified. Install your concrete with multiple drain holes and boom- hassle-free drains.
Basic concrete is simple and isn’t the prettiest girl at the bar. It’s a trade off I guess 😀
Select the flooring that best suits your gardening greenhouse needs and aesthetic aims. Each option brings unique strengths and challenges, so consider your pocket, climate, and maintenance abilities.
Remember some flooring options are very hard to remove after they are laid down, so make sure you know what you want before you start.
