Collection: Pallet greenhouse

What a Pallet Greenhouse Is

A pallet greenhouse is a compact frame sized to stand on the footprint of a standard pallet, around 120 by 80 centimetres. That single constraint is what defines the format: it fits where a full frame will not, and the dimensions are predictable enough to plan around.

Construction is usually a light aluminium or steel frame with clear plastic or polycarbonate panels. Shelves stack above one another, so herbs, salad leaves and seedlings share the same square metre rather than competing for floor.

Where It Fits

Balconies, roof terraces, courtyards and narrow side returns are the usual sites. Anywhere the available ground is measured in centimetres rather than metres, and anywhere the structure needs to be movable rather than permanent.

Standing it on an actual pallet raises it off cold or wet ground, which helps drainage and keeps the base out of standing water. It also makes the whole unit easier to shift, since a pallet truck or two people can move it complete.

Assembly and Anchoring

Most models assemble without tools, which is part of the appeal. The frames clip or slot together and the cover pulls over, so the whole thing goes up in an afternoon.

The trade off is weight. A light frame with a large covered face is easily moved by wind, and on a roof terrace or upper balcony that is a safety matter rather than an inconvenience.

• Strap or weight the frame rather than relying on its own mass.
• Use the supplied pegs as a minimum rather than a recommendation.
• Take the cover off before winter storms rather than leaving it to be torn.

Our anchor kits cover soil, gravel and paving where pegs are not enough.

Managing the Climate

A small enclosed volume warms very quickly. Open the front each morning and close it in the evening, or the temperature at the top shelf will run well past what seedlings tolerate before mid morning.

Watering is the other daily job. Small pots on open shelving dry out fast, and in summer that means checking every day rather than every few.

Related Options

If the site is exposed, a rigid mini greenhouse will hold up better than a covered frame. For a balcony rail, the balcony range is built narrow and tall for exactly that position.