Your enjoyment of gardening may be extended by bringing it under cover, by making use of a greenhouse, conservatory or simply a sunny position in your house. This can allow you to grow a whole range of plants that would not be able to endure the British weather, they can provide a frost-free shelter for plants that spend the summer outdoors or they can act as a nursery for cuttings and seedlings.
What you use your indoor garden for will depend on whether or not it is heated; a cool environment is good for protecting tender and half-hardy plants over the winter, whilst a warm, humid environment can supply you with just the right conditions to grow tropical and sub tropical plants.
There are a number of elements that go towards creating the right conditions for your plants, including heating, lighting, insulation, shading, ventilation and watering. The exact set-up of your indoor gardening space will depend on how you intend to use it. You will also need to consider the equipment that you might need, such as beds, staging, shelves and connection to the mains services for water and electricity.
Regular maintenance is required to keep greenhouses and conservatories clean and in good working order. A thorough clean and maintenance check in the autumn will reduce problems from overwintering pests and diseases.
