Don't abandon your mini plastic greenhouse this winter – it's the ideal place to help dry laundry, says one expert

Although the busy growing season is officially over, your beloved mini plastic greenhouse needn't be exiled to the shed just yet. In fact, there are several unexpected ways you can still use it throughout autumn and winter too.

While completing your October gardening jobs, you might've noticed your plastic greenhouse isn't getting the attention it usually does in spring and summer. Although it's not quite as necessary during autumn and winter, you might be surprised by how many ways you can still use it.

So when you're sorting your garden out this month, don't bid farewell to your greenhouse just yet. Tap into its potential by trying one of the alternative ways to use it to help you through the winter months, such as an alternative airing cupboard.

Whether you're trying vegetable gardening or are limited to a small garden, a mini plastic greenhouse is a great choice.

And although they're mainly used for seed germination and helping heat-loving plants grow in summer, they're just as useful once the weather turns.

"If you're not utilising your plastic greenhouse in the autumn and winter months, then you're missing a massive trick because I use this quite a lot. In fact, there are loads of out-of-the-box things you can do with these that make it really practical," explains Ish Kamran, garden design expert and horticulture influencer at @gardening.with.ish on Instagram.

"For example, I've removed the middle shelf, and it actually makes a really good clothes dryer for outside. It's slightly warmer than the normal temperature and also means it's not going to get rained on. As long as you leave a bit of ventilation, it actually dries quicker than if I left it on an airer inside," he adds. Unless you have one of the best heated airers, of course.

"Not all of us are blessed with a porch or a canopy in which they can dry their boots and shoes. So if you've been out on a muddy walk and it's not looking its best, just utilise the bottom shelf. It's got cover, and you can close it up to let it dry," Ish points out.

If you've been using your essential gardening tools this season, your greenhouse can be the perfect post-cleaning drying area.

"It's not just your clothes and boots that you can dry off as well; if you've been washing some of your gardening tools, why not pop them in here, especially in between jobs. If you're like me and your tools get a little rusty now and then, putting them in a dry space will do you a favour," Ish explains.

Looking to overwinter your dahlias this season? Your greenhouse can help out with the tubers too.

"And finally, if you're a true horticulturist at heart, why not use this space to dry seeds or tubers before you store them away. That little bit of extra heat will make sure they're perfectly dry before you put them in a nice little brown envelope ready for next year," he adds.

Greenhouses can also help protect your garden from heavy rain. Any vulnerable potted plants can be moved inside during more intense weather and storms.