Greenhouse placement

mikebayer

Hi there,

This picture is facing north and was taken at solar noon. The board in the middle shows the shadow line. I was wondering about the best placement. I would guess along the back fence but not sure if I should run it east-west or north south for best winter conditions. I got the 10mm twin wall so hopefully it wont be too difficult to keep above freezing.

mikebayer

here are pics at 830 am 

mikebayer

and 930 am

steephill

Experts disagree about alignment and for small domestic greenhouses I don't think it makes any real difference. After all the whole structure is transparent. One if mine is square (8×8) so it really doesn't matter for that one. More important is making sure you have easy access all round for cleaning and can position the door to best effect. So it looks like close to your back wall is the best position for maximum sun. What size are you getting?

mikebayer

This is my first greenhouse so I'm excited!, I just built the base and starting work on the 12" knee wall which will make it just under 10 ft high for the 6x8. I ended up getting the Palram Glory 10mm twin wall - maybe ill try bubble wrap in the winter. Good service from Greenhouses Canada - got extra shelves and Trellising Kit with. Everything is expensive with the Canadian peso, our govt. just can't stop taxing and spending. 

Going to try the sub irrigated fabric pots to see how they do.

http://www.greenhousescanada.com/6-Wide-10mm-Glory-Grey.html

mikebayer

Would it be much warmer in the winter if I dug down rather than built up a 12 inch knee wall? I'm planning on 2 inch rigid insulation on the floor with an inch or 2 of gravel on top? Any better options to consider? Perhaps no big benefit for the insulation?

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mikebayer

Freddies Dad said:

mikebayer said:

Would it be much warmer in the winter if I dug down rather than built up a 12 inch knee wall? I'm planning on 2 inch rigid insulation on the floor with an inch or 2 of gravel on top? Any better options to consider?

Yes it would be warmer as bricks absorb heat and release it more slowly than glass and the extra heat height is valuable. It also looks better. My old greenhouse was slabbed as ground or stone clippings I found kept the greenhouse too humid in winter. I would align it so the longest part of the greenhouse gets the maximum amount of sun, get electricity down there so you can have a light and a thermostatic heater. 

good thing my brother is an electrician! 

How about this plan. Dig 16" then 2 inches gravel and 2 inches crushed brick? Should take care of any humidity issues? Semi Walipini style?

Only 5 pm and already shade at the back. Should I move it 1 meter closer to the house or the sun angle in the winter needs it that far back?

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mikebayer

It does come with automatic roof vent and side louver. Was thinking maybe just one course of bricks at grade, come in 2 inches down 16 then rigid insulation on the walls. Gravel and crushed brick on top.

Or I could use cheap cinder blocks for the walls. I don't know which would work better.

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