A shady greenhouse?

Teleborian

We are re-designing our garden and the likely greenhouse location is shaded by a neighbour's weeping willow.

Will we still be able to have lovely toms and cucumbers, or do we need to think again about the garden design?

Thanks,

Simon

Blue Onion

Will it be shaded during the spring months?  Before the willow leaves come out?  Is it full shade during the summer?  If it's only a few hours around noon, perhaps the shade would be welcome during the hottest part of summer?

Deedot

A bit of light shade is ok but.....you really want to position the geenhouse where it will get the maximum number of hours of sunshine. Light of course is very important unless you are growing ferns or shade loving plants.

East west orientation is preferred but you may not have that choice.

 

My advice on a greenhouse purchase is to buy the best you can and bigger than you think you need. if you can have a dividing door to split it into two that helps when you need to provide heat. Electricity and water are very useful if you can manage their install. Remember water butts to catch the rain water off the roof .

You won't regret it. good luck

 

Tootles

Mine is in a little shade but it actually works well as i can position plants that need less direct sun in certain areas. I'd say it shouldn't be in complete shade really though, if you want to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers etc as they need sun to ripen. 

What isn't always ideal are the leaves that fall on it and bllock the drain going to the water butts. 

Small price to pay though as i love pottering about in the greenhouse! 

barry island

I have been asking myself the very same question as I would love a greenhouse in my garden which sadly faces north meaning that from the middle of November until the middle of February it gets no sun at all. I do have a greenhouse on the allotment but it would be so much better to have one in the garden where I could potter all day. I do have a couple of plastic greenhouses which I get the most from and have enjoyed having but the benefits of a proper greenhouse with room to move around in would be better especially during spring when I’m growing plants for the allotment taking up loads of room and going leggy on the windowsills . Even though the garden faces North the area where I would site the greenhouse will get direct sunlight in the spring and autumn for six to eight hours a day and in the summer for ten or more hours. My garden isn't that big so a six by four greenhouse would be the biggest that I could have without taking up too much room and looking silly, I'm still undecided whether to get one or not so I'll ponder some more.

nutcutlet

I think a lot depends on what you want to grow. Cuttings and seedlings do very well without direct sunlight though if it's too dark they'll get leggy

Deedot

I agree. Go for it. If it will dominate the garden, make it pretty as well as functional. there are often offers at the end of the summer.

It's a bit of a therapy room for me. A bit like a man shed!!

I bring on seeds in a heated propagator in the greenhouse. I have a heater but really don't use it that often. I grow tomatoes, cues, sweet peppers, chilli peppers, aubergines and cape gooseberries. I like to try the odd new fruit variety but never stray away from my favourites!

I take the odd cutting of favourite or leggy shrubs but often forget about them. Some survive.

Last year I invested in an automatic watering system. Best £50 I have ever spent. Saved me hours of time, worry and water.