Best place to site a greenhouse
AngieR
Posts: 347
A neighbour has recently gifted me a greenhouse since they are moving away and can't take it with them. I decided I would kill two birds with one stone, remove some old decking and replace my old shed (too large) with something a bit smaller which would help me accommodate the greenhouse without loosing too much planting space.
My original intentions had been to house them both in the same area side by side - I have marked out the size of the shed with gravel etc in this first picture to get an idea of size etc. Since I started working in the area I wonder now if the greenhouse might be too shaded by the shed, hedging and other structures in winter.
Should I consider putting the greenhouse on the other side of the garden? Having them face to face so to speak. In the image below it would be in a spot over my side of the fence from my neighbours greenhouse, roughly where the Helenium is currently blooming.
Having never had a greenhouse before I am hoping to get its position right first time and not have second thoughts 6 months down the line. I might even be over thinking it, who knows?
Can anyone offer me any advice or considerations that I need to take into account?
Primarily I will be using the greenhouse to over winter some of my borderline plants and have no doubt come summer will be trying some tomatoes etc.
Thanking you all in advance and hope this under the correct topic.
Posts
Which direction is North in your garden?
I've added a little N and arrow in the 2nd picture Ceres. If I stand facing the neighbour's shed I am facing north. Roughly just below that is where I want to put the greenhouse.
Is it the greenhouse in the second pic? Your north corner would be fine although it looks like you will have to move a few plants out of the way. Make sure you leave enough room around it for clear access for maintenance.
Your garden faces the same direction as mine. I have my greenhouse in the far bottom right corner (as per your photo). It's going to obscure anything behind it (except the shed which might be well hidden there). It's in the sun all day as the garden is long enough that it isn't put into shade by the house, this looks to be true of your garden also.
Everything thrives in it, especially tomatoes so I think it's in a good position.
Thank you all for your most welcome input.
Steephill - No the greenhouse in question is still in bits waiting to be assembled but you are right I need to move a few plants first and thanks for the advice leaving space for maintenance. Another reason for not having it side by side with the shed.
BobFlannigon - thanks for your comments. Good to know everything thrives in your GH on a similar aspect. I'm excited about trying some tomatoes next year now.
Philippasmith2 - I can see why that would work. If I can clear out a few more plants there is no reason I can't have the ridge running from east to west 'ish' direction. I'll keep that in mind when moving the plants. A job I'm not looking forward too, I should add!
Now thats interesting philippa, because I was always told greenhouses had to be as South facing as far as possible to optimise the sun. But I have 3 all different aspects, you have to work with what you have got, one of mine is next door to the sheds, still gets like an inferno, in the sun. Two were already here, we added a third near the veg plot,If you get a lot of sun Angi, I wouldnt keep tomatoes in a greenhouse, sow them in there by all means, then keep them in pots,so you can take them outside. Three years ago,we got blossom end rot, because it was so hot during the day in March, then normal nights temps. I would give the greenhouse a go, where you suggest, it still gives you a longer growing season each end of the year.