Greenhouse location

I'll soon be erecting a greenhouse 8 x 6 which will be sited where the shed is in the photos below. The sun rises between (or shines on the garden) from between the trees and shed and finally sets facing the shed door. Which way round would you orientate the new greenhouse? You can currently see the 6ft end of an 8 x 6 shed and I had thought of spinning the greenhouse 90 degrees so the 8ft side of th 8 x 6 greenhouse faces the setting sun, which way round would you do it?









Regards

Steve...

 

Side with the angled roof, which also tends to be the longest, should be south-facing or where it can get the most sun. But sometimes you have to make do with the site you have.

The more the glass is at a right-angle to the sun, the better is the light penetration

 

Thanks for your input, its much appreciated, greenhouse will now be orientated as the shed is in the Photos above.

As this strip of land gets very wet when it rains (apparently, its an old stream bed), I've decided to put flagstones down first, then two courses of bricks to set the greenhouse on. How am I best to set this out inside...we'll need a work area/bench and some shelving I guess for seedlings pots etc. Which area or areas would you keep as "full height" for things like tomoatoes etc.

I'm a greenhouse virgin and I want things set up correctly ,right from the start. So your thoughts and considerations please.

Steve...

 

I have two sets of stainless steel shelving, 1m tall, 3 shelves (including top) 1.5m long, 0.5m deep, they clip together/come apart nice and easy (shelves are similar to those in an oven), but where would be the best place to put them,I'm guessing opposite side to the sun?

I've already procurred a heater for the winter and shading for the summer, insulation will be sought through next autumn.

Any other considerations I should make?

Regards

Steve...

 

Steve, if you line the greenhouse with bubble insulation. It will also act as shading during the summer.:gnthb:

 

Steve,
Is the churchyard wall on the south side of the garden?

 

Yes it is southsideand the nearest part of the greenhouse too it will be 2 foot away if I put the greenhouse exactly where the shed is, hence my asking the original question because I can orientate the g/house either way. And I want it correctly done so I dont regret things later.

Thanks for the tip Dai .

Steve...

 

I dont know what the others might think but because of the height of the churchyard wall and the shade it might cast, have you considered having a lean-to greenhouse against your house's south-facing wall and then changing the footpath to around the greenhouse.

The greenhouse will have the benefit of obtaining heat from the walls and its easier to locate water and electricity.

Just a thought

 

Hi Steve
As we`re only a week away from the winter solstice (21st), i`d keep an eye on where the sun shines, (not much hope of any sun today though hehe) and gear the postion to take best advantage of it.

 

I don't know if it's a good question but I was wondering if winter is a good time for errecting the greenhouse? Or there is no differ with summer time?

Best regards and good luck with the greenhouse Steve!

 

Annie, winter is the ideal time for erecting a greenhouse. You are erecting it at a fairly quiet time of the gardening year. Also, it will be ready for the busiest time of the year, Spring. :gnthb:

 

I think it may depend on the type of greenhouse too.
Warmer weather is generally better for erecting polytunnels, although there`s nothing to say you can`t put the frame up in the cold to get a headstart

 

That's more or less what I'd do. The churchyard wall blocks some important light/ heat from the south but your house wall retains and radiates heat. Even if you don't go to the length/expense of a lean-to, you would still gain heat from the wall if you build the gh next to the house wall. You'll not sacrifice much light as the house is already shading the gh/shed from the north. All round light is great if you can get it, but if you can't and have a southerly aspect and a handy heat-sink (i.e. your house wall) you might as well make the best of what you've got.