Thinking about investing in a greenhouse for your garden? Before you jump in, there are several things you will need to consider. Perhaps the most significant of these things is the location of the greenhouse.
Sun Exposure
If you have any hope of growing anything in your greenhouse, you need to calculate the direction of the sun to ensure it gets a minimum of six hours of sunlight each day.
Ideally, you want to make sure the long side of your greenhouse is facing southwards, which will ensure maximal sunlight exposure. This is particularly important up north, where sunlight may be more limited. If facing the greenhouse southwards means trees or fences block the sun, try facing it south-east or south-west.
Protection From Trees
There are several downsides to putting your greenhouse beneath trees. The most obvious problem with this location is, of course, the fact that trees will likely shade your greenhouse from the sun. Depending on the type of plant you are trying to grow, this could mean your plants are starved of essential nutrients and are unlikely to thrive.
On top of this, trees can cause issues such as dirt, bird droppings, sap and algae, all of which we’re sure you’d rather didn’t accumulate on your greenhouse roof.
To avoid these issues, make sure not to build your greenhouse directly beneath or beside a tree.
Plant Type
If you know anything about gardening, you probably know that different plants need different nutrients and sunlight levels to grow properly. Some do better in direct sunlight and heat, whilst others thrive in cold and shady environments.
Before investing in a greenhouse, do some thorough research on the plants you are trying to nurture and decide where the best location would be for them.
As a general rule, flowers and vegetables tend to do better in direct sunlight. Particularly if you live in the UK, you’re probably going to want to let your plants soak up as much sun as possible. We would therefore recommend you place your greenhouse on the south or south-east side of your garden.
Ground Stability
Placing your greenhouse on unlevel ground would be a very bad idea. We also recommend avoiding the base of slopes, as it is unlikely to drain properly. This may put unnecessary stress on your structure.
Visit Outside Interests For Unparalleled Services
Maybe you’re just considering having a greenhouse installed but don’t know where to start. Maybe you know exactly what you want and just need a team of experts to finish the job. Either way, we’re here for you.
If you need some inspiration, why not pop down to our showroom in Barnham village? Our team of experts will be more than happy to help you make your decision and can offer professional advice.
Get in touch with the team at Outside Interests today. Your garden will thank you for it!
