The most important part of setting up your greenhouse is placement, besides the physical building of the structure. Without proper placement, the greenhouse will become useless and might as well become a tool shed. Deciding on what you will be using your greenhouse for, will help determine its proper placement.
First, we need to decide the use of the greenhouse. Most commonly, greenhouses are used for extending the growing season or overwintering sensitive potted plants. They can also be a transitional space for young seedlings to harden off before being planted outdoors. Another use could be for a potted winter garden or a workspace during the summer months. Defining the use of the greenhouse will help in deciding placement.
Common uses for greenhouses:
– Season extension
– Transitional space
– Overwintering protection
– Winter garden
– Workspace
South
After deciding what you will use your greenhouse for, it is time to find how the sun moves over your yard. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, giving the south-facing side of your yard the most sun (if there is no obstruction). If you want the maximum amount of sun possible, choosing a southern spot would be ideal. However, during the summer months, the greenhouse will become too hot during the day for plants to thrive. This could become a detriment if you wanted to use your greenhouse mainly in the warmer months of the year.
East and West
Putting a greenhouse on the east-facing part of your yard will give the greenhouse the morning warmth of the sun but may not provide adequate sun throughout the day for proper growth. If you place it on the west-facing part of your yard, it will warm the greenhouse up before the night to help keep a more consistent temperature during the night. I have personally placed a greenhouse on the west side of my property, which starts to get sunlight about midday and lasts until dusk.
North
North placement is not recommended; it will provide little to no light during the colder months. Depending on how significant the obstruction is (house, trees, fences), it may also get little sun during the summer.
Final thoughts
Most gardeners recommend placing your greenhouse on the south-facing side of your yard. Positioning the greenhouse, so the length (long side) faces south, and the ends face east and west. This is great for a greenhouse, which is mainly used in the winter but will become way too hot during the summer. It’s essential to think about the actual use of the greenhouse. Positioning your greenhouse south is great until you get one sunny day in early spring when the greenhouse overheats, and temperatures fluctuate too drastically.
Green Garden Nursery 