where should you put a greenhouse

by Mr. Aric Daugherty IV Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

The Best Position for a Greenhouse

Position Your Greenhouse for Plenty of Sunlight. When it comes to best positioning a greenhouse, one of the most...
Position the Greenhouse on Level Ground. Your greenhouse needs to be located on level ground to avoid any potential...
Situate the Greenhouse Away From Trees. Greenhouses should also be positioned away from trees to avoid...

Generally, the best spot for a greenhouse is on the south or southeast side of the house in a sunny area that gets the most sun from fall through winter (November to February in most places). If this option doesn't exist, the next best location for the greenhouse is the east side.Feb 11, 2021

Full Answer

Where is the best location for a greenhouse?

Orient your greenhouse. An east-west orientation will give your plants slightly more light during the winter; a north-south orientation is better for summer crops. ...
Position your greenhouse away from trees. ...
Choose a level site for your greenhouse. ...
Protect your greenhouse from wind. ...
Position your greenhouse in a convenient spot. ...

What is the best orientation for a greenhouse?

Why does greenhouse location matter?

Sun exposure. If your greenhouse or building site is close to structures or trees, think twice about the placement.
Wind exposure. Is it a windy site? Is it at high elevation? ...
Drainage. You can build too high, but you can also build too low. ...
Slope. The final building site for your greenhouse should be flat. ...

How to site a greenhouse to receive the most Sun?

Where to site a greenhouse

Ensure your greenhouse has plenty of light. Don’t put your greenhouse directly under trees. ...
Site your greenhouse where it’s convenient. ...
Set your greenhouse on level ground. ...
Site your greenhouse east to west. ...
Make sure there’s space around your greenhouse. ...
Provide good soil in your greenhouse. ...

How to site a greenhouse?

It’s usually best to build wall frames for a glass greenhouse on the ground or other flat surface and then raise them into place.
For a relatively simple greenhouse, build an A-frame roof with rafters.
You may need to cut your greenhouse glass or have it cut to fit. ...
Install the glass panels after the frame is up.

Where should you not put a greenhouse?

Don't put your greenhouse directly under trees. They'll cast shade, which encourages green algae to build up, blocking even more light, while falling branches and leaves can cause damage and block guttering. Honeydew from insects on the foliage of trees can make the glass or plastic sticky and dirty.

Does a greenhouse need to be in full sun?

Generally, a greenhouse should get full sun, at least 6 hours per day, especially during the winter. Site your greenhouse to avoid shadows from buildings & trees, since many plants do best in full sun. However, in especially sunny climates, high altitude areas, or for shade-loving plants, partial shade can be better.

How do you know where to put a greenhouse?

0:087:20The Best Location for Your Greenhouse & Setup Tips - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWelcome to the garden. Today I'm gonna help you pick the best location to set up a new greenhouse.MoreWelcome to the garden. Today I'm gonna help you pick the best location to set up a new greenhouse. You want at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight. So you might want to walk around in the

Should you open your greenhouse everyday?

Open all doors and vents on sunny days. These can be left open at night if the temperature remains high. It is sometimes necessary to temporarily remove panes from glasshouses to assist ventilation in heat waves. Fit automatic vent openers to ensure roof vents open even when you are not around.

How often should you water plants in a greenhouse?

No rule that says one must water a greenhouse plant every day as every plant has different needs. Some may need watering every day, while others may not. Whatever plant you are cultivating, please do some research regarding its water needs. If you do this, you can't go wrong and over water or underwater.

Can I put a greenhouse in my front garden?

You must apply for full planning permission to erect a garden building, greenhouse or shed in your garden.

Can greenhouses be in the shade?

Can I put a greenhouse in the shade? Even though you can grow shade-loving fruits and vegetables, you can't put a greenhouse in the shade. It has to be in full sun because not only the amount of sunlight matters but the heat it produces. It is easier to provide shade rather than extra direct sun.

What can you grow in a greenhouse for beginners?

Easy plants for greenhouse startersRadishes.Peas.Strawberries.Garlic.Leafy greens like lettuce.Tomatoes.Onions.Potatoes.More items...•

Can a greenhouse be put in the shade?

Do plants get enough sun in a plastic greenhouse?

Plastic is a thicker material than glass, so another benefit is that it spreads out light more evenly. This process is known as light diffusion. The plastic diffuses the sunlight equally throughout the mini greenhouse, so if you have multiple plants growing in there, none will be deprived.

Is morning or afternoon sun better for greenhouse?

When building a greenhouse full sun exposure, water drainage, and protection from wind should be considered. Consider both morning and afternoon sun when situating your greenhouse location. Ideally, sun all day is best but morning sunlight on the east side is sufficient for plants.

How much light does a greenhouse need?

six hoursGreenhouses generally require six hours of direct or full spectrum light each day. If this can't be done naturally, supplemental lighting must be incorporated. Supplemental lighting is the use of multiple, high-intensity artificial lights to promote crop growth and yield.

How to visit a greenhouse?

Site your greenhouse where it’s convenient. Opening a greenhouse window. As you’ll be visiting your greenhouse regularly, particularly during the summer, make sure it’s easy to get to and as near to the house as possible. Whether your visits are for damping down, daily watering, opening and shutting doors and vents, ...

Can you put a greenhouse under a tree?

Don’t put your greenhouse directly under trees. They’ll cast shade, which encourages green algae to build up, blocking even more light, while falling branches and leaves can cause damage and block guttering. Honeydew from insects on the foliage of trees can make the glass or plastic sticky and dirty.

What is it like to walk into a greenhouse?

Walking into a greenhouse on a mild, but breezy day is a lovely experience. Still and warm, the air is filled with the gentle aroma of growing plants. As well as being a place to grow things, a greenhouse can also make a very pleasant setting for a drink or some lunch – set up a bistro set and some solar powered lights and it’s the ideal spot from which to enjoy your garden at the end of a busy day.

How much space do you need to keep a greenhouse from freezing?

Image: Eag1eEyes. Sheltering your greenhouse from cold winds will keep things warmer inside, but make sure there’s at least 1 metre of space around the entire outside perimeter. This gives you access to all sides in case a panel needs replacing, and makes it much easier to clean the glass.

How to give your garden the best chance?

To give your plants and seedlings the best chance, you should set your greenhouse up somewhere that gets lots of sunshine, plenty of natural daylight and that is protected from harsh winds and frost pockets.

Is a plastic greenhouse a permanent structure?

Image: PJ Photography. Unless you have a portable plastic greenhouse that’s easy to move, selecting the perfect place for your greenhouse is important as it's a permanent structure. Here are the things you’ll need to consider and some tips to ensure your greenhouse is located in the best possible position.

Can you grow plants in a greenhouse all year round?

If you want to grow plants in your greenhouse all year round, including during the winter, make sure the ridge of the roof runs east-west to maximise light during the darkest months . However, if you’re just going to use your greenhouse in spring and summer, it’s better if the ridge runs north-south so both sides of the greenhouse get an equal ...

Can you collect rainwater from a greenhouse?

A position closer to the house will also make it more convenient to nip out for fresh fruit and vegetables whilst you’re cooking in the kitchen. If you don’t have the perfect spot close to amenities, you can always collect rainwater from the greenhouse’s gutters to fill water butts.

Can you use high walls as a windbreak?

However, it can be useful to use high walls, tall hedges and trees as a windbreak, provided they’re a suitable distance to provide shelter without blocking light. Wind chill factor can hugely reduce the interior temperature of your greenhouse so an effective barrier keeps plants warm and prevents wind damage during storms.

How to position a freestanding greenhouse?

Orient a freestanding greenhouse so that the ridge runs from East to West. This orientations ensures that the largest side will get full southern sun exposure. However, if you are choosing a site for a lean-to structure, you need to place it against a west-facing wall. If you position it against a south wall, greenhouse will get too hot in summer.

How do you start a greenhouse for beginners?

Although you can use a greenhouse all year round, if you are a beginner, you should start using it in March and April. The freezing temperatures have passed and you can start warm season crops which will germinate in 4 to 8 weeks.

When should you start a greenhouse?

What is the difference between a freestanding greenhouse and an attached greenhouse?

Whilst freestanding greenhouse allows maximum amount of light and ventilation, the problem is with it being far away from water and heating supplies.

What are the main components of a greenhouse?

The main structural components are main frame, door, eaves, ridge bar, roof, side vents and glazing material . Depending on the use of greenhouse and materials it is made of, you might need to have base and floor.

How to separate a greenhouse into zones?

So what I recommend to do is to separate a greenhouse into zones. Use plastic cover to separate the structure and insulate one part with bubble wrap. You can also install a heater to keep the temperatures high for cold-sensitive plants. Do the same for germination and propagation zones.

Why do you need a shelf in a greenhouse?

Shelves and benches help to organize the space inside a greenhouse efficiently. You can keep pots, growing media, composts and gardening tools all in one place. Also, it helps to take care of the plants. For example, you can keep the plants with the same requirements on one bench.

What makes a good greenhouse floor?

Factors that make the best greenhouse flooring for you: 1. Flexibility. The type of flooring you choose has an impact on the decision to change or erect you first greenhouse. For example, if you want to expand your existing greenhouse or buy a new one, a permanent concrete slab can be a problem.

What is the best floor for a greenhouse?

The best floor for a greenhouse is using a polypropylene ground cover to keep out weeds and pests and covering it with pea gravel. Pea gravel is cheap and easy to install. It provides good drainage and porous ground cover will allow water to drain through the fabric . This simple greenhouse flooring is easy to assemble in a new location, ...

How to clean a greenhouse with gravel?

Just shovel the gravel into the wheelbarrow and rinse with water. Then spread the gravel on the fabric and dry for an hour in the sun. Give it a clean annually as a part of the greenhouse deep clean. Once you moved gravel into the wheelbarrow, take care of the ground cover.

How long does gravel last in a greenhouse?

With proper care and maintenance, a gravel greenhouse flooring can last for many years. Pea gravel doesn’t decompose, however, it can sink into the soil. Polypropylene ground cover is 6mm to 8mm thick, so it is a heavy plastic.

Why is pea gravel used in greenhouses?

That is why pea gravel is a good option. It absorbs heat from the sun and releases it into the surrounding environment during the day and night.

Does pea gravel keep the greenhouse warm?

Moreover, pea gravel can actually increase the temperature inside the greenhouse and it adds glare from reflected light. Although laying plastic ground cover on the cold ground won’t keep the cold out as it is porous, it serves as a weed barrier.

Can you move a greenhouse with polypropylene?

This simple greenhouse flooring is easy to assemble in a new location, so you don’t need to worry about moving your greenhouse if you have to. Polypropylene ground cover is porous, so it lets water soak through the fabric. Make sure to cover the fabric with 3 to 4 inches of gravel completely.

How to keep greenhouse from cooling?

Ventilate the greenhouse during the hotter part of the day so it does not have a temperature spike, and make sure cooling fans are turned off and ventilation windows are closed well before night or cloud cover to prevent excessive cooling .

How to protect a greenhouse from trees?

To protect your structure and whatever is growing inside, consider the placement of nearby trees and locate accordingly. If your greenhouse already has issues with trees, serious pruning or even removal are other options.

What is the best place to grow mold and fungus?

6. Encouraging fungus. Unfortunately, warm, moist environments are the ideal places for mold and fungus to grow. If the relative humidity in your greenhouse is high (over 85%), there is little air circulation, and water or dew is sitting on the leaves, mildew will grow.

Why do we need a greenhouse?

However, because plants are such complex living things, the actual practice of growing plants in a greenhouse requires a little bit ...

Why use shade cloth in greenhouse?

Because these are two separate things, shade cloth used in conjunction with ventilation will prevent heat damage and reduce how much water your plants need . The shade cloth works by blocking some solar radiation from the plants themselves.

Why is it important to manage the soil in a greenhouse?

Soil management in a greenhouse is similar to the rest of your garden, but with a few extra challenges. Because you’re often growing the same things in the same spot over and over, the soil can easily become compacted, lose fertility, and attract pests.

What is the ideal temperature for a greenhouse?

Generally, the ideal summer temperature for a greenhouse is 75-85° F during the day and 60-76° F at night. In the winter, this changes to 65-70° F in the day and 45° at night.

What do you need to know before installing a greenhouse?

Image by SutidaS. Before installing, you may want to consider your options for the floor of a greenhouse. Floors are the foundation of the greenhouse in more ways than one. They need to allow for good drainage, insulate the greenhouse from cold, keep out weeds and pests, and they also need to be comfortable for you.

What is the least beneficial flooring for a greenhouse?

Mulch flooring is the least beneficial of flooring material for greenhouses. While it is cheap, it can’t be cleaned and, in fact, harbors bacteria and fungi. It also decomposes rapidly. Bricks add humidity to the greenhouse. They should be laid over a layer of sand to improve stability and drainage.

What is a greenhouse foundation made of?

A greenhouse foundation can be made of wood and filled with crushed stone or gravel and overlaid with weed cloth. This floor is well-draining and easy to clean, easy to install, and fairly inexpensive.

Is lava rock good for greenhouse flooring?

Lava and landscape rock are an attractive greenhouse flooring idea. Lava rock soaks up water and adds to the humidity level but neither lava nor landscape rock is easy to clean. They are easy materials to utilize; however, they can be expensive.

Can you put concrete on a greenhouse floor?

Concrete will also reflect light and retain heat throughout the day. Concrete isn’t the only option available for the floor of a greenhouse, though.

Can greenhouse vinyl be used as a path?

Specialty greenhouse vinyl tiles are gaining a following due to their ease of cleaning and excellent drainage. They can be used as a path or laid over an entire foundation.

Can greenhouse flooring be laid over a foundation?

They can be used as a path or laid over an entire foundation. Many types of greenhouse flooring are suited to the task as long as they are easy to clean and drain well . If you choose to forego a poured concrete foundation, install a weed mat barrier over bare dirt or gravel.