Updated at: 28-10-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Is it better to face a small greenhouse north or south? It is crucial to pay attention to the smallest details when cultivating in your greenhouse since there are many variables that can influence the final product’s quality.

The direction the greenhouse should face is one of the many factors to consider. What is the reason for this? The direction of travel is equally as important as the soil or the methods being used.

If you have a greenhouse that is oriented directly toward the southern side, you must ensure that it receives the most sunshine possible. Even if you’re in a place with lower temperatures or an area where overheating is a problem, you should still take this into account. Tropical weather is relevant here.

As a result, it is imperative that you obtain advice from individuals in the neighborhood on where to put your greenhouse, and which way a hobby-sized greenhouse should face the weather conditions.

The Side That The Hobby Greenhouse Should Face

This problem has a solution. It is imperative that you locate your greenhouse in a location that receives as much sunshine as possible for your plants. The building’s southeast location must be the initial option when considering the location. The crops should be fine with just a few hours of early sunlight on the eastern half of the farm.

Which Way Should A Hobby Size Greenhouse Face - Krostrade

In the months of November through February, the east side of the building must receive adequate sunlight. This is followed by locations to the southeast and west of the primary structures, where plants can receive sunshine later in the day. This is essential. When it comes to light, the northern portion of the construction should be the least preferred.

Deciduous Trees

Are there any deciduous trees in the area? These trees, such as maples and oaks, must be able to effectively shield the greenhouse from the sun’s sweltering rays as the day wears on.

Because they tend to shade the leaves in the autumn, these trees need to be able to withstand more exposure to the winter light.

In order to be effective, evergreen trees must have year-round foliage and should be situated in such a way that they shade your greenhouse so that trees that receive less sun can be blocked at any time. Farmers must also be able to adjust the amount of sunlight the greenhouse receives throughout the winter months, especially if they plan to utilize it year-round.

This time of year is ideal for long shadows to be cast by structures and evergreen trees because the sun is lower in the sky.

Drainage

Drainage must also be perfect in order to give plants the best possible care. When necessary, it should be simpler to construct a greenhouse over your existing ground so that water may drain away more easily. Site needs, lighting, electrical power, heat, and wind protection are also important considerations.

There should be a way for people to get into the greenhouse when there are visitors. Plant potting and storage areas should be in the immediate area.

How Do You Use A Greenhouse For Beginners?

When you have the directions and sides of the hobby greenhouse, how do you use the greenhouse? Beginner and experienced gardeners alike will find the usage of a greenhouse to be rewarding. However, before making a final decision, it is essential to conduct thorough study about the many planter and growth alternatives available.

Moisture, weather, and temperature all come into play. In addition, there are several things to bear in mind.

There are a number of easy-to-grow plants in a greenhouse that you should keep an eye out for.

Invest in containers for the crops, use extra fertilizer, and be more creative when it comes to seed preparation. Make sure the weather can handle your plants as well.

Lighting should be monitored based on the amount of daylight available, the current season, and the sort of plant that you are currently growing.. It’s also important to remember to water your plants. Many methods exist, but one of the finest practices is to not allow your crops to become underwatered.

Accessories such as potting benches, mist mechanisms and shelving are also available for you to use. The thermometer can also be prepared.

The field should now be applied to pest management for new greenhouse owners. Anthracnose is one of the most prevalent diseases transmitted by these parasitic worms.

When Should You Start Using A Greenhouse?

As many gardeners may not realize, the orientation of a hobby greenhouse is directly tied to the time of year it is used. Pay attention to the specifics.

From the beginning of March until the end of April, start your greenhouse warm-season crops. Keep in mind that crops germinate in little more than eight weeks, so they may not be able to take much frost.

Ventilation is a must. Crops can benefit from vents, especially if you keep everything in line with your plans.

What Direction Should a Greenhouse Face?

Your greenhouse should face south or southeast if you live in the northern hemisphere. Plants will stay warm and happy because of this, since it allows your greenhouse to receive the maximum amount of sunlight possible. Avoid orienting your greenhouse toward the north as a general rule, as it receives the least amount of sunshine on average (unless you reside in the Southern Hemisphere). Creating a sun chart path will help you determine exactly how much sunlight your potential greenhouse location receives throughout the day to see if it meets the six-hour requirement.

A Beginner's Guide to Using a Hobby Greenhouse ~ Homestead and Chill

Plants can burn if exposed to too much sunlight in a greenhouse, even if it is necessary. This is especially true if you reside in a region with little to no trees to provide shade. The most important consideration when locating your greenhouse is access to sunlight, but your plants will benefit from some shade as well, so a few trees or some leaves should be fine as long as they don’t produce a massive shadow and prevent your plants from getting enough sunlight.

How to Control the Temperature in a Greenhouse

In addition to determining the optimal orientation for a greenhouse, you’ll want to ensure that the temperature within the structure remains constant. To keep your plants from freezing or becoming too hot, there are solutions for both hot and cold climates.

Set up a ventilation system to move heated air out and bring cool air in if you want to keep your greenhouse from getting too hot. Installing solar-powered vents, roll-up windows, or fans is one way to achieve this. If your plants need some shade, you can use tarps or other coverings to keep the temperature down.

You’ll need a heating system if you live in an area that is subject to cold temperatures throughout the year. Generators, gas or electric heaters, and portable heaters are all possibilities for heating your home. Heating systems are very useful in greenhouses in warm climates, especially if the temperature drops significantly after the sun sets.

What Materials Are Best for Building a Greenhouse?

To let in as much light as possible, most greenhouses are constructed with a wood or metal framework and siding made of glass or translucent plastic sheets or panels. In addition to allowing heat to enter and keep plants warm, these popular siding options also look great.

When it comes to hoop houses, they’re referred to as “small greenhouses” because they’re created with heavy plastic sheets over a wire or plastic framework. Greenhouses have heating and ventilation systems in place, but hoop houses don’t, which is the main difference between the two. Although the expense of a hoop house is lower than that of a greenhouse, it requires more monitoring to guarantee that plants are kept at a comfortable temperature.

What makes a good greenhouse location?

  • Access to all the light
  • Identify any adjacent trees or structures that could shade the greenhouse if it has only a limited amount of shading. The importance of shadows diminishes during the warmer months, when shade can aid prevent heat gain. During the summer, deciduous trees can provide some shade, but in the winter, their leaves fall off, allowing the greenhouse to get full sunlight. Determine when the object is likely to block off sunlight.
  • Greenhouses need upkeep, and they should be located in a place where you can readily reach there.

Attached or detached?

A greenhouse can be a terrific addition to a home if built against a south-facing wall. There are a number of advantages to greenhouses that are attached to each other.

  • The greenhouse’s North wall can be provided by the next structure. A well-insulated side of the greenhouse, such as this one, can help keep the temperature and weather out.
  • Closeness to your home and quick access to the greenhouse are major advantages.
  • Availability of water and electricity
  • Passive heating for a residence can be obtained from a greenhouse if it is connected to the building via an aperture or door. Thermal mass and other passive solar design aspects are ideal for this application. To avoid overheating or overcooling in conventional dwellings, utilize glazing carefully.
  • Becomes a stunning addition to your home. Custom designs and siding are available at Ceres to match your home’s style and boost the value of your property.

There are a number of drawbacks to having a solar greenhouse attached to your home:

  • As a result of the high humidity, water will condense on every surface in a greenhouse. Any exposed surface, such as the siding on your house, must be able to withstand high humidity. Inquire with us about how you can secure your valuables from harm.
  • A construction permit may be required if a new structure is built on top of an old one. More stringent regulations than those required for a separate greenhouse can be found here. Consult your local government.

To get the impression of an attached greenhouse but avoid some of the building constraints that come with permits, you can simply build the greenhouse a few feet away from the main structure and then build a false wall joining the two together (shown in the orange greenhouse below). Check with the county to see if there are any limits on off-sets. Alternatively, you may add a tiny walkway between the two buildings.

What if it can’t face directly South?

Ideally, a greenhouse should face south, but if that isn’t an option, a greenhouse facing south west or south east can work. As a result of the morning sun, South East is preferred to South West in terms of greenhouse temperature. The coldest period of the night is just before dawn, thus this helps the plants recover from stress. By illuminating plants with light earlier in the day, the morning sun can “wake them up” and stimulate photosynthesis.

It’s best to avoid a greenhouse that faces South-West or West-West. It is possible to overheat a greenhouse in the afternoon, when the sun is at its warmest. When it comes to choosing a time of day to get the most out of the winter sun, the climate in which you live has an impact.

28 DIY Backyard Greenhouses - Cheap and Simple DIY Greenhouse

When creating a greenhouse, we don’t advocate building it unless you’re willing to accept some limitations in what you can plant. Plant accordingly if this is the only choice available to you. East-facing greenhouses are excellent for cool-weather, low-light crops. West-facing greenhouses are ideal for heat-loving crops such as tomatoes and peppers, but you may need to supplement light to ensure good fruiting. Is there anything I can do to help you out? If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us

What about a sloped site?

A solar greenhouse might be a fantastic addition to a property with a south-facing hillside. On the north side of the greenhouse, the dirt acts as an insulator and a shield. There is, however, a price to pay in terms of time and effort. In order to bear the added soil pressure, you’ll need an effective north structural wall. A slab or footer is typically used in conjunction with the construction of a concrete retaining wall, as seen in the illustration below. Structural support for the side walls is also required. Furthermore, the ground on the other side of all of these walls will freeze much like the air.