Greenhouse Orientation

[Chris Stopher]

Hello to you all
Newbie question, first of many over the next few months I should imagine 
I’m getting an 8’ x 8’ greenhouse next month with 2 x double roof vents and 6 louvres and want to set it up for alpines, bulbs and maybe some cacti. It’s not the perfect set up as it will back onto a garage (North facing garden) with one half of the GH in sun all day and the other half in shade until approx 4pm when it gets full sun in summer.
Common sense tells me to put the door end of the GH in the sun and the other end with louvers in the shade. However, I often work 12hr shifts and think the GH and plants would be more protected if the wind got up if the door was at the shady end, protected somewhat by the garage. 
Any advice would be appreciated as I don’t want to make a silly mistake right at the beginning of my alpine journey 

[Maggi Young]

Hello and welcome, Chris!

In chatting about this with my  other half, we reckon that you should put the door in the shady end.  You  can always add shade but not sun and light.  Bulbs will enjoy the sunnier part - getting more light in winter and warmth in summer.  Most alpines will prefer a shadier situation, being very easily schorched in hot sun, and being near the door end will give them more air.

A few Forum threads which  may be a help  to you - these are threads which are most relevant  to your query I think....
http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=13208.0

http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=5161.0

 and this one, where another Chris describes  the building of a glasshouse in the Western Isles - one of the windiest places in the UK - there must be some useful there for you!

http://www.srgc.net/forum/index.php?topic=11519.0

That'll give you something to chew over and we'll see what other options/opinions others come up with.

Might help to know where in England you live - to see how hot  your glasshouse is likely to get.

 Cheers,
 Maggi

[ArdfearnAli]

Hello there,
                I agree with putting put the door at the sheltered end. It means you can leave it open even on very windy days. I have one in the open and can't leave the door open on very windy days without the risk of damage to the greenhouse and plants. Its amazing how hot a greenhouse can get even with the vents open but with the door closed. If its near the garage and you have power there you could also fit a circulation fan and a cooling stat for days when its hot and sunny but calm. Just remember if putting electricity into a green house to protect yourself with an RCD as there will be water in the greenhouse!

Alasdair

[Chris Stopher]

Thanks Maggi and Alasdair,
I will take take your advice and fix the Greenhouse with the door in the shaded protected location.

[Maggi Young]

So long as you have fun with the whole project, Chris!