A greenhouse is an excellent way to cultivate greens all year. It can provide a stable, warm environment for plants, allowing them to grow at their best.
A greenhouse is a structure with transparent walls and ceilings constructed of glass, PU materials, and other materials, in which plants are cultivated under highly controlled conditions. Greenhouses come in a variety of sizes, from small to commercial.
You can read our dedicated blog if you want to know more about greenhouse and its uses.
You may also get a head start on the growing season by planting plants like tomatoes and peppers beforehand in a greenhouse and then moving them to the garden in the right season.
Whatever the reason, you can choose a greenhouse that complements your style, gardening needs, and tastes.
Nevertheless, before purchasing a greenhouse for your garden, consider its placement. Doing so is important because locating your greenhouse in the wrong location can lead to disappointment.
So, where is the ideal location for a greenhouse? We will talk about positioning a greenhouse right here in this blog.
Why Install a Greenhouse?
The answer is simple- to grow green all year round.
In addition to this fundamental requirement, you can create a greenhouse to keep your plants safe. A greenhouse provides plants with a stable and safe shelter from the outdoors, poor weather, pests, and illnesses by being a barrier between the environment and what you’re cultivating.
But all of this is possible if you place your greenhouse properly and maintain it properly.
Did we mention that the right greenhouse can bring beauty to your backyard?
Where to Install a Greenhouse?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: where should a greenhouse be installed?
You simply cannot (or should not) place a greenhouse anywhere in your backyard. While preparing to install these special “homes” for plants, certain considerations must be made.
One of the best ways to decode the greenhouse’s positioning is to consider what you want to grow in it and what size (of the greenhouse) you prefer.
For example, if you are a home gardener who wants to grow plants just for gardening, you may need a mini greenhouse or a cold frame.
A larger greenhouse would, however, be required if you wanted to use it for commercial purposes. Keep in mind the size of your yard before deciding on size. You do not want a greenhouse that is larger than your yard.
Aside from size, the sort of plants you intend to produce will be a deciding factor in the location of your greenhouse. We say so because some plants demand a consistent exposure of 6-7 hours daily while others need the afternoon shade.
Other important factors include the sun’s direction, the sunlight’s intensity, the greenhouse’s building material, and other elements such as water, electricity, and so on.
10 Tips on Choosing the Best Spot for Greenhouse
A greenhouse is relatively simple to construct. What is more difficult is constructing it in the proper location and position. But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Here are the top 10 tips to help you choose the perfect site for your greenhouse. This part will be a thorough one covering the specifics of locating the ideal site for your greenhouse so that it gives optimal results with little work.
1. The Sunlight
Let’s shed some light on “sunlight.”
A greenhouse must receive adequate sunlight. Although the number will vary depending on the plants you grow in it, we recommend placing a greenhouse where it will receive 6-8 hours of daily sunlight.
Whatever plant you choose to grow, the bottom line is that photosynthesis requires light. Low light equals reduced photosynthesis, which means less food production by plants, forcing them to grow slowly and produce fewer flowers and fruits. Hence, it is vital to establish how and how much sunlight will reach your greenhouse.
But what if your chosen location does not receive enough sunlight? You can either install artificial greenhouse grow lights or adjust your chosen location. We recommend the second option.
2. Water Supply
Your plants would require water for irrigation regularly. And it might be a nightmare if your water source is located distant from your greenhouse.
Although a long hose pipe may be sufficient for a short distance, it is usually best to locate the greenhouse near a reliable water supply source.
3. The Climate and Ground
Before erecting a greenhouse, you should also consider the surrounding climate of your yard or lawn. Let’s go deep.
The first thing to consider while choosing a location for greenhouse construction is the zone in which you live (arid, tropical, humid, etc.). It is critical to locate your greenhouse following your local zone.
For example, if you live in a dry environment, try to locate your greenhouse in a damp area and keep in mind that it should receive midday shade from the searing heat. This is critical for preserving your plants over the summer’s dry and heat weather.
Similarly, if you intend to build your greenhouse in a windy area, locate it near some obstacles, such as hedges or big trees, to protect it from heavy winds.
Consider the soil in addition to the climate. Ensure your greenhouse is not installed in a wet region with poor drainage. Otherwise, the likelihood of insect infestation is considerable.
Keep the greenhouse’s stability in consideration as well. An unleveled ground will cause your greenhouse to collapse and ruin its structural integrity.
Also Read: 6 Best Greenhouse Evaporative Coolers (Buyer’s Guide)
4. The Soil
This is the point for individuals who intend to cultivate plants directly on the soil bed within their greenhouses. First, choose a location with good soil.
The area should have a strong drainage system, an appropriate pH level, be rich in nutrients or organic matter, and be free of stones or rocks. It is also critical to select soil free of insects and pests.
5. Room for Expansion
When installing for the first time, leave at least 1m of room around your structure. It will make it simpler to install panels or covers that require more room. In addition, leaving this space open ensures that there is ample room for proper ventilation.
Furthermore, one thing to remember during the installation is that there is enough space for future structural extension.
You may feel you only need an acre or two is just enough right now, but what about in a few years?
Plants grow really quickly, and you may run out of space and need to update and enlarge your greenhouse. Without sufficient room, the upgrade would be clumsy, almost impossible.
6. Safety
When deciding where to put your greenhouse, don’t skimp on safety.
But how are you going to do it? Let’s look at an example. When growing plants in a greenhouse, insecticides and other potentially toxic items must be stored.
As a result, please ensure that your greenhouse is not positioned in an area where it may cause problems for local flora or fauna. Check with local regulatory organizations to confirm your prospective site is correctly zoned.
Another option to ensure safety compliance is selecting a location at least two feet above the expected flooding line. Furthermore, choose a location that is not likely to be affected by strong winds or storms.
7. No Pest Zone
Nothing is more annoying than pesky pests. So, stay away from areas that are prone to pest infestation. Additionally, choose a greenhouse with a closed door and window facilities.
Further, if your neighbors are also growing plants, create a protective barrier between them and your greenhouse to avoid pest problems.
8. Utilities
You could argue that a simple greenhouse can function without any complex utilities. We do not reject your claim.
However, if your structure is modern and mechanized, it will require commodities such as water supply, energy supply, and so on. Keeping this in mind, choose a location with easy access to these basic amenities.
9. Direction
Most of the advice above will be useless if you install your greenhouse in the wrong direction. This is because direction and sunshine exposure are inextricably linked. So please take a look at the pointers below to comprehend it better.
- North: Too shady
- South: Hot, if there is full sun
- East: Full morning sun
- West: Appropriate afternoon sun
You can observe how different directions and times of day alter your plant’s exposure to the sun.
Plan the location of your greenhouse based on the dominating climatic zone in your area. Consider the following example:
If you are growing plants in the winter or the northern hemisphere, the best orientation for your greenhouse is one that allows for more light penetration. As a result, it is recommended to place your structure’s roof crest east-west, with the sides facing north and south.
Remember that determining the proper orientation for your greenhouse can be difficult. But don’t despair; there is always the possibility of additional assistance.
For example, if you believe you will not receive enough natural sunshine via your greenhouse, you can supplement it with artificial grow lights.
10. Types of Plants You are Growing
Lastly, examine the type of plants you intend to grow inside your greenhouse while deciding where to place your structure. This is significant since not all plants require the same amount of sunlight.
For example, your greenhouse won’t require much sunlight if you’re producing lettuce, peas, carrots, or broccoli. These plants can even tolerate winter unless you live in a location where temperatures drop to dangerously low levels.
On the contrary, plants such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers require a temperature of 55 to 85 degrees F.
These plants demand additional heat and light as well. If you are cultivating these plants, be sure that your greenhouse has full sun exposure.
FAQs
No, installing a greenhouse anywhere is not advised. Before deciding on the best location for the construction, consider numerous elements such as solar exposure, soil quality, accessibility, and so on.
A greenhouse should normally be exposed to direct sunlight for at least 6-8 hours every day. This amount, however, will vary based on the type of plants you are growing in the greenhouse. Sun-loving plants require full-day sun exposure, whilst shade-loving plants do not require that.
No, installing a greenhouse in the complete shade is not advised. Although your plants may not require full-day sunlight, they will require heat to thrive inside the structure.
If you believe your greenhouse is getting too much sun, you can cover its roof with shade cloth. However, always remember that providing shade is easier than providing adequate heat.
However, if you live in a region with limited sunlight, you will require additional grow lights to keep the proper heat level inside.
Every day, greenhouses demand six hours of direct or full spectrum light. In the lack of natural daylight, you can use artificial grow lights.
Summary
There is no doubt that greenhouses can help with a variety of gardening issues. They are ideal for growing plants in a controlled atmosphere all year. However, the structure must be installed in the proper location for this to happen.
While consistent sun exposure is required for photosynthesis, too much heat within the greenhouse can cook your plant.
Actually, selecting the most suitable location for a greenhouse may be a challenging task because several criteria should be considered. Nevertheless, with thorough research and the assistance of our blog, your entire process can become smoother and less stressful.