Who this guide is for
- Homeowners adding a greenhouse to the garden
- Gardeners wanting the best growing conditions
- People weighing where a greenhouse fits the space
- Anyone planning access and services for one
Sun and orientation
Greenhouses need good light, so a spot that gets plenty of sun, especially through the growing season, is the priority. Orientation and avoiding heavy shade from buildings, trees and fences for much of the day strongly affect performance.
Observe where sun falls across the day and seasons before committing. A bright, open position usually serves a greenhouse best, while deep shade undermines it.
- Greenhouses need plenty of light
- Avoid heavy shade from buildings and trees
- Orientation affects light through the day
- Observe sun across seasons before siting
Wind shelter and exposure
A very exposed, windy spot stresses a greenhouse structure and makes it harder to keep stable temperatures, while some shelter helps. However, the shelter should not come at the cost of light or airflow.
Aim for a position with some protection from the harshest wind but still open to light. Hedges and fences can shelter without heavily shading if placed thoughtfully.
- Exposed, windy spots stress the structure
- Some shelter aids temperature stability
- Shelter should not block light
- Thoughtful hedges or fences can help
Access and convenience
A greenhouse you can reach easily, especially in poor weather, gets tended regularly. Convenient access from the house and garden, a firm path and room to work around it all encourage use.
Plan the route to the greenhouse and space around it. Convenience turns a greenhouse into a regularly used resource rather than a neglected corner.
- Easy access encourages regular tending
- A firm path helps in poor weather
- Leave room to work around it
- Convenience drives use
Ground, base and services
A greenhouse needs level, stable ground and a suitable base for stability. Proximity to services like water, and sometimes power, adds convenience for watering and any heating or lighting.
Consider how you will get water to the greenhouse, and whether power is wanted. The base and any services are best planned and installed with professional help.
Fitting it into the garden
A greenhouse is a sizable structure, so consider how it sits in the garden's look and layout, and its impact on neighbors and sightlines. Screening or positioning can integrate it gracefully.
Balance the practical needs (light, shelter, access) with how the greenhouse reads in the design. A landscape professional can help reconcile the two.
Greenhouse siting checklist
- 1Observe sun across the day and seasons
- 2Choose a bright, open position
- 3Avoid heavy shade from buildings and trees
- 4Seek some shelter from harsh wind
- 5Plan convenient access and a firm path
- 6Leave room to work around the greenhouse
- 7Confirm level, stable ground for a base
- 8Plan water and any power supply
- 9Consider how it fits the garden look
- 10Get professional help with base and services
Common mistakes to avoid
- Placing a greenhouse in heavy shade
- Siting it in an exposed, windy spot
- Choosing a location that is awkward to reach
- Forgetting water access for watering
- Ignoring level ground and a stable base
- Overlooking how the structure reads in the garden
When to involve a professional
- A builder or landscaping professional should confirm the base and stability
- Glazing and any power or water services should be handled by professionals
- Exposed sites and structural stability benefit from professional input
- Requirements vary by location and project, so verify details before installing
Frequently asked questions
Questions readers ask about this topic
Which way should a greenhouse face?
The priority is plenty of light through the growing season, avoiding heavy shade for much of the day, with orientation chosen to maximize useful sun. Observing where sun falls across the day and seasons before siting gives the best result.
Should a greenhouse be sheltered from wind?
Some shelter from the harshest wind helps stability and temperature, but it should not block light or airflow. Thoughtfully placed hedges or fences can shelter without heavily shading the greenhouse.
Does a greenhouse need a special base?
Yes, a greenhouse needs level, stable ground and a suitable base for stability. The base and any services like water or power are best planned and installed with professional help.
How close to the house should a greenhouse be?
Convenient access from the house and garden encourages regular tending, especially in poor weather, and eases running water or power. Balance convenience with the light and shelter the greenhouse needs.
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