Sun Or Shade? Here's The Best Location For A Backyard Greenhouse

Backyard greenhouses are a great way to dramatically extend your growing season and potentially even grow fresh produce year-round. They can be a big project though and mistakes in the planning phase can significantly reduce your greenhouse's utility. In addition to deciding what type of greenhouse you're going to build to transform your yard, it's also essential to consider where in the yard to locate it.

Regardless of the style of greenhouse you decide to build, your greenhouse needs to be located in full  or nearly full sun for your plants to grow their best. Additionally, it's also important to choose a greenhouse location that is on relatively flat land and has good drainage. Putting your greenhouse in the best possible location will help you maximize the long growing season, climate control, and other advantages a greenhouse can bring.

Sunlight is essential not just for providing plants in the greenhouse with light for photosynthesis, but also to help the greenhouse stay warm during cold months. When considering locations, don't forget that the sun is lower in the sky during winter months, and opt for spots that offer as much winter sun as possible. Even in a full sun location, you may still need to consider using a heater in your greenhouse to prevent the temperature from dropping too rapidly at night. Otherwise, your greenhouse could have significant temperature fluctuations, making it difficult for many plants to thrive there.

As important as sunlight is for helping greenhouses warm in winter, you will likely need to invest in shade cloth as well if you want to use your greenhouse through the summer. This will prevent plants from overheating when temperatures rise. Ventilation is also important for helping the greenhouse cool on warm days when the sun heats the building up too intensely and quickly. You can also consider locating your greenhouse in a spot where it receives full sun in winter but has some shade in summer thanks to deciduous trees. 

In addition to sun exposure, you also need to take drainage and the slope of your land into account when finding a location for your greenhouse. Picking a relatively level spot for your greenhouse will make it considerably easier to build your backyard greenhouse and make sure that everything is square. It will also prevent water from pooling in the greenhouse.

In addition to finding a flat spot for your greenhouse, you should also make sure it has good drainage. Greenhouses often struggle with high humidity levels and mold and mildew issues anyway, so the last thing you want is to have sitting water that could further exacerbate problems. Gravel can make a good flooring material for your greenhouse and encourage water to seep down instead of pooling or creating mud puddles.