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Greenhouse
Dawn Wilkinson
Posts: 9
I'm thinking of buying a small greenhouse (6x4) for my back garden. The only place I can position it is at the side of my house, between the gable end and the garden fence. The gable end faces East and the width from the gable end to the fence is about 13 foot. The height of the fence is about 5.5 foot. (There is plenty of lengh). I'm wondering is it best to position the ridge East-West or North-South. I'm only interested in growing summer crops such as toms. It's obviously going to get morning sun but do you think this will be enough or am I wasting my money! ????
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Posts
We got crops of tomato, aubergine, courgette and peppers in the greenhouse at our last house. Due to a complete lack of space the greenhouse was up against a north facing garage wall and a west facing garden wall, so it only got the sun during the morning and through the very top of the roof later on in the day, the ridge went east west. The garage wall was painted white to try and increase the amount of light.
So personally I don't think you are wasting your time.
Cheers
I would agree that the G/H ridge should run from East to West to maximise the sun's effectiveness as it strikes the long South facing length of the slanted roof.
Also - assuming you have a neighbour's house on the other side of the fence - position the greenhouse near the fence rather than near your house: ie as close to halfway as possible between the two houses to avoid the house shadows as long as possible in morning and evening. This maximises the length of time the sun can reach the greenhouse.
Also, remember to leave enough room between fence and g/h so you can treat the fence with preserver every year or two. (Sorry if that advice was a bit obvious but I know at least two neighbours who made that mistake!)
Thanks guys. Great advice
I have my 6' x 4' in exactly the same position as you. We have put ours against the fence to get it as far away from the house as possible. We just take the panel out to treat it.