Anything planted north of the greenhouse won't effect the sun entering the GH. You may have to trim a stray branch (reaching *over*) every now and then but I don't think these small trees, 10 foot away, and north of, are gong to be a problem. What you want to grow should factor in to how much sun/shade you will need. So.....what ya gonna grow in there??
Pat

If the trees are going to be to the NORTH of the GH it don't matter how big they get.
I live in Indiana and it gets cold here so I have my north wall of the GH covered with foam insulation.
What will be on the SOUTH side of the GH is what you need to worry about.
Locate the GH with the long part east and west if you can that way it will get more sun light.
Depends on what you intend to do with it I only use mine in the spring to start plants from seed in the summer it is empty.
Some use them all year and that brings on a new set of problems it is easier to heat a GH than to cool it in hot weather.

see, this is why I come here, you guys are so smart...and helpful too :)

what I plan to grow....well....to start with, I'll be putting my patio and tropical plants in it to keep them over the winter (ferns, peace lillies in pots, madevilla's in pots, and a variety of tropical fruit trees (also in pots) guava, papaya, and a dwarf cherry tree...

now, while I"m in there this winter I just might try my hand at growing some veggies? herbs? Since at the moment I dont have electricty permanently there...I'll most likely NOT do much in the summer months...would be too big of an effort to cool...now if DH (the electrical engineer) decides to give up a day of college football (I'm not holding my breath) I might be able to convince him to run some wiring out there for me...since the local handyman estimate was upward of $1100 for doing it...

When it's cool enough (spring), I would probably like to try starting some stuff from seeds...on a much bigger scale then what I have done it so far (2 chinese take out trays...one with about a dozen swiss chard seedlings, the other with parsley and basil) quite nicely growing btw...and ready to pot up....so these boys will end up in the GH this winter too.

other than that...I might dream of a water feature of some sort...someday :)

PS: the way things are laid out back where the GH will go, it would look weird having the door facing the East..it woudl be pointing at my neighbors yard...we have a long narrow property...

I would be putting the GH on the other side of the fence at the backend...creating a gate out of the section of fence just behind the taller tree by the swing...and our property goes about another 40 feet beyond the fence.
{{gwi:305367}}

rjinga Your back yard looks nice.
The way you sit it is not a big deal unless you plan to build Say a 10 X 20 but like the little GH that I have is 10 X 12 and it don't matter much it is only a problem if you had one like the above where the length is way more than the width.
Where you live it would be difficult to keep anything other than tropical plants in it in the summer.
I'm retired now but for 42 years I was a long distance trucker and have been through Georgia a lot of times and I know it is hot in the summer

I won't get any light through the north wall of my HFGH (it's located about 4' away from the solid brick wall of our house.) I've also covered it with foam insulation. It's still so bright in there you need sunglasses. :-)

Maybe your trees on the north will also help buffer some of the north wind. What a beautiful setting that will be!

Remember that some of those people making comments LIVE A GOOD BIT FURTHER north they south GA. and they do have to worry about north, south, east, and west. You might not.

Just my .02 worth

1eyedJack and the Dawg

Remember that some of those people making comments LIVE A GOOD BIT FURTHER north they south GA. and they do have to worry about north, south, east, and west. You might not.
Just my .02 worth

1eyedJack and the Dawg

I think you are talking about the difference in temperature but the orientation of the GH has nothing to do with temperature it is about the plants getting sufficient sun light.
That is why nearly all nursery's have their GH east and west but like I said in above post most small GH are not that much longer than their width that it makes much difference but if you were to put up a 20 X 40 then it would make a big difference.
Such a GH located in Georgia with a North South orientation would still over heat but some plants would not receive enough sun light

My opinion is that since most hobby GHs are close to square and the orientation doesn't make that much difference. If it is close to square, orient it in a way that is convenient and aesthetically pleasing.

Please forgive me of I offended you. It was not my intent. I meant the relationship of the sun during the winter up north and where we live here. It had nothing to do with the facing of the greenhouse. I in fact will be placing mine EW with the long sides NS.
If I failed to make that clear, well mia me cupa, etc.
No more beer for 1eye LOL

1eyedHakc and tah;o frog

Rjinga, you call that "narrow"!?!? I can't imagine what you'd call my little suburban lot, lol. Anyway, it is lovely and I don't think a greenhouse situated with the door facing east (or west) need look "weird". I do think such an orientation would allow for the most sunlight through the slant of the south-facing roof, so let's try thinking outside the box, as they say.

Wish I could draw a diagram here, but will make do with words alone. How about creating a small door-yard garden or seating area around that east-facing door and have the gate open to that area. So, you'd basically go through the gate, a few steps along a path and then turn left through the garden/seating area into the greenhouse. I plant things around my greenhouse anyway, for aesthetic as well as practical reasons. There's a raised bed on the south side that accommodates garlic October-June, then is home for a variety of things I'm coddling along and want to keep close watch on through the summer. Last year I let a moonflower vine scramble up a trellis at the corner. Now that I think of it, most sales photos of greenhouses seem to show the side or, an even better angle, a view from the diagonal rather than head-on.

As for your trees, I agree that you'll probably find them more a benefit than liability. We have plenty of very tall oaks here, to the north and west of our GH. Since they're deciduous trees, the only shade they cast in winter is from the bare branches (and, yes, I've noticed it does make a slight difference) but in summer the area is in very welcome dappled shade from noon onward.

It sounds like you're approaching your first season with an open mind as to what you're going to grow ... that's great! I do believe in enjoying the process and I think you're going to have lots of fun in there this winter.

Hey once again, thanks to all you kind souls who have taken an interest and offered your words of wisdom....I feel like an "old" gardener at heart because I love plants and growing things etc. so much...but I find my practical experience lacking at times....I really do appreciate all of your comments and help.

I think your idea (agardenstateofmind) about creating/developing the area around the greenhouse is an excellent one...I can exactly imagine what you described...from the yard, you go out the gate, GH to the right...door facing west... and I had even thought of using pavers or something like it to create a pathway up to the GH...and there is a big concrete drain thing right in the middle of all of that space that I have thought MANY times of covering over with some kind of slatted wood cover, so that you could actually sit on it...my wheels are spinning now...I will of course have to take it step by step...I find that what initially seems like a small project just about takes forever to make progress on...

example...this whole big area behind my fence (usually covered with weeds etc) I started researching on here about lasagne techniques to keep the weeds down, meanwhile helping the clay soil...so I started collecting OM..cardboard, newspaper, hay, grass clippings, pine straw, leaves etc etc etc....and although I am making progress...when I finish an area and look out over the "unfinished" area...I sigh and get very discouraged about just how much MORE there is to do....

so baby steps..and over time it will all come together...

here's a different view point of this space...not the best vantage points, but I think you can get the gist....I have since about covered and/or gotten rid of the weeds out there...

this section is on the west facing end and obviously this whole area is on the North end of our place
{{gwi:305368}}

this area is the East side...I would have the green house door facing the west simply because It would be the most funtional for me...and would allow me to build up around the GH with beds, etc.
{{gwi:303569}}

this area is about the middle, see the big concrete drain thing....
{{gwi:303570}}

MY GOD! You have got Kudzu! Oh I am so sorry to see that.

1eyedJack and the Dawg

Believe it or not, ole dawg, we have it up here in Monmouth County, NJ, too ... not in my yard or even on my block, thank goodness. I was shocked when my husband's uncle, visiting from Tennessee, came back from a stroll and mentioned he'd seen it just a few blocks away. I didn't think it would be winter-hardy here.

What a lovely spot you have to work with, rjinga! Yes, you'll need some kind of walkway on both sides of the gate, as the traffic would be too much for the grass. That hunk of concrete certainly is a challenge - just what IS it? What are you planning to plant in place of the weeds? A wildflower meadow would be lovely and should be fairly easy to maintain if you do your research and choose the right plants. Unfortunately, you can't just "let nature take its course" or you're likely to wind up with the wrong things moving in ... again. There's probably a Georgia Native Plant Society - they might be an excellent resource for you for native plant lists and gardens to visit for ideas and purchases.

I'm so glad my suggestion was helpful; sounds like the germ of the idea was already there in your mind and you're really running with it now! I'd love to see pictures as it progresses toward completion (gardens are never, in my opinion, "finished").

Diane

Kudzu in NJ? Don't let it get a hold. Once it gets started it is almost impossible to kill and the cost of doing so is very expensive.

1eyedJack and the Dawg

The big concrete drain thing has definate possibilities. Can't quite see how it drains, but cover it with artsy mosaic, put a big bird bath on the top (or a recirculating fountain so DH doesn't have to run a water line to it) and set potted annuals around the bird bath in the summer...I can see it now!

You could do something like I did put in a walk made of paver's and on both sides we have flower beds and a place where you can sit in the shade and look at the flowers and listen to the fountain splashing in the pond that is near. In fact the entire pond is surrounded with flowers with fish and frogs croaking.
It is very peaceful and relaxing.
Since we are both retired the wife and I like to go out their in the early morning and have a cup of coffee.
That lot of yours has real possibility's.

Have mercy!! Kudzu!!! Slash and burn.....and not even that will kill the stuff, just sets it back a day or two. A man that lives down the road from me actually PLANTED the stuff on his fence. He got rid of it after he found out just what he had there .....yeah, after it swallowed his can when he was away for a two week business trip.

OK....you have a lovely yard there. That GH is gonna really make all come together. A walk, a sitting area, flowerbeds ......it's gonna look great. I'd really love to see pic's as you move along. I love mudhouse's ideas for the big drane deal thing. All different sized clay pots with plants that love the hot Ga. sun would look nice in that area and give the "thing" a usefulness (other than being a drane), almost like it was put there on purpose......keep us posted now!!!......Pat

it swallowed his car..........

not that kudzu is even one of your concerns... but it is always such an interesting topic...

http://www.motherearthnews.com/Organic-Gardening/1979-03-01/The-Kudzu-Connection.aspx

i have no idea how to make a link, but copy paste works just the same. i too live in kudzu territory and will be building a greenhouse adjacent to a large roadside patch. granted it's invasiveness can be disturbing. keeping it from taking over the greenhouse will be the only challenge. but knowing that there are so many diverse uses for it is quite inspiring. now, if only i can convince the road maintenance crews to stop spraying along my road frontage, i might have me a nice salad.

i've seen kudzu cover over a house and barn!! and completely scale a 50 foot tree, straight up!! with vines that were like elevator cables...

THANK GOD the efforts made out where I'm working on the GH have kept the growth of the kudzu under control. It actually is NOT growing where we have had it dug up several times....and every time I see a little sprout coming up...I 86 it...our extension office here says you can actually get rid of it...plan on about a year of continual monitoring, digging, spraying etc. And eventually it will give up and go elsehwere. that is encouraging...I have had to dig deep to get to those big nasty roots...it's really pretty unbelievable.

AND, recently I got a recipe for kudzu flower jelly...this lady I know made it for her kids when they were little and she said it was one of their favorites. The flowers have a faint smell of grape soda...and they are pretty too.

RE: the concret drain thingie..it's a main drain/run off with a giant underground pipe and it runs a ways away from us to a lower elevation.

The mosaic idea is cool, I'm sure I have some material around that could work for it..I could even go a bit more upscale with some stone looking tile left over from my bathroom redo...hmmmm

I'm going to work on a sketch of what I envision for this area and scan it and post it later....

MY GOD! Have I forgotten Latin so completely? Please allow me to correct my previous post. It should read " Mea cupa, mea cupa, mea maximo cupa. Thru my fault, Thru my fault, Thru my most grevious fault" There, Ft. Gerry would be proud of me. I hope the old Irish Priest with the constantly red nose will forgive me, where ever his is. LOL

1eyedJack and the Dawg

I wanted to start by saying that this forum has been so helpful and informative.

I received a GH for Xmas from my Husband. I am waiting until the weather is a bit bearable to set it up on the east side of my house where I usually plant in the spring. It is the ideal location for my GH. This area is fenced, I decided to attach the GH to the fence which measures 10X18. Can anyone tell me if my 10X12 HFGH will fit in the width of exactly 10' 3". the measurements on the box says 10 1/2 X 12 1/2. I will not be able to fit the extra 1/2 ft in this space. We do not have much of a backyard and I wanted to leave some space for our doggies. The backyard is completely shaded from our neighbors trees as well. the only possible space is on the east side of our house. can anyone measure their erected HFGH width . I know I will have room for the length. Since reading about the support issues the HFGH has had, I know half fence will give it added support. I look forward to any advise. Shari

I wanted to start by saying that this forum has been so helpful and informative.

I received a GH for Xmas from my Husband. I am waiting until the weather is a bit bearable to set it up on the east side of my house where I usually plant in the spring. It is the ideal location for my GH. This area is fenced, I decided to attach the GH to the fence which measures 10X18. Can anyone tell me if my 10X12 HFGH will fit in the width of exactly 10' 3". the measurements on the box says 10 1/2 X 12 1/2. I will not be able to fit the extra 1/2 ft in this space. We do not have much of a backyard and I wanted to leave some space for our doggies. The backyard is completely shaded from our neighbors trees as well. the only possible space is on the east side of our house. can anyone measure their erected HFGH width . I know I will have room for the length. Since reading about the support issues the HFGH has had, I know half fence will give it added support. I look forward to any advise. Shari