greenhouse advice

11 years ago

Hello all,

I have a sliding glass door that exits the dining room onto a small patio. The north side of the patio is a solid exterior wall: the west is the dining room.

The patio has two "un-sunny" walls, to the west and north, and two sunny walls, to the east and south. A tree blocks some of the light from the east but we could heavily prune it, and a small porch wall blocks a bit of the light from the south, but not much.

I'd very much like a small greenhouse at this location on my property (which isn't large). What do you think? Can a greenhouse be effective with only two walls of partial sun, to the east and south?

For the past two weeks we have built a fence that completely encloses a part of the front yard (which faces south). No more deer! And such lovely privacy, too. Soon we'll have the last of the trees removed (a mostly dead huge pine, three scrub oaks and two ugly aspens) which will completely open the front to sunlight ... perhaps a bit too much.

So, the garden progresses. I read your posts often and have learnt much from all of you. Thanks!

Janni

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Comments (4)

digit (ID/WA, border)
11 years ago
Janni Selzer, "Can a greenhouse be effective with only two walls of partial sun, to the east and south?"

In my opinion, yes. Keep in mind that supplemental lighting is very common in commercial greenhouses. It would be wise for you to be comfortable with the idea from the get-go.

Hours of daylight is probably more important than anything and in mountainous Colorado, that may have to do with off-site obstructions that cannot be changed. Colorado does have an advantage of a good amount of winter sunlight, the solar energy people have stats.

I'm no greenhouse expert, however. I am surprised at how my own protective growing structures vary in temperatures through the days. Two of the three structures are simple and temporary.

If you know your hours of sunlight, local experts know sun angle, outdoor conditions, and plant needs. I had important advice from the power company engineers before I built my permanent greenhouse about 20 years ago. Checking with local horticulturalists should be possible and your county extension office would be a good place to start.

Steve
david52 Zone 6
11 years ago
Mine has a polycarbonate roof and windows only on the south. Works fine
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Skybird - z5, Denver, Colorado
11 years ago
Hi Jani,

What you've described should work perfectly! Your plants can be rearranged to take advantage of the more-or-less sun in the greenhouse. Protected north wall will help keep from losing a lot of heat in winter. Be sure you plan for some "serious" ventilation for summer or you'll have an oven rather than a greenhouse!

Here's a link to a recent "sun shed" thread that should give you some encouragement!
http://forums.gardenweb.com/discussions/2811423/help-me-plan-my-colorado-sunshed?n=15

Gotta go,
Skybird
Golden David
11 years ago
Jani,

Skybird linked you to my thread! I'm so proud :) The south-only windows are working great so far this Spring. Ask me in a year how it did in the Winter!

David