When you decide to set up a greenhouse (or high tunnel), one of the most important factors you’ll need to consider is the orientation of the structure itself. Many people don’t realize it, but the way you orient your greenhouse can significantly impact plant growth, light exposure, and overall efficiency. So, what’s the best orientation for a greenhouse? Should you go for a North-South orientation or East-West? Today, I’ll guide you through the key differences and help you understand which option is better for your growing goals.
Why Greenhouse Orientation Matters
Before we dive into the specific orientations, let’s quickly cover why greenhouse orientation even matters in the first place. Greenhouses rely on sunlight to provide the energy that your plants need to grow. Maximizing the amount of sunlight your plants receive, especially during the growing season, is key to their health and productivity.
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Its position in the sky changes with the seasons, but by orienting your greenhouse correctly, you can ensure that your plants are getting the most light possible throughout the day. The more evenly the sun hits your plants, the more consistent and strong their growth will be.
North-South Orientation: Ideal for Long Rows and Full Light Exposure
When your greenhouse is aligned with the North-South (endwalls) axis, the sun travels directly over the structure, allowing it to evenly distribute light across both sides. This orientation is ideal for row planting. It allows light to shine directly down the rows for most of the day, so your plants on either side are getting maximum exposure.
With this orientation, you’ll notice that the sun shifts over the day and lights up both sides of your greenhouse, giving each plant a fair chance to absorb sunlight. I personally find this orientation to be perfect for growing taller plants and those that require full light exposure. When you have long rows of plants, especially if you’re growing crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, or peppers, the North-South orientation allows light to reach down into the rows effectively. Each plant benefits from a full day’s worth of sunlight.
In fact, this orientation works particularly well during the winter months when the sun is lower in the sky. Since the sun has a more southern trajectory in winter, aligning your greenhouse North-South means it will still receive an even amount of light. Your plants will be bathed in sunlight for a good portion of the day, which is crucial for maintaining growth during shorter daylight hours.
Best for:
- Tall crops (like tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers)
- Long rows of plants
- Maximizing sun exposure throughout the day
Drawbacks:
- For smaller plants, this orientation doesn’t offer a significant advantage
- Not as effective in narrow or compact growing spaces
East-West Orientation: Shorter, Smaller Crops and Specialized Growing
On the other hand, an East-West orientation means the greenhouse runs parallel to the sun’s path across the sky. This means that one side of the greenhouse will be exposed to direct sunlight in the morning, while the other side gets the majority of its light in the afternoon.
The East-West orientation is often preferred by those who grow lower or more compact crops. If your plants don’t require tall structures or trellises, and if you’re growing things like herbs, flowers, or leafy greens, this orientation might be just fine for your needs.
Personally, I’ve found that the East-West orientation can work well for smaller growing operations. If you’re growing flowers, herbs, or shorter plants that don’t require intensive light exposure, this orientation could suit your greenhouse layout without sacrificing plant health. It’s also a good option if you’re in a location with more extreme seasonal shifts, where temperature control is more important than maximizing sunlight.
Best for:
- Smaller crops (herbs, flowers, leafy greens)
- Greenhouses in regions with extreme seasonal changes
Drawbacks:
- Light distribution isn’t as even, with some plants receiving more sun than others
- Not ideal for tall plants or long rows
What About Latitude and Location?
Another factor to consider when deciding on your greenhouse’s orientation is your geographical location, specifically your latitude. The closer you are to the equator, the more consistent your sunlight will be throughout the year. In these areas, East-West orientation might work well because there’s no need to worry about the sun’s lower position in the sky during the winter months.
However, the farther north or south you go from the equator, the more drastic the seasonal changes in sunlight become. In these regions, a North-South orientation can be more beneficial, as it allows you to capture the most light during the winter, when the sun is lower and spends more time in the southern part of the sky. This is especially important for year-round growers.
If you’re growing in a particularly cold region or one with long winters, you might also want to consider investing in additional heat-retaining features for your greenhouse, like thermal mass or supplemental heating. But no matter how you control the temperature inside, optimizing your greenhouse’s light exposure with proper orientation will help your plants thrive in any season.
When Orientation Is Less Important
While the orientation of your greenhouse is crucial for certain crops, there are cases where it’s not as much of a factor. If you’re growing small plants or flowers that don’t require as much sunlight, the orientation may not make a noticeable difference. For example, if you’re growing ornamental plants or focusing on low-light plants like ferns, you won’t need to worry as much about maximizing sun exposure.
In fact, I’ve met plenty of greenhouse gardeners who grow exclusively flowers or small potted plants, and they find the East-West orientation to be perfectly suitable. The key is to assess the specific light requirements of your plants before deciding on orientation. If your plants can tolerate less light or do well with partial shade, you have more flexibility in your layout.
How to Decide
So, how do you decide which orientation is right for your greenhouse? It really depends on the crops you plan to grow and your local climate. Here are a few questions to consider:
- What kind of plants are you growing? Tall crops like tomatoes and cucumbers will benefit more from a North-South orientation, while smaller plants might do just fine in an East-West greenhouse.
- Are you growing year-round? If you plan to grow through the winter, especially in a northern region, a North-South orientation will help you maximize light during the shorter days.
- What’s the climate like in your area? If you live in a hot climate, an East-West orientation may help you avoid overheating your greenhouse. But if you’re in a cooler region, North-South might give you more consistent light exposure.
After running my own greenhouse for years, I can confidently say that there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Each orientation has its advantages, and the “right” choice depends on your specific growing goals and conditions. What I’ve learned, though, is that taking the time to plan your greenhouse’s layout properly will pay off in the long run.
Conclusion
In the end, greenhouse and high tunnel orientation is a critical decision that will affect how well your plants grow. If you’re growing tall crops or need to maximize light exposure, a North-South orientation will give you the most bang for your buck. But if you’re working with smaller plants, flowers, or want to reduce heat in hot climates, East-West orientation could be the better option. By aligning your greenhouse to fit your specific plants and climate, you’ll set yourself up for a successful growing season, no matter what you’re cultivating.
Happy growing!
Additional Information:
If you are in a cold region and looking to grow year-round, consider one of our Four Season Greenhouse Kits at Greenhousekits1.com. These kits offer two layers of film to help keep the natural heat created in the greenhouse/high tunnel. You can find out more information about these kits here: https://www.greenhousekits1.com/4-season-greenhouse
One of our All Inclusive Kits is a good solution for any climate if you want to grow year-round. These kits come with the heater and ventilation included! Check them out here: https://www.greenhousekits1.com/all-inclusive-packages
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