Where to put the shed

[mysti77]

Hi everyone

I am trying to determine which location is best for my shed. I have a north facing garden so in the morning the sun is on the left side of the garden (when I am looking north) and the evening the top right corner gets the sun. I have been reading that some plants don't like the East Facing wall as the frost may thaw too quickly and hurt tender plants. So this led me to think put the shed on the left corner but then the right side gets less sun I think.

[AllInContainers]

The shed is in the top left hand corner in my North facing garden. In my garden the ground was easier to prepare there, but I have decided to leave it there because it means my entire West facing wall (getting afternoon sun) is usable. The East facing wall (getting morning sun) has "woodland plants" that don't mind bit of shade, but maximising use of the West facing wall made more sense. The section alongside the shed, does get shaded out as the afternoon progreses, and the plants directly next to the shed receive, less sun than those along the wall opposite. However, I have chosen to put my tall and late harvesting items up there for maximum length of growing season. It's the first time I've put that area to proper use, and so far, so good

[mysti77]

Thabkst again for replying

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[mysti77]

Am I right in thinking it is not so important if the ground is shaded once the leaves of the plant are in the sun? So if I out the shed in the top left corner and put my cherry tree next to it on the south wall (once the cherry tree is tall enough to be in the sun) then it will be ok? Maybe not the cherey actually as I think Summer Sun cherries fruit in July. Perhaps an apple tree there?

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[Glutton4...]

I would put the shed in a permanently shady spot. In our last garden it was in full sun, and far too hot to spend any time in during the summer. Everyone will probably give you a different answer, and a different reason!

[pigletwillie]

I would put the shed in a permanently shady spot. In our last garden it was in full sun, and far too hot to spend any time in during the summer. Everyone will probably give you a different answer, and a different reason!

I am in full agreement with Glutton. My garden is north facing the part nearest the house sees little sun. Its much harder to make good use of that area and the courtyard and tables that we never used because they were always in shade have made way for a hot tub and sauna. They are planted up with woodland plants and morello cherries though. Any area of land that gets sunshine is too good a resource to fill with a shed especially when you have shaded areas for it to go.. Don't forget the seasonal aspect as well, In early spring and late autumn the sun will be much lower in the sky and the sun coming into the garden much reduced with or with out a shed in the way.

At least you have options and can make the best decision for whatever you want to grow.

[AllInContainers]

Here's a rough schematic of my garden layout for this year.



Area 1: This gets the longest growing season, and so has late cropping items such as Queensland Artichoke, Jerusalem Artchokes, Chinese Artichokes, Giant Leeks, Persimmon & Medlar. It also has high sun dependency plants such as Cardoon and Globe Artichoke, as well as Midget Melons, plus a range of ornamentals mixed in too. So far this area is showing a lot of promise. The skyscraper lillies next to the shed are showing less growth than those half way across the back wall between shed and dividing wall, but enough growth to make me think they'll still perform well and flower - though maybe not at the height of the others. It's also a very protected area, and offers solace from strong winds. The walls also absorb sun during the day and give back that heat at night, which helps during cooler nights

Area 2: Here are where the woodland plants are, including cherry, apples, blueberries, daylillies, elder, blackcurrant, blue sausage fruit, and one of the strawberry planters. There's also red veived sorrel and lovage. Despite the sherry being east facing, I still had blossom and have a decent amount of fruit forming for the tree's first fruiting year. No foreseeable problems here.

Area 3: These get the benefit of afternoon sun. The best spot is furthest from the house, and the direct sun exposure and growing season length reduces as you approach the house. From the far end there is a blueberry bush and a number of sun loving herbs like rosemary, oregano and thyme. There's also a fig tree and my second strawberry planter. Moving down the wall there is peach, mirabelle, daylillies, jostaberry, blueberries, and raspberries. All doing well too

Area 4: This shaded area does have a few "productive" plants, such as lemon balm and mint, but also ramsons, checkerberry and barberry, There's also a range of ornamentals. These include evergreens in the form of Leucothoe Zeblid, winter flowering heather, daffodils and muscari to give the garden a feeling of "life" when the rest of the garden is dormant, and other shade plants like brunerras and heucharellas. There's also a wire shelving rack with my salad items on (used to be a blowaway greenhouse), which makes it awkwrd for slugs to get at stuff. It's also where my rotary airer is, so I can hang my washing out without causing problems for the plants or for me chilling out with a beer

I didn't want my shed to be at the front of the garden, for the simple reason that it would block the view of all my hard work through the kitchen window I believe I have managed to make full and productive use of the shady area, and the "year round" selection will/should detract from the skeletal dormancy elsewhere

[pigletwillie]

I know where you are coming from wanting to look out at the garden. I suppose you need to decide where will cause the least impact on how you garden. Choices choices.

[mysti77]

I would have preferred the shed closest to the house in the most shadr but along both the dining room and living room are french doors leading on to the patio.

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[mysti77]

Morning





Early aftetnoon




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[mysti77]

Early afternoon



As the day goes on



Evening


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[mysti77]

I am totally new to this but took photos yesterday to try to get an idea of where the sun is during the day.

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[Snadger]

I Suppose it depends on how big and how ornamental your shed is?

A shed withinn the shaded area facing to wherever the evening sun is with a covered veranda, wouldn't be an eyesore, especially if covered with some form of climber on the kitchen window side?

[mysti77]

Ok going to reevaluate how big a shed we need and if perhaps we can get away with more of a storage shed so it can fit on the patio area. Need to confirm with hubby though as he may want a proper walk in shed. And reading up on sheds the consensus is bigger is better but in a small garden I am wondering if to forego that rule and just use it for garden tool storage and get weather resistent garden furniture...

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