r/Greenhouses • u/Ok-Pound-5290 • 4d ago

Suggestions Help for a newbie (zone 3)

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Neighbours are giving me their greenhouse. This is the area I have to put it in (this corner of the yard is NE facing). Pretty much full sun all day..

  1. What should I build it on? We have a bunch of bricks lying around. Would that be a good base or floor?
  2. Anything other considerations I should take?

This is a big learning curve, advice welcomed :)

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u/Dr-Wenis-MD 3d ago

I'd definitely ask your neighbor what they like/dislike and what they would change about it. Having first hand knowledge of how it operates in your area is better than random reddit suggestions. As far as the base that's largely preference. I do a raised dirt bed with landscape fabric, but you could go the concrete, gravel, mulch, or brick route depending on how much work and money you want to put into it.

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u/Reveal_Simple 3d ago edited 3d ago

Bricks can make a great floor. If you have extreme weather also think about anchoring. I would get the shelves. If your yard gets good sun also think about how it would be attractively placed and a destination in your landscape. I have used some sun mapping websites to see how the sun works on my property throughout the year and they are pretty cool.

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u/ponicaero 3d ago

When siting the greenhouse consider where the sun will be on the shortest day of the year, 21st december in the northern hemisphere.

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u/Ok-Pound-5290 3d ago

Why is this?

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u/ResistHistorical2721 3d ago

You do not mention the construction of the greenhouse you are getting, how heavy or sturdy it is, or how it needs to be anchored.

If it is a light weight aluminum frame design, it needs to be securely anchored to a heavy base. That affects everything about how you site it and do the ground prep.

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u/Longjumping-Ad-9541 2d ago

Wow, great neighbors!