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Posted by sportyBracken (U3237953) on Wednesday, 15th February 2006
I have just bought a house in Aberdeen and am confused by the North, South facing dilema. It has taken me a while to understand how it works in my present home but I have had to go through all the seasons to really appreciate how it affects my garden.
The house I have bought sits on its own with a garden all round. There is a steading building which forms a u-shape at the back of the property, with the kitchen looking into that area. This is the back of the house and it looks North (North, West). Driving up to the house in the morning the front is in full sun at the moment, so that must be South facing? Is that right?
I'm worried that I won't get sun in the courtyard in the summer - how can I find out about this? I know that it will all become clear once I live there but i'm excited about the garden and possible sitting spots therein.
i would really appreciate some clarification on this.
Many thanks...
Link to this forum: North facing, south facing garden-what does it mean?
My house also faces south with the terrace and main garden being to the north. We have no neighbouring buoildings or trees to shade us so get plenty of light.
South facing is towards where the sun is at midday. North is where the sun never directly shines unless it can get high enough up over the house in high summer or round the side of the house after 3pm between March and September with no objects such as trees or buildings to block it.
I suggest you buy a compass.
Link to this forum: North facing, south facing garden-what does it mean?
, in reply to message 2.
Posted by sportyBracken (U3237953) on Wednesday, 15th February 2006
Thank's for this. Have you deliberately kept the garden tree free to compensate for lack of sun?
Yes, a compass is a must for me!
Link to this forum: North facing, south facing garden-what does it mean?
We're converting cow pasture to garden so except for an 8 yr old birch all the trees are tiny and, for safety, none is planted near the house oowhere their roots can damage foundations and pipes.
Link to this forum: North facing, south facing garden-what does it mean?
, in reply to message 4.
Posted by sportyBracken (U3237953) on Wednesday, 15th February 2006
that's interesting as we hope to purchase an extra piece of land which sounds similar to your cow pasture. It has a natural pond (quite shallow) and is quite boggy at the back of the house, where it doesn't get the sun (North facing!).
I love silver birch (being an indigenous Scottish tree) and would intend to plant some there if we are lucky enough to get the extra land. I feel that it's important to blend into the landscape. the house is a farmhouse with seperate steading, forming the u shape at the back of the house. I only hope that we can get some sun within this u shape courtyard area , as it would be ideal to use for sitting out in the summer.
Do you also share the Scottish landscape?
Link to this forum: North facing, south facing garden-what does it mean?
Old farmhouse, long and thin, 33metres by about 7 of which almost half is barn waiting to be converted to living accommodation. Central Belgium in the Hesbaye which is a region of rolling countryside with plenty of streams and springs given over to pasture, arable and fruit growing. We have a boggy area too so dug out a natural unlined pond so we could improve drainage.
We have planted a double stemmed silver birch, an arctic beech, a Siberian something (very slow and small but lovely fine leaves), a bird cherry, parrotia persica, robinia pseudoacachia, malus "John Downie", prunus cerastifugia and loads of shrubs for windbreaks. The robinia is too brittle though in our winds and breaks too easily. We should have planted a gleditsia which is stronger and also has the golden foliage I was after.
Link to this forum: North facing, south facing garden-what does it mean?
, in reply to message 6.
Posted by sportyBracken (U3237953) on Wednesday, 15th February 2006
Belgium WOW! I thought that this site would take in the UK only...what a lovely surprise. I haven't used the internet in this way before...fantastic.
I intend to plant up a lot of evergreen, hardy, plants in the more shady areas of the garden and have a bit of fun with texture and colour - rabbits permitting.
Ideally, creating as much interest during the autumn and winter when we have very short daylight hours.
Your planting looks interesting...i'll save it and investigate once I start building the garden.
Link to this forum: North facing, south facing garden-what does it mean?
There are now some photos under the Obelixx Technical problems thread. They show the garden through the seasons last year.
There are other posters from Belgium on these boards and one or two from Holland and France who are regulars.
Link to this forum: North facing, south facing garden-what does it mean?
, in reply to message 8.
Posted by flyingtwinkle (U710842) on Wednesday, 15th February 2006
i dont share belgium and scottish surroundings but i live in a farm house with bottle brush trees in the south
Link to this forum: North facing, south facing garden-what does it mean?
How far south?
Link to this forum: North facing, south facing garden-what does it mean?
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