Make the most of a north-facing garden with expert tips Sunshine is everything in the garden, it’s where terraces, patios and seating areas are centred around and it’s where fruit, veg and flowers thrive.
When house hunting, a south-facing garden is often remarked as one of the most important aspects of a happy home, but obviously that option is not available to many of us.
If you don’t know what direction your garden faces, the easiest way to tell is to stand in it, facing to the rear and use a compass or app on your phone. If the compass says ‘south’, your garden is south facing, reports RSVP Live.
There are ways to maximise the light in a north-facing garden to make the most of limited sunshine. Gardening expert Fiona Jenkins at MyJobQuote shared the best ways to brighten up your garden space.
The Differences Between North/East/South/West Facing Gardens
The direction that your garden faces will determine how much sunlight flows into the space and at which times of the day the sunshine is available in the space. The most popular garden is a south-facing garden.
Most estate agents and letting agents alike will boast about a property’s south-facing garden because this is the type of garden that gets the most sun throughout the course of a day.
- North-facing gardens receive the least amount of sunlight and can be prone to becoming damp
- South-facing gardens receive the most light throughout the day
- East-facing gardens receive sunlight in the mornings
- West-facing gardens receive sunlight in the late afternoons and evenings
If you’re the owner of a north-facing garden, you might be disheartened by the lack of sunlight that illuminates your outdoor space. The gloominess of the area could deter you from spending time there.
However, there are several strategies you can employ to brighten up the space and inject some life into it.
Eliminate Obstacles
If you’re fortunate enough to have some degree of sunlight reaching your garden, you’ll want to maximise this by eliminating any obstacles. This could include trees, structures, fences, shrubs, or anything else that might be blocking the natural light.
Reflect The Light
One of the most effective ways to introduce more light into your space is to find methods to reflect the sunlight. A prime example is incorporating a pond into your garden.
The water from the pond will bounce light around your garden. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective solution or don’t have room for a pond, consider attaching mirrors to outbuildings or using mirrors as decorative features throughout the garden to reflect light.
Position Your Furniture in The Sunniest Spot
If you have an outdoor seating area, you want to think carefully about where this is placed so you can enjoy it to its full potential. Examine your garden and determine where the sun is at the times when you want to use your garden the most.
Once you’ve found the spot, consider placing a patio or decking area in that part of the garden so that you can create a furniture space that’s great for relaxing or entertaining.
Use The Shaded Space For a Children’s Play Area
You shouldn’t overlook the shaded parts of your garden. These areas offer the best levels of protection from dangerous UV rays, making them the perfect spaces for children and pets to enjoy the garden.
Take advantage of your garden’s shaded parts by creating fun things for the children, such as a sandpit or a swing and slide set.
