Best aspect for a back garden, south east or north west??

[Pannacotta]

When does the sun leave your garden if it faces either South East or North West?
I like the evening sun but not sure how much sun you would get and till what time facing North West, also woudl you get any sun into the house
Current garden is North East and its fine in the morning but pretty cool by the late afternoon...

[Bluestocking]

I have a north-facing garden. When we move, a south-facing garden will be top of my must-have list!

[Pannacotta]

But doesnt the sun leave a south facing garden quite early on, about 3/4 ish? Thats what I dont know about having never had a south facing garden!

[Katsma]

In theory, a SE facing garden gets the morning sun and loses it by the afternoon.

A NW facing one shouldn't get any at all. Perhaps the end of the garden would get some evening sun.

In my experience though, this is a tough one to call. Houses are rarely built actually on one of these eight axes, but slightly in one direction or the other iyswim.

Also, the surroundings such as other houses, trees, etc change that particular gardens light characteristics. And so does the time of year and hence how high the sun is.

NVH (not very helpful), sorry

[Katsma]

A true S facing one has the sun all day. Often used by estate agents as a big selling feature.

I insisted on S facing for my garden this time (Keen gardener and patio dweller)

[Bluestocking]

It would depend on the size of the garden, and on the buildings and trees surrounding it. But in general a south-facing garden will get the most hours of sunlight.

[Frizbe]

we have a west facing garden and its too hot in the summer (when the sun is out) with a north facing garden, as least you get a bit of natural shade from your house, then assuming the rest of the garden is big enough sun in the afternoon/evening.

[hippipotami]

We have a southfacing garden. The sun is on it all day. We have had to buy one of those tilting parasol things and angle it morning (east) and afternoon (west) to give a bit of shade.

It is lovely though. Would highly recommend it!

[smiley20]

Looking at buying a house with an east facing garden, but worried about not having any sun late afternoon for bbqs/glass of wine! The garden has a flat patio outside back door, then is tiered up to a small grassy area which has a table on left hand side(obviously gets some sun) then a very steep bank going to the top of the garden (which does have the sun on but it is far to steep to sit on) I have a south facing garden at present so have been spoiled with lots of sunny evenings. Can anyone help.

Thanks