South facing garden - I'm burning up!

[Anticyclone]

Everyone always goes on about how having a south facing garden is very desirable. I just tried to have a picnic in the garden with the DC, and the sun is absolutely relentless! Especially at lunch time. I've had to rig up sheets to try and create some kind of shade. There is just nowhere to hide from it! I know it's good to have some sun in winter, and I do appreciate that, but I just can't stand this heat....

[AnneWiddecombesHandbag]

I have south facing garden. We hardly ever spend any time out there as it's so hot in the sun. I always advise people against buying a house with south facing! I'm siting in my lovely cool north facing front room which is the only benefit haha

[GreenStars]

I've had to put up a bloody tent to give DS some shade to play in, absolutely sweltering!

I wouldn't change a south facing garden though, worth it for the lovely sunny evenings for BBQs.

[AnneWiddecombesHandbag]

I don't like bbqs so don't even have that benefit haha

[Waspsarewankers]

I'm in the sun in my small north facing garden. Had breakfast put here in the morning Sun too. Have a nice shady spot just in front of the house for when I want to cool off.
What I love about this garden is that come this evening and can sit in the evening sun with a glass of wine- a reason why I was very happy to leave my South facing garden in our old house. When I was working full time I never got to see any evening sun in my old south facing garden. Here I can enjoy it until it sets.

[BarbaraOcumbungles]

As if we’re having our first day of nice weather in 6 months and you’re moaning about it!

I’ve been outside a day, it’s heaven!

[Thingywhatsit]

I think I spend more money on cooling my well insulated house in the summer than heating in winter! On 2nd day of 24 degrees and I am now dreading the summer - I have a west facing garden and we can only use it until midday when the sun is out.

Am gonna try rig up one of those sail things over part of the garden for a bit of shade this summer. On the plus side - as long as the sun is out it's usually hot enough for the paddling pool! (Always fun filling that up with no outside tap arghhhhh)

[PutACrossOnTheDoor]

We have a south facing back garden and there's not a patch of shade at all right now. The opposite garden is north facing and they have half shade and half sun, know which I'd prefer in the height of summer. And the wasps that sit on our house baking in the sun aren't a big hit either.

Is it a west facing garden that gets sun mostly in the evenings? Think I'd prefer that tbh.

[Dogsrbarking]

When my dd was born we had a South facing garden. All through my pregnancy I had these wistful thoughts of spending our days in the garden. It never happened. Once dp and I tried having dinner at 7.30pm and had to come in as it was too hot.

Now we have a North West facing garden. Our patio is always in the shade and the lawn is mostly in the sun. I love it!!

[FuckyNel]

I’ve got a west facing garden - sun from about lunchtime right through to sunset

[Kismett]

You're making me feel better about our north facing garden! I didn't realize orientation was an issue when we bought the house, and then I read so many people here saying they'd never buy one that was north facing. It's not brilliant in the winter but we wouldn't want to be out then anyway. Our garden is very small and I can already see that it will have plenty of sun. I was out there today, going between the sun and shade.

[crazymumofthree]

Honestly love having a south facing garden! It's like being on holiday when the suns out and we have a big parasol to cover the kids play area! Also walking into the house from being outside the front room is lovely and cool 😎

[cestlavielife]

Get a large parasol
Or more permanent fixed shade

[cestlavielife]

www.dunelm.com/product/leanover-parasol-cream-1000112405

For example

[GreenTulips]

You can buy awnings like the butchers used to have - cheap and keep the back room cool as well

[Titsywoo]

I have a south facing garden but enjoy having the sun for most of the day - plus my bedroom is at the front so is always cool :)

I used to live in a house with a west facing garden which was great as the time I am most likely to sit outside is midday onwards and my patio was up high with a good view and I could watch the sunset.

[sothisisspring]

Agree. What happened to spring? I love spring. Going from being from too cold to too hot is not nice at all.

[Mamaohana]

I’ve a south west back garden and seriously considering green tulips’ awning suggestion! Why do people faff about with rubbish parasols?