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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think this garden will be ok?

106 replies

Marino · 21/02/2021 13:25

Excuse the blurry pic, just to give a rough idea on sizes. It's a fairly small new build garden and unfortunately north facing! Ticked plot is ours.

We don't have the garage from the original plans, so my logic is it may be ok as with no garage there's room for sun to come in through there, we will get sun at bottom half of garden (atleast half, right?) and in the summer months when it's up high we'll have plenty.

Am I right, or am I daft?

To think this garden will be ok?
OP posts:
PADH · 21/02/2021 14:28

@Marino

This picture shows it a bit more clearly, it has a compass too (red line showing where as I couldn't see it at first!)

I think it's fully north facing based off that. The front garden is south facing and once we've fenced it off would be usable but is small.

In that case, given all the other benefits the plot has I would go for it. We just have a bench out the front to sit in, and nicer flowers. If we ever have a paddling pool out (very rare) then use it in the front, and the rest of time the back is fine. I don't think a south facing back is worth chosing a plot where you're more overlooked and closed in
Slugslasher · 21/02/2021 14:29

Don’t buy it. You’ll regret it.

Original poster
Marino · 21/02/2021 14:33

Surely this red area would get a decent amount of sun? We're moving our patio to the bottom of the garden and the side area has no obstructions bar our cars?

To think this garden will be ok?
OP posts:
Janus · 21/02/2021 14:34

It’s going to be sunny this week, is it possible to visit once at about 11 and once at about 3 and see where the sun is on the plot? Or has it not been built yet?!

Fourleafclover93 · 21/02/2021 14:41

@Marino I have a North facing garden and get the sun all day. All the houses on my side of the road are bungalows which probably helps.

I have relatives in the same street with South facing garden and I get sun later in the evening than them because theres two storey houses next to them.

You won't really know till you move in and see

titchy · 21/02/2021 14:41

Your house will obstruct the sun, and in the evenings the garage on the left. It's possible for an hour or two at midday in midsummer that the area you've shaded will be in sun. But none of the garden closest to your house will be. Draw a 'smile' from the left of your picture to the right - the sun will follow that line starting on the right.

Bamaluz · 21/02/2021 14:42

It's hard to tell in the winter because the sun is so low, it will get more sun in the summer when it is higher.
Yes I think that area will get a lot of afternoon sun. It's a good width too which helps.

Ismellphantoms · 21/02/2021 14:43

I've got a small north facing garden on a new build estate. I've been amazed at the amount of sun I get. None from October until February, but the summer is gloriously sunny. I had a east facing garden before and it was in shade almost all the time. A lot depends on surrounding buildings. The house I wanted off plan was with a south facing garden, but now it's built, it's overshadowed by the neighbouring gardens and is in shade all day. If you can get to see your new garden, it's a good idea to see if you lose your sunlight to the houses round you. I'm really happy I lost the south facing garden and love my north facing one.

m0therofdragons · 21/02/2021 14:48

Our last house was north facing and never considered it an issue. I definitely still got sunburnt out there. Only mn and my dm have issues with it ime. Enjoy your lovely new home.

Tinkywinkydinkydoo · 21/02/2021 14:48

I used to have a small north facing garden, it wasn’t too bad in the summer as the sun will be directly over it, although it did get shade from around 3pm so got too cold for the kids to be in a pool after school etc. However the winter was another story, I don’t think my garden saw sun for a good few months during that time!

Merryoldgoat · 21/02/2021 14:52

My N (slightly NW) facing garden gets a lot of sun it’s quite a bit longer. It’s about 40m.

The first two close to the house don’t get much

After that the further 10-15 get a lot on the RHS.

The end gets a lot.

Suits us as we do get sun but I’d not like it if it were, say, more like 10m.

nokidshere · 21/02/2021 14:56

We have a north facing garden and we definitely get some sun as well as plenty of shade. We get enough sun to grow tomatoes outside. My boys lived in the garden when they were younger, being north facing didn't stop any enjoyment they had at all.

The only thing is that we live in a clay soil area so the garden is pretty wet between October and February.

Raindancer411 · 21/02/2021 14:58

I have a north east facing garden and was worried about it not getting sun. I didn't need to worry as it gets it first thing and then slowly we get shade directly out the back of the house but also sun a bit further up the garden. It's lovely to be able to go out in the shade on really hot days. Not that we get many.

Lazypuppy · 21/02/2021 15:13

We have a north facing garden and get so much sun. We don't get it in the morning but all afternoon once it works its way round to the side of the house.end of the garden as long as it is longer than the house will get sun

ILoveSlipperss · 21/02/2021 15:21

We don’t get any sun last 3pm in our garden. Which is a nightmare. Can’t even let my DD in the paddling pool because it’s cold when she gets out.

HarryLimeFoxtrot · 21/02/2021 15:26

How many stories is the house? If it’s just 2 stories it might be OK - if it’s 3 or even 4 stories then I’d definitely spend the extra for a south facing garden. Because a house that high will cast a long shadow.

Original poster
Marino · 21/02/2021 15:27

@HarryLimeFoxtrot

How many stories is the house? If it’s just 2 stories it might be OK - if it’s 3 or even 4 stories then I’d definitely spend the extra for a south facing garden. Because a house that high will cast a long shadow.
2 storey.
OP posts:
BunnyRuddington · 21/02/2021 15:30

We have a north facing garden and get so much sun. We don't get it in the morning but all afternoon once it works its way round to the side of the house.end of the garden as long as it is longer than the house will get sun

Looking at the house on the plans though, the garden doesn't look that long.

Mseddy · 21/02/2021 15:31

I live in a new build with a south facing
Garden (3 story so wouldn't have gone for North due to shade). We get the sun in the garden all day and the rooms in the back of the house are always flooded with light. The front of the house always seems a little on the dark side though. Like I'm laid on the sofa in our lounge at the front of the house. It's 15.30 and not dark outside, but it feels dark in here. Honestly I love the sun and love it in the summer. But it think there are positives and negatives to both. Through winter/autumn/spring I wish the house was lighter. Honestly in this country inside is just as important as outside

SurferRona · 21/02/2021 15:33

My house is exactly this aspect OP, NNW and @Bamaluz is exactly right. We get sun on the left near the house first thing (lazy breakfasts outside) then from late spring / in the summer we get sun for a quite few hours across the middle of the garden and ends top right as you’ve shaded. Frankly, the sun is way too strong a lot of the summer days, but eves and first thing is nice. I would never ever buy a south facing garden as we simply wouldn’t use it as way too warm in the months you want to be out- especially for little ones. That aspect is right for after school use when the days get a bit longer, so I wouldn’t worry.

SurferRona · 21/02/2021 15:35

Edit- NNE

newyeardelurker · 21/02/2021 15:37

I have a North facing garden maybe 7m wide by 15m long. It has a greenhouse at the far end which gets plenty of sun, and the corner which you hatched gets evening sun. Lots of summer sun when the sun is high in the sky. I prefer it to a previous west facing one where the sun overheated the kitchen. So like others have said, depends on size and surroundings but it looks OK to me from your plan.

dapsdaps · 21/02/2021 15:39

In the morning at the back the right hand side will be in shade, at noon the house will block the sun from the garden and in the evening the left hand side will be in shade. You'll get the evening sun so if you have the children's bedrooms at the back you'd need blackout blinds.

billy1966 · 21/02/2021 15:41

How deep is the garden?
From the map where the cars are and behind will get the best bit of south sun.

If the garden is around 30/40ft deep, you could get a bit but will have a dark evening garden unless from the left you get some north west sun.

If its full on north you could find yourself in darkness.

I past on several great houses for this very reason.
Afternoon and evening sun is life enhancing and I wouldn't take a house as a present without it.

You need to find out for absolutely sure and decide is it a deal breaker for you.

Look to the west of the plot to see what will obstruct the sun building wise and check the length of the garden.

Flowers
GreenOwl · 21/02/2021 15:42

I have a south facing garden and the heat and lack of shade in the summer are unbearable, we can't use the garden. I keep the curtains closed to keep the sun out and the living area is still too hot.

I don't know how much sun you'd get with that garden but the shade will be nice in the summer.

Our front garden is north facing and only gets the sun from 3pm onwards. It's more pleasant to sit there than in the back garden.

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