Choosing the Perfect Location: Prioritizing Sun Exposure

In New Zealand, positioning your greenhouse to capture maximum sunlight is key, especially during shorter winter days. Orient your greenhouse north-facing to take advantage of the sun’s northern arc in the southern hemisphere.

• North-Facing Orientation: Ensures even sunlight distribution, critical for plant growth in winter.  This only applies to longer greenhouses, if it's square the orientation doesn't so much matter, just the placement that it's getting sun vs in the shade.
• Site Selection: Choose a level, well-drained spot away from shade-casting structures or trees.
• Wind Protection: Use windbreaks like trellises to shield from New Zealand’s gusty conditions.

Designing the Internal Layout: Efficiency and Plant Health

A well-planned interior maximizes space and promotes healthy plants. Consider your crops—vegetables, herbs, or flowers—and organize accordingly.

• Paths and Access: Use gravel or paving stones for clean, accessible walkways.
• Benches and Shelves: Place sun-loving plants higher, shade-tolerant ones lower.
• Zoning: Group plants by needs, like tall cucumbers in the center and lettuce on edges.  Or if you're putting plants in containers on the ground, you can vine them up the roof from the sides.

Understanding Daylight Hours: Seasonal Strategies

New Zealand’s daylight varies from 15 hours in summer to 9 in winter, impacting growth. Plan your layout to make the most of available light.

• Maximize Light: Use glass for better light transmission and orient the greenhouse east-west.
• Supplemental Lighting: Add grow lights for winter or reflective surfaces to boost light.
• Seasonal Planning: Stagger plantings to align with daylight peaks for consistent yields.

Why Choose Winter Gardenz?

With nearly 20 years of experience, Winter Gardenz offers durable, customizable kitset greenhouses built for New Zealand’s climate. Explore our range and start growing today!