Is My Garden South Facing

Is My Garden South Facing?

Knowing the orientation of your garden is key to understanding how much sunlight it receives and what plants will thrive best. A south facing garden in the UK is often considered the ideal aspect because it catches the most sunlight throughout the day, creating a warm and bright outdoor space.

How to Tell If Your Garden Is South Facing

One simple way to check your garden’s orientation is by observing the sun’s movement. In the northern hemisphere, the sun rises roughly in the east, moves across the southern part of the sky, and sets in the west. If your garden gets sunlight mainly in the middle of the day and afternoon, it is likely south facing.

Another method is to use a compass or a smartphone compass app. Stand in your garden and point the compass towards the back of your house or the far end of your garden. If the direction is roughly south, your garden faces south.

You can also check your property on online map tools which often have a compass rose or north indicator. From this, you can determine the garden’s facing direction in relation to north.

Why South Facing Gardens Are Popular

South facing gardens benefit from the longest hours of direct sunlight during the day, especially from late morning to late afternoon. This warmth encourages healthy plant growth and makes outdoor spaces pleasant for relaxing and entertaining.

What to Do If Your Garden Faces Another Direction

Even if your garden is east, west or north facing, you can still create a beautiful outdoor space by choosing plants suited to the light conditions and designing the layout to maximise light and warmth.

Final Thoughts

By simply observing the sun or using a compass, you can quickly find out if your garden faces south. This knowledge helps you plan planting and garden activities to make the most of your outdoor space.