Garden orientation
North-facing and south-facing gardens – what works and what doesn’t
Every garden is shaped by light, water, wind and soil. But the factor most people underestimate is orientation. The direction your garden faces determines how sunlight moves through the space and which plants will thrive.
This guide explains how garden orientation affects planting, soil behaviour and design decisions for gardens in Kingston, Surbiton, Richmond, Cobham and across Surrey.
How to tell which way your garden faces
Stand at your back door and look out into the garden. The direction you are looking is roughly the orientation of the garden.
You can confirm this with a phone compass or by observing where the sun falls at different times of the day.
Most gardens in Kingston, Richmond and Surbiton are not perfectly north or south facing. Many sit diagonally, such as south-west or north-east facing.
What north-facing really means
A north-facing garden receives little direct sunlight for most of the day.
What south-facing really means
South-facing gardens receive sunlight for most of the day.
East-facing and west-facing gardens
East-facing gardens
Gentle morning light and afternoon shade.
West-facing gardens
Warmer afternoon and evening sunlight.
Wind exposure and garden orientation
Wind direction can significantly affect comfort, planting and moisture levels.
How orientation affects soil moisture
- North-facing soil stays damp longer
- South-facing soil dries quickly
- East-facing warms early
- West-facing retains heat later
How orientation affects garden design
Orientation influences layout, materials and planting.
Hard landscaping
Lighter materials reflect light, darker materials absorb heat.
Seating areas
Position seating based on sun exposure and comfort.
Planting design
Select plants suited to light and soil conditions.