Such a north-facing garden might possibly not be completely shaded by the house? The sun is quite high in the south and the angle of incidence is very steep. In the sketch, it looks as if the garden facing north is almost twice as wide as the house. Solar panels could even be installed on the roof surface facing south, if desired. It could be advantageous that the house is hardly visible to neighbors, whose houses seem to be quite far away or only facing the narrow gable side. I also see snow shoveling as the actual disadvantage...