Gardening 101: How to Determine Sunlight in Your Garden

Whether you're planting vegetables, flowers, or shrubs, determining sunlight in your garden is crucial since different plants require varying amounts of light to grow and thrive. Without knowing how much sun your garden gets, you might end up planting sun-loving plants in shaded areas, or vice versa, leading to poor growth. By assessing sunlight first, you can ensure that each plant gets the right amount of light for healthy, productive growth.

Determine Your Gardens Exposure

To determine your garden’s exposure, use a compass app to see which direction the areas of your garden face to get an idea on how much sunlight it'll receive.

• Full Sun (6+ hours of sunlight): South-facing gardens usually get more than six hours of direct sunlight daily, ideal for sun-lovers like flowering and fruit trees. 

• Partial Sun/Shade (3–6 hours of sunlight): East or west-facing areas receive direct sunlight for part of the day, either in the morning or afternoon.

• Full Shade (less than 3 hours of sunlight): Areas in full shade might only receive dappled light or little direct sunlight, usually found in north-facing areas.

Observe Light Throughout the Day

The next step is to observe how sunlight moves around your garden at different times of the day, being mindful of shady spots created by obstructions like buildings or the canopies of trees. These obstructions can block sunlight and create more shade than the gardens direction alone would suggest. By tracking the sun's path over the course of a day, you can easily divide your garden into sections based on how much sun they get—either by drawing a simple map or taking photos of your garden at various times of the day. 

Consider Seasonal Changes 

The amount of sunlight your garden gets can change throughout the year. In the summer, the sun is higher, and some areas may get more light, while in the winter, the sun is lower, and those areas may shift into more shade. Keep this in mind when planning for different seasons as these shifts can affect plant health, especially in gardens with less exposure to sunlight during the colder months.

Conclusion

By simply observing how sunlight moves throughout the day and tracking your garden's light exposure, you can figure out the best planting areas. Understanding your garden’s light will help you choose plants that will thrive in their environment, ensuring a successful and beautiful garden!