Last Updated on November 10, 2022 by
Determining the amount of sunlight your garden receives is vital so that you can plant the appropriate plants. Too much sun can be just as bad as too little, and some plants need partial shade to thrive. This guide will help you determine how much sun your garden gets so you can make the most of it. Here are five tips to get you started:
1. Cut Down Big Trees
If your plants are getting too much sun, they can become dried out and stressed. On the other hand, they may become leggy and weak if they’re not getting enough sun.
One of the best ways to determine the perfect amount of sun exposure for your garden is to cut down any large trees that are shading it. This will allow you to control the sunlight your plants receive. You can also use a sun tracker to help you keep an eye on the amount of sun your garden is getting throughout the day.
You can call local arborists and leverage tree trimming to cut down or trim the trees in a way that neither leads to too much sun exposure nor shading. The arborists will help trim the trees perfectly, so you don’t have to worry about the mess. They will also help get rid of the trimmed trees.
2. Track the Sun’s Path
Choosing the right location is important if you want your garden to thrive. One of the most important factors to consider is sun exposure. To determine how much sun your garden will receive, you’ll need to track the sun’s path throughout the day. The best time to do this is in winter when things are at their lowest point in the sky.
Use a long stick or pole to mark the shadow cast by the sun at various times of the day. South-facing gardens will generally receive the most sun, while north-facing gardens will be shaded for much of the day. East- and west-facing gardens will fall somewhere in between. Once you’ve determined how much sun your garden receives, you can choose plants well-suited to those conditions.
3. Use a Sunlight Meter
Too much sun can scorch leaves and cause flowers to wilt, while too little sun can prevent plants from blooming. A sunlight meter is a simple tool that can help determine the amount of sun exposure in your garden.
To use a sunlight meter, simply place it in the sunshine and allow it to record the light intensity over some time. The results will give you an accurate reading of the sun exposure in your garden, which you can use to adjust your plantings accordingly. With a little trial and error, you can ensure that your plants get just the right amount of sun.
4. Consider the Time of Year
If a plant doesn’t get enough sun, it will likely be unhealthy and produce fewer fruits or flowers. Conversely, a plant can become dry and stressed if it gets too much sun. The best way to determine how much sun your garden gets is to observe it throughout the day during different seasons.
For example, in the summer, the sun will be high in the sky and provide more direct sunlight than in the winter when the sun is lower on the horizon. By taking note of these changes, you can ensure that your plants get the right amount of sun throughout the year.
5. Take Note of Your Garden’s Orientation
If your garden is in a sunny spot, you’ll be able to grow sun-loving plants like tomatoes, peppers, and squash. However, if your garden is in a shadier spot, you’ll need to choose plants that can tolerate less light, such as leafy greens and root vegetables.
Orienting your garden beds, so they run north to south will help ensure that each bed receives an equal amount of sun throughout the day. In addition, taking note of trees or other structures that cast shadows on your garden can help you determine which parts of the garden are the shady spots.
After reading this guide, you should better understand how to determine the sun exposure for your garden. Using a sunlight meter and noting the time of year and the garden’s orientation, you can ensure that your plants get just the right amount of sun. Additionally, by considering your area’s climate, you can ensure that your garden gets the perfect sun exposure for the plants you want to grow. With a little planning, you can ensure that your garden gets just the right amount of sun exposure.
