sun tracker for gardening

How do I track my garden sun?

Measuring Sunlight

Take one of your maps, draw in all of the shadow lines and then shade in the shadow areas. Repeat this 4 times during the day to see how the shadow changes throughout the whole day. Using 9:00, 12:00, 3:00 and 6:00 works well. Make a map each time you do it.

How do I make a sun map for my garden?

How to make a sun map

Grab a blank piece of paper (standard printer paper is fine), a pencil, and a ruler. ...
Grab 3 colored pencils (I use yellow, red, and blue). ...
Shade in yellow the areas of your yard that receive more than six hours of sunlight per day.
Shade in orange the areas that receive 4-6 hours of sun per day.

What is the best sunlight for a garden?

the best sun is morning sun, it's that perfect cool morning light that wakes the plants up and gets them growing everyday. The worst light is afternoon and evening sun. That's the hot baking heat of the summer sun that just fries your plants and stresses them out so they won't produce.

Is morning sun or afternoon sun better for a garden?

Most vegetable plants are full-sun plants, requiring between six and eight hours of sunlight per day. Morning sun is preferable, as afternoon sun is hotter, and you don't want your plants to overheat during the hottest part of the day.

How many hours of sun is full sun?

Full sun is defined as six or more hours of direct sun per day.

How much sun does my yard Get App?

The Sun Seeker App, available for both iPhone and Android users, uses GPS to track which parts of your garden receive the most sun. You'll be able to use the app to add those plants that need full sun exposure and know where to plant those who prefer a little bit of shade.

How do you shade a sun garden?

For larger plants, make a screen by draping burlap or shade cloth over a cylinder of 3/4-inch mesh wire or by stapling either material to stakes set firmly in the ground. Also known as shade fabric, this woven material is useful as a temporary or long-term screen against hot sun and drying winds.

What do you do if your garden doesn't get enough sun?

There are some things you can do that will help you increase the amount of light your garden gets.

Paint the walls white. ...
Choose your hard landscaping materials carefully. ...
Highlight with plants. ...
Mirrors. ...
Use nature's mirror: water reflections. ...
Install a glass garden sculpture. ...
Crown thinning and canopy reduction.

Is 5 hours of sun enough for a vegetable garden?

Full sun vegetables need a minimum of six hours (usually at least eight) of sunlight per day. ... As such, they need enough sunlight to thrive, so choose a sunny spot for them. Vegetables such as peppers, squash, and cucumbers, also love growing in sun-kissed areas.

Where is the best place to plant a garden?

The best site for a vegetable garden should incorporate the following: At least six hours of sunlight daily, good drainage and air circulation, and a level location with loose, rich soil. There should also be a nearby source of water, and ideally, convenient access to tool storage and equipment.

Should vegetable gardens be in full sun?

Like all plants, vegetables need the sun to kick-start photosynthesis. ... The fastest-growing vegetables need full sun (at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight a day) without blockage from trees, shrubs, or fences.

Do tomatoes prefer morning or afternoon sun?

For healthy growth, tomato plants require at least 8 hours of direct sunlight a day. However, the hours of sunlight do not need to be consecutive. This means that tomatoes can be grown successfully in both morning and afternoon sun as long as the number of hours adds up to 8 or more.

Is afternoon sun good for plants?

Most plants requiring either part sun or part shade do well in filtered light for most of the day, or direct sun during the morning or afternoon. Keep in mind that several hours of afternoon sun are more intense and create more heat than morning sun. ... For either group, providing direct morning sun is a good choice.

Can a garden get too much sun?

Too much sun overwhelms the delicate membranes that allow for photosynthesis within the leaves of the plant. Initially, it just slows growth. Over a very short period of time, the membranes break down… and eventually, it kills the plant.

Do carrots need a lot of sun to grow?

Carrots need a location that receives full sunlight, though they can tolerate partial shade, too. As discussed above, soil must be loose, sandy or loamy, and airy so that carrot roots can easily push down through the soil.

Do Tomatoes need full sun to grow?

“Six to eight hours of sun is all a tomato plant needs,” says tomato expert Scott Daigre. “Shade accordingly.” Tomatoes thrive in full sun.

What vegetables grow best in full sun?

The best vegetables and fruits for FULL SUN:

Cucumbers.
Squash.
Watermelon.
Cantaloupe.
Eggplant.
Tomatoes.
Peppers.
Corn.

Is an east facing garden good?

East Facing Gardens

East-facing gardens mainly get morning sunlight that lasts well into the afternoon with evening shade. ... We should, however, remember that the evenings are longer from May to October so the back-boundary wall is going to be bathed in sun for some time.

What part of my yard gets the most sun?

Full Sun or Full Shade

The west side of your home may also receive full sun. Full shade locations are typically on the north side of the home or have tall, full trees to the south. To determine full sun or full shade, look at the area in the morning and mid-morning and watch throughout the day until dusk.

Where is the sunniest spot in my yard?

However, many new gardeners may not be sure which part of the yard is the best spot to dig a garden bed or place a raised planter. One of the easiest ways for finding the sunniest spot in the yard is to do a sun survey. All you need is a day at home, good observation skills, a pencil and a piece of paper.