I'm trying to find a good spot on my property that gets around 8 hours of sunlight for my garden, but I'm worried about potential shade from surrounding structures and trees. Since I can't monitor the sunlight patterns throughout the day, are there any tips or tricks I might be missing to determine if an area receives enough sun?
3 Answers
You might want to check out the sun's path! You don't need to monitor all day; just a few checks during the day can help identify which spots are shaded at different times. If you're too busy, consider setting up a camera for time-lapse photography. I've done that before, and it gives a clear view of how the sunlight changes. In my own small yard, I have plants that do well in partial shade, like greens and lettuces in the morning sun.
A little shade isn't the end of the world, especially if your garden is in a warmer area. It helps to watch the sunlight patterns throughout the year. My advice? Experiment with different plants and see what thrives in your chosen spot!
There's this cool app called Sun Surveyor for about $10 that might help you out. It can give you a pretty good idea of sun exposure in your yard!