For a beginner gardener, there’s much to think about. What seeds to choose, to dig or not to dig, and very importantly, how to choose the best spot for your garden.
Your first criteria when choosing a garden site is sun. Vegetable plants generally require full sun. That’s a minimum of 6 – 8 hours of sun per day throughout the growing season. A few vegetables will grow in partial sun (4 – 6 hours of sun per day).
An easy way to determine how many hours of sun your yard really gets is to measure the shadows. Get your science cap on, you’re going to be collecting some data here. Don’t worry, though, the process is really easy.
I learned this method of tracking shadows from Brooklyn’s Backyard Farmer, Stacey Murphy. Stacey is a garden geek, and an expert at helping beginner gardeners grow lots of food in small spaces. Heck, I’ve been gardening for 43 years and I’ve learned a thing or two from her.
Stacey has trained thousands of growers all around the world to get the most out of their gardens. And right now, she is teaching a complimentary 4 part video workshop series. In the first video, she shares the one thing that successful gardeners do differently. Stacey is so inspiring, and she makes it simple and rewarding. If you want to maximize your vegetable garden, then this may just be one of the most important video series you’ll ever watch. Sign up right here.
Map Your Property
The first step in tracking shadows is to draw a map of your site as close to scale as possible. Include buildings, fences, bushes, trees and any other features, like ponds or streams.
Image provided by Stacey @bkfarmyards
Draw a dark circle to show the size and placement of tree trunks, and a larger circle to represent the leaf canopy. Color in all bushes and trees with a green colored pencil.
Track the Shadows
Image provided by Stacey @bkfarmyards
Ideally, you’ll be tracking shadows so you can choose the best spot for your garden on at least 3 days throughout the year – March 21st, June 21st, and September 21st. If you are interested in winter gardening, or live in a warmer climate, add December 21st to the list as well.
Because the position of the sun changes, every day of the year is different in terms of shadows. This exercise, however, will be quite effective and only needs to be done the 3 times a year I’ve mentioned. It may seem that shadows would be the same on the spring and fall equinox because the sun’s angle is the same, but they may differ because foliage on trees will be different.
Image provided by Stacey @bkfarmyards
On each of the dates I’ve mentioned you’ll need to go out and observe the sun and shadows every 3 hours. At minimum make observations at 9 a.m., 12 p.m., and 3 p.m. Adding 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. will provide even more data.
You are going to use colored pencils to record your findings. Choose a different color for each time you go out to observe.
Image provided by Stacey @bkfarmyards
Go out at 9 a.m. and observe the shadows and use a colored pencil to record the shadows. Be sure to record the time and color you are using. Do the same at 12 p.m. in a different color, and then again at 3 p.m. in a third color.
After you have completed this task, you will notice white areas on your paper. Those are the areas that clearly receive at least 6 hours of sun per day. You’ve found your garden spot!
Image provided by Stacey @bkfarmyards
Of course, there are other factors to consider when choosing the best spot for your garden. You wouldn’t want to plant in an area that is always wet, for example.
More Great Gardening Posts
Using Wood Chips in a Vegetable Garden
Growing Tomatoes: From Seed to Harvest
The Easy Way to Grow Raspberries
How to Grow, Harvest, and Cure Garlic
The Ins and Outs of Using Manure in Your Garden
To learn how to build a garden that builds healthy soil, be sure to check out my eBook The Art of Gardening: Building Your Soil.
You really can become a better gardener, and you really can grow healthy, nourishing produce. It’s all about the soil! Click here to learn more.
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
Megan Stevens says
I love your depth of experience! I have so much to learn. Thanks for these drawings and sharing so much detail in this post.
linda spiker says
Wow! I never knew this was a thing! Pinned.
Krystal says
Thank you so much for sharing! I’m passing it on to my mom. She’s a gardener and I know she will be happy to have this information.
Marie says
Great article, one more tool to my belt. It’s the first time I come across a way to track shadows. Thank you!
Emily @ Recipes to Nourish says
This is so cool! Love the graphics too.
Meg says
Excellent article. I have also found that I wait one year when I have moved to a new place to identify plants and sun patterns before I plan gardens and buildings. That one year time allows me to work on the inside of my living space and the next year to work on my outside space. This way you can ensure the survival of a late bloomer that may be a heritage plant.
Susan Vinskofski says
Great tip, Meg; thanks for stopping by!