Don't Skip This Step When Adding Plants to Landscaping

Our real estate agents can tell you that no matter how green-thumbed you are, the success of your garden still depends on a higher power. Before you design your garden, buy seeds, or get into the weeds with a new vegetable patch or flower bed, it's important to consult one of the top arbiters of horticultural success: the sun. Just like choosing plants for your climate zone, you also have to pick the right spot for your garden. This means determining how much sun exposure your garden will get, especially in areas where tall buildings and trees cast shifting patterns of shade. The method you'll use to choose the best area for your plants is called sun mapping.

Why Map Sun Exposure in Your Garden?

Solar energy is fuel for plants, but this doesn't mean that all plants require the same amount of sun exposure. Some plants need full sun, which means 6-8 hours of direct sunlight a day. Plants labeled as part sun and part shade require 3-6 of sunlight each day, while those labeled as shade need 3 hours or less of sunlight a day.  A sun map can give a clear picture of where and when the sun hits throughout the day. This can help you plan the landscape around your home and determine the best area for certain crops. Tracking sun exposure and shade patterns on clear days during different months of the growing season will give you a guideline for planting a healthy garden.

How to Make a Sun Map of Your Garden

There are two main methods of tracking the sun's movement across your garden:

1. Write it Down
   To make a sun map using this method, you'll need a ruler, graph paper, and colored pencils. Draw a crude map of your proposed garden area. Be sure to include buildings, trees, shrubs, tall fences, and any other structure that may cast shadows. You don't have to be a skilled artist to draw a sketch of your yard, but try to be as accurate as possible.
   
   Pick a sunny day to do your sun map because clouds can make it difficult to identify shady spots. Then from early morning, observe the sun and use the colored pencils to mark down where the shade is and where sunlight hits You can use different pencil colors to distinguish between morning, afternoon, and evening shadows. Repeat the process every 1-2 hours for an entire day. Be sure to write down the time of each observance marked on the map. When you're done, you'll have something that looks like a topographical map.
   
   
2. Take Regular Photos
   Set aside one day a week during the growing season to figure out how the sun moves across your garden. Take a photo of your yard or garden in 2-hour intervals starting with sunrise. Make sure the camera's position or settings don't change because you want each shot to have the same focus, frame, and exposure. You'll be able to compare all the pictures and see if the section you're planning to have your garden on gets enough sun. This is a great method because you can easily flip back through the images. You might discover patterns you may not have thought to write if you were to sun map using the sketching method.

Whichever method you use, understanding how sun and shade work can help you have more success in your garden. If you're looking to buy a home featuring a large sunny backyard, our team at Laffey Real Estate will help you with the search and guide you through the steps ahead of you. Contact us today to check out potential homes.