This is where I would like to set up my raised beds this year. Right now it gets about 7 hours of direct sunlight from sunrise to mid afternoon. I’m assuming that will probably increase as summer approaches. Will this be enough sunlight, or should I move them to a different spot that will get more sunlight?
by tickleshits54321
14 Comments
You definitely want more than that if you wanna grow tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash just to name a few. If it’s an option definitely give yourself max sun.
I believe most summer vegetables want 10-12 hours of sun.
If you moved the planters further East (like 10 feet), out of the shadow of your neighbors home, they will probably get enough sun.
This is kind of a janky way to do it but if you go to Redfin, plug in your property address, and scroll down to a section called Sun Exposure at the bottom it takes you to an app called Shadowmap. You can change the date and see how the sun moves over the course of the year.
If you go straight to Shadowmap it only shows you today’s conditions and if you want to see other times it wants you to pay, so I just go through Redfin when I want to see how an area in my garden will be affected.
That would be good for Herbs you need more sun for Veggies.
Depending on what you are growing, you’ll probably be fine. Most “normal” vegetable garden plants don’t do well in the intense afternoon sun of, I’m guessing, central Florida.
When people talk about “full sun” they aren’t considering what its like south of I-10. However, if I was you, I’d talk to some local gardeners to see if they have recommendations of varieties of plants bc there are some that are better suited to Florida than others.
Thanks everyone. I’ll monitor the area throughout the week to try to find more of a sweet spot. I was kinda thinking it wasn’t enough sunlight, but now I’ve got confirmation.
Ugh as someone who grows in a part sun vegetable garden (6hrs) that will be fine. I don’t know why there is so much misinformation on this. 7 hours IS enough to grow cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, sweet potatoes and so on. I know because I do it every year. Harvests will be slightly delayed maybe a couple weeks but it’s not a big deal. Also you are in Florida where it gets crazy hot in summer. If you had 10+ hours sun exposure in Florida you’d be begging for some shade. Come summer you’ll likely get 8 or 9 hours in my opinion that’s perfect.
I live in Phoenix and this would be fine for most veggies if you get as much sun and as hot as we do. If you’re in the rare, temperate area of FL, you might need more if your sun isn’t as intense… But most veggies are fine with ~6 hours.
I would think this is what you want, West shade morning sun
Wasted space
I have a bed in a similar situation. I grow all my hot peppers there (I don’t need a huge crop) and my lettuce. One year I stuck cherry tomatoes there but they got very gangly and produced a lot less than the cherry tomatoes in 14 hour sun areas.
You can grow stuff but expect to produce less.
You’re fine. I get like 5 hours of good sun and everything grows wonderfully.
I personally would grow along the south fence.
Just going to point out that if you put it on the north side, it faces south