Dr. Jared Barnes, Stephen F. Austin State University associate professor of horticulture, was recently interviewed by The New York Times about his horticultural knowledge and experiences. I wrote this article today based on this interview.
Perfect sunlight is the key to successful gardening.
What happens to the crop due to sunlight falling on the crop?
And what is in the sunlight that causes crops to grow so well?
And How Much Sun Does a Vegetable Garden Need?
This process is called photosynthesis. They capture energy from sunlight and use it to convert water and carbon dioxide into carbohydrates (sugars).
Plants then use the carbohydrates to grow. most vegetable plants require full sun (6+ hours a day) to produce the fresh foods we love.
The 3 most important factors in organic vegetable gardening are location, location, and location.
If you want a location with abundant sunshine, good drainage, away from shrubs and trees and their competing roots, and close to an irrigation source.
If you want to be a successful gardener? then you need to know important facts.
FACTS: Good Soil, Location, Best month for planting, Prepare garden Plan, Essential tools you need, Water your garden at the right time, Mulch your garden, Take care of your garden regularly, hybrid fruit, garden features, bird food plants should also be known about these.
If you start gardening in a location without enough sunlight (for example: 6 to 8 hours of sunlight) then you are guaranteed to be disappointed.
Because no vegetables will grow in shady places.
If you start gardening in a shady spot like 3-4 hours, you won’t be able to grow anything but maybe you can grow a few tomato plants.
Let’s start…
Table of Contents
3 – 4 Hours of Sunlight
You can grow some of these crops in these 1 to 3 hours of sunlight.
Like: collards, kale, mustard greens, swiss chard, lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, collards, and endive.
5 – 6 Hours of Sunlight
Think about root crops like carrots, radishes, beets, cucumbers, collards, chicory, onions, and potatoes, in addition to the leafy crops.
7 – 8 Hours of Sunlight
You can grow fruiting crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, beans, watermelon, swiss chard, okra, eggplant strawberries, and more.
If your selected area does not get direct sunlight, then you will never be able to grow vegetables.
No matter how healthy your garden soil is, it won’t do any good.
Vegetables will never grow well in wet soil.
If there is an area in your backyard that gets a fair amount of sunlight, clean up that area.
How to Test Soil for Gardening if there is no idea about the soil of the selected garden area.
Here are some Soils in the United States commonly used for gardening.
If your backyard location has moist soil, you can create raised garden beds 5 to 6 inches high.
Do not make the beds more than 3 feet wide so that you can reach them from both sides without stepping on them.
If your garden soil is not very good, you can improve your soil with compost and grow vegetables to add that soil to the raised garden beds.
Note: The roots of black walnut trees release a toxic compound that can kill some plants. Along with potatoes, eggplants, peppers, and tomatoes, these black walnut roots cause plants to dry out and are very likely to die.
Tips
When you decide on a place to garden, it is important to keep in mind that it is very important to be close to a water source and where to put your garden.
Eventually, your organic vegetable garden will need water at some point during the summer.
If your garden area is not near a water source then you will need to spend some small amount of money to buy a garden hose.
Check Also: Some farmers’ markets in the United States and Agriculture in the United States by State or Territory
Garden Sunlight Calculator
Have a Green Thumb Anytime with the Sonkir MS02 Soil Tester.
Know exactly what your plants need.
The Sonkir MS02 is a 3-in-1 tester that takes the guesswork out of plant care.
This handy tool measures:
- Soil: Never over or underwater your plants again.
- Soil pH Level: Ensure your soil has the right balance for healthy growth.
- Sunlight Level: Check if your plant is getting enough light to thrive.
Easy to Use
- Simply stick the tester into the soil.
- Wait a few minutes.
- Read the easy-to-understand display.
No Batteries Needed…
Here’s what real customers love
- Sturdy and reliable (4.5-star rating)
- Easy to use (3.9-star rating)
- Great value for the price (3.7-star rating)
Things to Consider
- Some users found the accuracy to be lower than expected (3.2-star rating).
- This tester is for soil only, not other liquids.
Special Reminders
- If the soil is very dry, water it before testing.
- The default pH reading might be around 7 (neutral). This doesn’t necessarily mean your tester is broken.
Order your Sonkir MS02 Soil Tester today and watch your plants flourish
Herb Garden Sunlight Requirements
If a garden gets at least 4 to 5 hours of sunlight every day then any herb will grow very well there.
However, most herbs require a fair amount of sunlight to grow well.
Some herbs can tolerate full sun (6–8 hours a day) such as rosemary, lavender, and basil.
How to Increase Sunlight in Garden
Want your small garden to feel bigger?
Here are some quick tips: Paint your walls white to brighten the space, and use light-colored stones or pebbles for walkways.
Strategically placed mirrors or a reflective water feature will create the illusion of more space.
Even pruning your trees to allow more light in can make a big difference.
Order your Garden mirror to track the sun to provide light where it’s most needed springs.
Conclusion: How Much Sun Does a Vegetable Garden Need?
Thanks for reading… Now you know how much sunshine your vegetable garden needs to thrive.
By understanding sunlight needs and planning accordingly, you’ll be well on your way to a bountiful harvest.
If you’ve read this whole article, you’ve got a good grasp of sunlight requirements for vegetables.
In my next post, we’ll discuss the Essential tools you’ll need to get your garden started.
Discover the best gardening tools and essentials thoughtfully selected by Daily Life Tools for your success.
Stay tuned…
By – Victoria Bernes
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