Sunlight is the single biggest factor in whether a plant thrives or struggles. Enter how many hours of direct sun your garden spot receives and find out exactly which crops will grow there best.
💡 Gardening tip
| Category | Hours/day | Best suited crops |
|---|---|---|
| ☀️ Full Sun | 6 – 12h | Tomato, Pepper, Squash, Cucumber, Melon, Sweetcorn, Aubergine |
| 🌤 Partial Sun | 4 – 6h | Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Chard, Broccoli, Pea, Carrot, Beet |
| 🌥 Partial Shade | 2 – 4h | Mint, Parsley, Coriander, Chives, Sorrel, Rocket |
| 🌑 Full Shade | 0 – 2h | Very few edibles — consider ornamentals or ferns |
You can improve your soil, water on the perfect schedule, and feed your plants the best fertiliser — but if your garden spot doesn't get enough light, crops will still struggle. Sunlight drives photosynthesis, which is how plants convert energy into growth, flowers, and fruit.
Most seed packets and plant labels give a simple sun recommendation: "full sun", "partial shade", or "full shade". But understanding what those terms actually mean in practice makes a huge difference to plant selection.
The most accurate method is simple but requires a bit of patience. On a clear day, go outside every hour from sunrise to sunset and note whether your spot is in direct sun or shade. Count the hours of direct sun — that's your sun exposure number.
Bear in mind that sun patterns shift through the seasons. A spot that gets 8 hours of sun in June may only get 3 hours in December as the sun travels lower across the sky. Tall trees and neighbouring buildings cast longer shadows in autumn and winter.
The good news: most summer crops are planted when sun levels are at their peak, so a midsummer assessment is the most relevant one for growing vegetables.
☀️ Full Sun (6+ hours)
Crops in this category need heat and energy to set fruit. Tomatoes, peppers, courgettes, and cucumbers all fall here. Less than 6 hours and yields drop dramatically.
🌤 Partial Sun / Partial Shade (3–6 hours)
Leafy greens, brassicas, and root vegetables generally tolerate less sun. In fact, lettuce and spinach benefit from afternoon shade in midsummer — too much heat causes them to bolt.
🌑 Full Shade (0–2 hours)
Very few edible crops thrive in full shade. Mint, wild garlic, and sorrel are among the few. For deeply shaded spots, consider companion planting with ornamentals or using the space for composting.
A north-facing garden or one hemmed in by tall fences doesn't have to be unproductive. Focus on salad crops, herbs, and brassicas, which are far more tolerant of lower light than fruiting vegetables.
Reflective surfaces — white walls, light-coloured paving, or even a simple sheet of white polythene — can bounce additional light onto growing areas. Raised beds positioned near south-facing walls capture the most warmth and reflected light in the Northern Hemisphere.
Does dappled shade count as direct sun?
No. Dappled shade — light filtered through a tree canopy — does not count as direct sunlight. Only unobstructed sunshine counts. A spot that gets 3 hours of direct sun and 4 hours of dappled light should be treated as partial shade (3 hours).
Can I supplement sunlight with grow lights?
Yes, and it works well for seedlings and indoor crops. LED grow lights can add several hours of equivalent light exposure. However, for outdoor beds it is rarely practical — focus instead on selecting the right plants for your available light.
My tomatoes are fruiting but the fruits are small — could it be shade?
Possibly. Tomatoes need at least 8 hours to set large, flavourful fruit reliably. Six hours will produce a crop, but yields will be lower and fruit size smaller. If your spot gets only 4–5 hours, switch to smaller-fruited varieties like cherry tomatoes.
Do south-facing slopes get more sun?
Yes. A slope that faces south (in the Northern Hemisphere) receives sunlight at a more direct angle, increasing effective light intensity and heat. Even a gentle 5–10° south-facing slope can add the equivalent of 1–2 extra sun hours compared to flat ground.
How does season affect sun hours?
Significantly. At 52°N (UK, central Europe), the sun rises high in June and stays low in December. A June garden may get 16 hours of daylight but the sun angle matters — crops still need direct, high-angle sunlight to perform well. Track sun hours for the specific growing season of each crop.
Log each bed's location and light conditions once. The app uses that — plus your zone, your plants, and the season — to suggest exactly what to grow where.
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