Sunlight and Location Helper

Sunlight & Location Helper

Choose a garden location based on sunlight, water access, drainage, safety, and convenience.

Choosing the right garden spot is just as important as buying plants. A good location makes gardening easier from day one.

Understanding Sunlight

Different plants need different amounts of light. Watch your chosen spot for a full day before deciding.

Full Sun6+ hours of direct sunlight per day

Examples: Tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, most vegetables

Partial Sun4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day

Examples: Herbs, lettuce, some flowers, kale

Partial Shade2-4 hours of direct sunlight per day

Examples: Spinach, hostas, ferns, some ground covers

ShadeLess than 2 hours of direct sun

Examples: Mostly non-edible ground covers, shade-loving ornamentals

What to Observe Before You Decide

•Morning sun direction and strength

•Afternoon sun direction and strength

•Shade from nearby buildings at different times

•Shade from trees (may change with leaves)

•Water access — hose or spigot distance

•Slope and natural drainage direction

•Foot traffic patterns across the area

•Children and pets access to the space

•Nearby utilities — overhead and underground

Good Location Signs

✓Easy and safe to reach from your home
✓Safe, clear walking path to the garden
✓Enough sunlight for your chosen plants (test for a full day)
✓Water source nearby — hose, spigot, or rain barrel
✓Not blocking doors, windows, or pathways
✓Room to walk around and between beds
✓Level or gently sloped ground for good drainage
✓Not under overhanging power lines or large trees

Warning Signs

!Standing water after rain — poor drainage can drown plants
!Very steep slope — erosion, instability, and safety risks
!Unknown buried utilities — always call 811 before digging
!Heavy shade for sun-loving vegetables
!Near unsafe heights — ladders, roofs, gutters
!Too far from water — you will water less often than needed
!Chemical contamination concern — old fuel tank, painted debris, treated wood
!Children or pets may be at risk from stakes, tools, or chemicals

What to Do Next

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Watch the space for one full day (morning, noon, and evening)

Take notes on how much sun the area gets each time

Check for standing water after rain

Walk the path from water source to garden spot

Call 811 (free) before any digging to check for buried utilities

Start small — test the spot for one season before expanding

Choose plants that match the actual light level you observed

Ask a local garden center or extension office if unsure

Before digging, call 811 to check for underground utilities — it is free and required by law in most areas. Avoid unsafe slopes, contaminated soil, drainage problems, or areas where children or pets may be at risk.