The Sun is Your Best Friend

Find out how long the sun spends directly shining into your yard. You must find the area where full sun shines for at least 6-8 hours per day. This is where you want your garden to be located. The more sun, the more successful your summer garden will be. Cool weather (fall/winter/spring) crops require less sun, this works well since the sun in winter, spring and fall will be lower in the sky,

 Beware of tall trees, hills, buildings, fences, etc. that might shade your plants. Summer sun will travel straight overhead and therefore give the best chance for an 8-hour window, whereas winter sun will follow a path that drops down in the southern sky.

Some people’s might is to want to locate their food garden somewhere neatly against the fence or tucked away next to the house when, in fact, the best place for a garden might be smack dab in the middle of your yard!  As a garden consultant, the first thing Ilook at in a client’s space is: Where is the southern exposure?  Maybe the best place for your garden is your  front yard!