Sun Tracking in the Garden: A Beginner’s Guide
What Is Sun Tracking and Why It Matters!
When I first planted a garden of my own, I quickly realized that understanding sunlight was one of the most important (and sometimes overlooked) factors in growing healthy plants.
I’d excitedly planted flowers and vegetables, only to find some thriving while others struggled. It didn’t take long to figure out that the amount of sunlight each spot received made all the difference. That’s when I learned about sun tracking and how it helps you plan a more successful garden.
Why Sunlight Matters in the Garden
Sunlight is a plant’s fuel, and different plants have different needs. Some, like tomatoes and roses, demand full sun (at least six hours of direct sunlight daily), while others, like hostas and ferns, prefer shade.
Tracking the sun in your garden helps you choose the right plants for the right spots, preventing disappointment (aka dead plants), wasting your time, and wasting money.
Start Your Own Flower Garden!
How to Track the Sun in Your Garden
Sun tracking doesn’t require fancy tools—just some observation and patience. Here’s how you can do it:
1. Use the Shadow Method
One of the simplest ways to track the sun is by noting how shadows move throughout the day. (remember sundials?)
Take a notepad or make notes on your phone and check your garden at different times: early morning, midday, and late afternoon. Make a note of which areas get full sun, partial sun, or shade during a particular timeframe.
I will share how I use my phone camera for this in a minute.
2. Create a Sun Map
For a more detailed approach, draw a rough sketch of your garden. Over a few days, note which areas receive direct sun and for how long. Color-code or mark sections as:
- Full Sun (6+ hours of direct sunlight)
- Partial Sun (4–6 hours)
- Dappled Sun (light filtered through trees)
- Shade (less than 4 hours of direct sun)
3. An Easier Way – Take Photos
Snap photos at different times of the day to visually track sunlight patterns. How I do this is I choose a sunny, cloud-free day that I am going to be home, I start about 7 am. I go out to the garden and take a photo with my phone camera of a certain area.
I have different garden areas that get different amounts of sun so if I want to map another area, I will move to that area and snap a photo there as well.
I set my phone alarm for an hour later and go out to the garden, stand in the same spot as earlier and take another photo. I do this every hour until the sun sets.
It may seem tedious, but I usually have a day when I am doing mundane chores and can take a moment every hour to do this.
I create a folder in my photos on my phone for this and save all the sun mapping photos to that folder. That makes them easier to find later.
This method of going out every hour is easier for me to be more detailed rather than just a few times a day. This gives you a better feel for how the trees or neighboring buildings cast shadows that shift throughout the day.
4. Use Technology
I have heard there are apps like Sun Seeker and Sun Surveyor that can show you the sun’s path over your garden, including seasonal changes. These tools are handy if you’re planning a garden in winter or early spring before foliage fills in.
But I have not used them to verify whether they do the job well. But if you try one then please leave me a comment and let me know how well they worked for you.
5. Observe Season Changes
Sun patterns change throughout the year. In summer, the sun is higher in the sky, casting shorter shadows. In winter, it’s lower, creating longer shadows. If you’re tracking the sun for long-term garden planning, you may want to do the phone sun mapping trick every other month for a thorough record.
Using Sun Tracking to Plan Your Garden
Once you’ve mapped your sun exposure, you can confidently choose plants that will thrive:
- Full sun areas → Ideal for vegetables, herbs, and sun-loving flowers like zinnias and coneflowers.
- Partial sun → Great for plants like impatiens, bleeding hearts, and many perennials.
- Shady spots → Perfect for hostas, ferns, and other shade-tolerant plants.
Most plant labels will tell you what kind of sun conditions that plant will prefer, but don’t be afraid to experiment a little. Also, know you can slightly modify and area yourself. I mention that in my video, which is linked below.
If you’re growing in containers, sun tracking can help you move pots to the best-lit areas throughout the season.
Final Thoughts
Sun tracking might sound technical, but it’s just about paying attention to your garden and the sun. By understanding where the sun shines and when, you can make better planting choices, leading to a thriving, beautiful garden.
So grab a notebook or your cell phone, take a walk outside, and start mapping your sunlight—you’ll be amazed at how much of a difference it makes in understanding where the sun shines in your space!
Happy Gardening!
Hi, I’m Pamela
My goal is to cultivate the love of gardening and help make your gardening life more enjoyable!
Lol. My husband wonders at me sometimes too.
Very wise advice. I do this season to season. Every year, just in case my eyes deceive me 😊. It’s funny my husband will come and say “whatcha looking at”.. I’ll say honey “The sun and all it’s wisdom”
peace my friend 🫶🏼