How Much Sun Does My Garden Get?
Free tool to map sunlight patterns throughout the day and year. Essential for planning where to plant.
Map My GardenUnderstanding Sun Exposure Categories
Full Sun
6+ hours
Direct, unfiltered sunlight for at least 6 hours per day.
Best for: Tomatoes, peppers, squash, corn, roses, lavender, most vegetables and fruits.
Partial Sun/Shade
4-6 hours
Some direct sun, some filtered light or shade during the day.
Best for: Lettuce, spinach, kale, herbs, hydrangeas, astilbe, many ferns.
Shade
<4 hours
Mostly indirect light with minimal direct sun exposure.
Best for: Hostas, impatiens, ferns, moss, some wildflowers, mushrooms.
What Causes Shade in Gardens?
Buildings & Structures
Houses, garages, sheds, and fences cast shadows that move throughout the day. In winter, these shadows are longer and can shade areas that are sunny in summer.
Trees
Mature trees can shade large areas. Deciduous trees allow winter sun through after leaves drop. Evergreens block light year-round.
Neighbor's Property
Structures on neighboring properties—especially to the south—can cast shadows into your garden, particularly in winter when the sun is low.
Terrain
Hills, slopes, and raised beds affect sun exposure. North-facing slopes (Northern Hemisphere) receive less direct sunlight than south-facing slopes.
How to Map Your Garden's Sun Exposure
- 1
Open SunMap and Find Your Garden
Navigate to your property and zoom in until you can see your garden area clearly. You should be able to see buildings, fences, and trees that might cast shadows.
- 2
Start with Summer (Best Case)
Set the date to June 21 (Northern Hemisphere). This shows maximum sun exposure when days are longest and the sun is highest. This is your best-case scenario.
- 3
Track Shadows Hour by Hour
Move the time slider from sunrise to sunset, watching how shadows move across your garden. Note which areas are shaded at each hour. You might sketch a simple map.
- 4
Calculate Hours of Sun
For each area of interest, count how many hours it receives direct sunlight (no shadow). An area in sun from 9am-3pm gets 6 hours—that's full sun.
- 5
Check Winter (Worst Case)
Change the date to December 21. Shadows are much longer and the sun is lower. Areas sunny in summer may be shaded all day in winter. This matters for year-round plants.
- 6
Plan Your Planting
Match plants to zones: Vegetables and sun-loving flowers go in 6+ hour areas. Shade-tolerant plants go in areas that get less than 4 hours.
Common Plants by Sun Requirement
| Full Sun (6+ hrs) | Partial Sun (4-6 hrs) | Shade (<4 hrs) |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Lettuce | Hostas |
| Peppers | Spinach | Ferns |
| Squash/Zucchini | Kale | Impatiens |
| Cucumbers | Herbs (parsley, cilantro) | Begonias |
| Roses | Hydrangeas | Astilbe |
| Lavender | Astilbe | Lily of the Valley |
Map Your Garden's Sunlight
See exactly where to plant based on real shadow data. Free, no signup required.
Open Garden Sun Mapper