6 KEY FACTORS IMPACTING SUNLIGHT IN CONTAINER GARDENS

Sunlight is a multitasker in a plant’s growth. It’s essential for the photosynthesis process, in which plants convert light into energy. Sunlight is an energy source for plants that provides energy to reproduce and grow. Sunlight activates Chlorophyll, which gives plants green pigmentation. Adequate sunlight helps plants grow stems, leaves, and flowers.

Along with common things, Sunlight allows plants to produce nutrients for their health, Stomatal opening is a process where light triggers the opening of stomata (pores in the leaf) allowing carbon dioxide in oxygen out of the photosynthesis process. Sunlight influences the production of plant hormones (auxins & gibberellins) that help plant growth. Sunlight controls Circadian Rhythms a process of daily cycle of growth functions.

You might wonder about the process behind simple sunlight and how plants process that sunlight into different growth particles. Every living organism has a very complicated process going inside (not as the human body). I said these things to give you an understanding of why sunlight matters.

Nowadays content creators talk about Grow Light and other artificial lighting options. But whenever I try to find information about sunlight optimisation (next blog post) and what factors are affecting it, I don’t see information for some things or I don’t find needed information on one destination.

We have already explored a lot about the importance of Sunlight in the previous blog post. So now you have to learn about what factors impact your sunlight in container gardening and how to fix it. The one advantage of Container gardening is “mobility” you can move the pots if you want.

So, the motto behind the blog post is simple I want you my fellow gardeners know about factors impacting sunlight in container gardening and know solutions to give your plants the sunlight they need.

1. IMPACT OF GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION AND CLIMATE IN SUNLIGHT

Latitude and Seasonal changes

Latitude plays a crucial role in sunlight intensity and duration. Tropical regions that are closer to the equator receive more direct sunlight year-round. In these regions, sun rays hit vertically so the intensity and consistent duration are higher in daylight across seasons.

In contrast, locations farther from the equator northern and southern hemispheres experience intense sunlight during summers with longer durations of daylight. In winter they tilt away from the sun these impacts reflect as decreases in daylight hours and sunlight intensity.

Climate conditions

Cloudy, rainy and foggy climates affect sunlight availability. These climates reduce the sunlight’s intensity and overcast skies and frequent fog affect direct sunlight to the plants. This limits the photosynthesis process in plants and affects plant growth.

Using Grow-lights only in the rainy or foggy weather instead using them year-around.
Using spectrum lights for long winter regions because of the limited sunlight throughout the year.
If possible, try to adopt greenhouse gardening to increase the temperature inside benefiting growth even in less sunny regions.
For cold and dark environments using solar-heated greenhouse is the best option to grow plants in extreme weather conditions.
Identifying sunlight tracks while changing seasons and trying to move the pots or place reflective materials to get available sunlight.
In extreme weather countries, try to grow in summers with seasonal plants like vegetables, herbs and annual flowers.
For cold-around year regions try to choose cold-tolerated plants and hardy varieties to set up a garden.
South-facing gardens receive the most sunlight, so choose a south-facing garden setup for outdoor plants.

2. STRUCTURAL SHADE THAT IMPACTS SUNLIGHT

Structural shade objects

Nearby Buildings: In urban areas, tall buildings often block direct sunlight creating extended periods of shade throughout the day. This happens in high-density urban residential areas with packed buildings.

Walls and fences: these are shorter than the house buildings and also limit the sunlight availability. These structures cast long shadows sometimes, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. Areas near fences receive partial sunlight or indirect light.

Tips for positioning containers to work around structural shade

Moving containers to the place where sunlight reaches along the seasons. Use wheeled containers, if possible, to move around easily or use container dolly to move around heavy containers.
Also using elevators, raised planters or tall planters near fences to reach the sunlight properly.
In the northern hemisphere, placing containers near the southern and west sides of walls or fences helps to reach sunlight.
To reach higher areas of sunlight try to use vertical planters and hanging pots for sun-loving plants.
Using the reflective method to get sunlight from one place to another.
Using light-coloured pots also reflects the sunlight.
Plant taller plants in the sunnier spots and place shade-loving plants closer to fence or wall areas.

3. NATURAL SHADE IMPACT OF SUNLIGHT

Tree canopies:

Overhanging big trees can block sunlight for small potted plants creating dappled light. I faced this issue because of the two huge neem trees in my front yard. These two biggies create dappled light for my ground garden and container plants, I moved the pots and trimmed off the neem tree a little to get sunlight for my ground garden.

Neighbouring plants:

Some of the gardeners combine ground gardening and container gardening or grow bigger shrubs in huge pots with smaller pots. To avoid ground gardens impacting sunlight of container gardening avoid dense gardening and placing containers not too close to ground garden plants. Arranging containers doesn’t impact any plants sunlight needs the solution.

4. SEASONAL SHIFT IN SUNLIGHT PATTERNS

I never noticed these seasonal light shifts and changes in sunlight patterns before I started container gardening on my terrace. Growing plants takes me close to nature and makes me watch even small changes in nature.

Sun’s Angle and Path:

On summer days the earth’s axis tilts toward the sun, which makes the sun higher in the sky and follows a longer daylight and more intense sunlight.

On winter days earth’s axis tilts away from the sun, which results in the sun taking a lower path across the sky creating a lower angle of sunlight spread over a larger area and less intense. Reduced daylight and longer nights.

In Spring & Autumn days, the earth’s axis is directly above the equator so the sunlight spreads so evenly that the day and night are nearly equal.

Impact on Sunlight exposure and Temperature

The angle of sunlight is higher rays (summer day) strike the earth more directly covers the less surfaces it delivering more concentrated heat. When the sun is lower (winter) the rays spread over a larger area reducing heat concentration.

Day Length is longer in summer which also increases the overall sunlight exposure. In winter the day length is shorter which impacts the sun exposure time and cooler temperatures.

Shadows and Solar energy are also impacted by sun angle and patterns. In summer shorter shadows indicate a higher solar angle while longer winter shadows mean a lower angle and reduced energy.

5. ORIENTATION AND DIRECTION OF YOUR GARDEN SPACE

Whether it’s a balcony or patio, outdoor or terrace garden and any space you choose to grow plants in pots. Planning the orientation and direction to get the needed sunlight is important for plants. Container gardening offers the flexibility to move the pots to your convenient spaces, so ensure that you arrange your pots well with the tips below.

How different orientations affect sunlight exposure

North-facing: surfaces receive the least direct sunlight because the orientation of the sun is far away in Northern Hemisphere countries. These areas are shaded and typically cooler and suitable for shade-loving plants. North-facing surfaces receive the most direct sunlight in southern hemisphere countries, which are ideal for growing heat-tolerate plants.

South-facing: areas receive less sunlight and are ideal for shade-loving plants in the southern hemisphere countries. In the northern hemisphere countries, south-facing surfaces get the most direct sunlight throughout the year it is ideal for maximizing sunlight exposure and suitable for heat-tolerant plants.

East-facing: get the morning sunlight a softer and cooler light that is ideal for all plant types. But in these east-facing spaces, sunlight after noon becomes less intense so it is better to choose plants that need 4-5 hours of sunlight.

West-facing: get the afternoon and early sunlight when the sun is lower but more often intense, to these spaces choose heat-tolerant plants.

Practical guidance on positioning containers

South-facing in the northern hemisphere is best for sun-loving plants like tomatoes, peppers and succulents. You can grow heat-tolerant plants as well. South-facing in the southern hemisphere is best for shade-loving plants.

Arrange containers to avoid shadows cast by fences or walls, and place taller plants at the back and shorter ones in front. In winter move containers closer to the wall (white painted wall) to wall reflect the sunlight.

North-facing in the northern hemisphere is best for shade-loving plants, place these plants near walls or fences that reflect the sunlight to plants. North-facing in the southern hemisphere suitable for heat-tolerant plants.

East-facing is the area that receives warmer morning sunlight ideal for leafy green, edible plants, fruits and herbs. Place containers that only get the morning light not affected by afternoon high-intense sunlight.

West-facing is the area that receives high-intense evening sunlight an ideal spot for heat-tolerant plants. Use shade in hot summers to prevent plant burns and follow proper watering practices to prevent plants from being affected by intense sunlight.

Adjustments for Seasonal Changes

In Spring and Summer place containers where they can receive the most direct sunlight (south-facing) but less intense than west-facing sun. Use light-coloured pots, water-retention soil and watering techniques to maintain a temperature in potted plants.

In Autumn and Winter move pots closer to reflective walls, and patios that retain and radiate heat. If sunlight is scarce move pots temporarily near south-facing windows, balconies or use a grow light if needed.

6. INDOOR LIGHT LIMITATIONS

Indoor gardening has already limited sunlight. These below-mentioned things barrier the sunlight and affect the plants’ health.

Window Placement and Type of Glass

It’s impossible to alter the window or glass in rented places. But the motto here is if you’re a plant person you plan buying or building a house consider these factors and build a plant-friendly home.

South-facing windows receive sunlight throughout the year in northern hemisphere countries. In contrast, North-facing windows receive sunlight in the southern hemisphere.

So, planning these directions based on your hemisphere helps you to receive sunlight throughout the year. Using Low-E Glass blocks harmful UV and passes visible light.

Tinted Glass infused with colours reduces the amount of light and heat passing through, it is ideal for privacy while still allowing lighting. Ideal for high-intense light direction like west or south-facing windows.

Reflective Glass reduces the heat gain by reflecting sunlight, effective in minimizing solar heat and offering privacy. Ideal for Office buildings and large windows facing direct sunlight.

Insulated Glass units reduce heat transfer and maintain indoor temperature. Ideal for climates with significant temperature variations.

Interior Obstacles that impact Sunlight

Curtains and Blinds that are dark and tightly closed blinds block sunlight and reduce light availability. Using light-shade curtains that diffuse sunlight, and adjusting blinds control light levels.

Furniture Placement can cast shadows and prevent sunlight. Avoid using large furniture like sofas, bookshelves and cabinets placed near windows.

Window Accessories like frosted glass or coated glass prevent the sunlight intensity that plants need. Avoid using clear glass or ideal glass type (mentioned above) to get the needed sunlight.

CONCLUSION

These little details and things that we read about in the above paragraphs affect the sunlight intensity or create shadows on your plants. Knowing these sunlight problems and getting solutions keeps your plants healthy by getting needed sunlight-> photosynthesis -> energy for plant growth.

Emphasize the sunlight angle-path patterns help to orient the best spots for your container plants. Before buying grow light or any other artificial light solutions, try these natural methods of removing obstacles that impact sunlight and altering pots for sunlight spots to save your money.

Read more about container gardening plant care guide from a-z at my website mypotsgarden.com

Happy Gardening!