Sunlight mornings or sunlight evenings?

[Snadger]

I have a plot that only gets sunlight until about 3 to 4pm at this time of year. Once the leaves on the trees drop this will be extended.

I know that full sun all day is probably best for growth,but is it preferred to have either sunlight in the first half or second half of the day do you think?

[KevinM67]

I'm wondering about the heat ?

Would it not be more intense in the evening - thus that would be better ?

I've no idea to be honest.

[Martin H]

I think afternoon sun is better than morning, because spring or autumn frosts won't do as much damage.

[rary]

I would think sunlight in the afternoon would be the best, but the reason I go for that is if plants are frosted you have time to take action before they get burnt with the bright sunlight. I have experianced this several times in the past.

[Nicos]

I'd go with evening sun too.

[bario1]

Morning sun would warm the soil and 'get things going' for the day?

[veggiechicken]

I have a plot that only gets sunlight until about 3 to 4pm at this time of year. Once the leaves on the trees drop this will be extended.

......but, by the time the leaves are off the trees the days will be shorter and there won't be much light after 4. The mornings will be darker too.
In conclusion - its swings and roundabouts - no idea

[Snadger]

I've just been comparing growth on both extremes. My plot is wooded one side and gets no evening sun and the plot at the other end of a block of ten plots is wooded one side and gets no morning sun.
I can't see any marked differences in growth characteristics for either plot yet.

[Alison]

I would think sunlight in the afternoon would be the best, but the reason I go for that is if plants are frosted you have time to take action before they get burnt with the bright sunlight. I have experianced this several times in the past.

That's the reason I'd give too.

[piskieinboots]

I can't see any marked differences in growth characteristics for either plot yet.

So, as VC says ....

......In conclusion - its swings and roundabouts

I'd have thought evening. Be interesting to hear your findings, Snadger.

[Snadger]

I would think sunlight in the afternoon would be the best, but the reason I go for that is if plants are frosted you have time to take action before they get burnt with the bright sunlight. I have experianced this several times in the past.

We get frost at each end of the summer. I'm more concerned with summer growth.

At least there is another plot at the opposite end of the spectrum to compare growth with.

[Cadalot]

My first plot is in a corner with high brick walls on two sides and the trees and location means that the top half of the plot remains in the shade until around 10:30 - 11:00 in the summer which I like because I can do lots of things up that end in the height of summer without getting fried.

My other plot is in the middle of a large allotment and there is no shade, the ground bakes hard in the summer if not watered and worked or mulched and its hot working it. It is also a lot more windy.

I love both plots for different reasons, I think the greenhouse on the exposed plot is going to take more looking after that the one on my plot with the walls.

[Penellype]

My garden has various areas which get morning or evening sun. I've found that the morning sun area tends to grow better. BUT it may be that it gets more sun overall than the evening end of the garden, and it is near to the house, while the evening sun area is not, so it could be a degree or so warmer. I'd not be certain that the time of day when it gets the sun is the cause of the difference.

[Alison]

We get frost at each end of the summer. I'm more concerned with summer growth.

At least there is another plot at the opposite end of the spectrum to compare growth with.

Not sure I understand your comment. Frosting occurs mainly at night so if the plants then get warm sunshine on frosted leaves they defrost quickly causing more damage than if it happens more gradually with later sunshine. This is the reason why you're never supposed to plant things like camellias where they get morning sun as the flower buds get damaged but it can also happen with leaves.

[BUFFS]

all we can do is work with what we have, my plot is north facing, long and narrow, about 7-8ft wide, with a 5ft wall, so raised beds now help, but we have to, by trial and error, find what grows best for each of us. some plants will confound the books, I put 4 pineapple lilies into a bed in the lawn about 10yrs ago, supposedly tender/half tender, but even after -16deg winters they have thrived and we now have over 40 scattered in the garden, and carrots, sown last year, which failed completely, popped up this year to give a reasonable crop, so I do not take the info on the packet as gospel, more as a guide, and try things to see if they work, some do , some don't... that's the challenge taking a tiny seed and producing lovely grub...if it was guaranteed, where would the fun and interest be?