Map sun, access and garden constraints

After this lesson you will have a map of your growing space showing where the sun falls, where the water is and how you will get there every day, and a chosen spot for a small pilot garden.

What you need

Paper, a pencil, a tape measure if you have one, and permission from the owner or community garden. Renters: a balcony or patio counts.

Sun first

NC State Extension: a vegetable garden needs at least 6 hours of direct sun a day; 8 to 10 hours is ideal. Fruiting crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash need the most. Leafy greens tolerate a bit less, but grow more slowly in shade.

"Bright" is not the same as direct sun. Check the spot at about 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. on a clear day, and mark which parts are in direct sun each time. Shade moves with the seasons and when trees leaf out, so a sunny February spot may be shaded in June.

Then water and access

• How far is the faucet or hose? the lesson Water efficiently without spreading disease shows how fast carrying water adds up.
• Can you reach the middle of a bed without stepping on the soil?
• Can someone with a cane, walker or child in tow get there?
• Balconies: wet containers are heavy. Ask the landlord about weight limits.

Then problems

Mark anything that needs answers before you grow food there:

• Old painted buildings (lead in chipped paint), former driveways, dumping, unknown fill
• Where water pools after rain
• Strong wind, deer or rabbits, a neighbor who sprays
• Underground lines: request a locate (NC811, dial 811) before digging

Put those areas "on hold" until the lesson Test soil and plan safe growing beds or the right agency answers the question.

Worked example

Spot B has less sun, but it is the one that will actually get watered. The pilot starts there.

Practice

1. Sketch your space with north marked, buildings, trees, faucet and paths.
2. On one clear day, mark direct sun at 9 a.m., noon and 3 p.m. Shade each in a different color.
3. Mark problems and holds.
4. Draw the route from the door and the faucet to each possible spot.
5. Choose a pilot spot.

Expected result: a dated sun map with three times, a hold list and a pilot spot. Stay on ground you are allowed to use; do not dig yet.

Self-check

How many hours of direct sun does a vegetable garden need?

At least 6; 8 to 10 is ideal (NC State Extension).

Why check at three times of day?

Shade moves; one look can mislead.

A sunny spot is far from water. Is it the best choice?

Not for a first garden. A spot you will water beats a sunnier one you won't.

Keep for your binder

This map is page one of your garden binder. Next lesson tests the soil.

Primary references

• NC State Extension Gardener Handbook: Vegetable Gardening
• Minnesota Department of Health: Gardening in Urban Soil, checking a site's history.
• NC State Extension: County Centers, outside NC, search your state name plus "cooperative extension."