Why Winter Sun Matters for Summer Planning
The sun in winter is a completely different creature to the bold, high summer sun. It rises lower in the sky, casts longer shadows, and shifts further north (if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, like us here in South Africa).
That means:
Your sunny spot in summer might be shady in winter.
Your shady corner now might become scorched in December.
Buildings, trees, and walls create very different shadows in different seasons.
By paying attention now, you can avoid putting your tomatoes in a spot that only gets 3 hours of sun… or planting lettuce somewhere that will bolt before it even settles in.
How to Track the Sun in Winter: A Simple Guide
Here’s how to tune into your garden’s rhythm using nothing but observation, a notebook, and your phone (if you want to go high-tech).
1. Pick Your Observation Points
Stand in a few key spots where you plan to grow food. These are your “stations.” Mark them with stones, sticks, or a photo from the same angle.
2. Observe 3 Times a Day
Morning (around 9–10am)
Midday (12–1pm)
Afternoon (3–4pm)
Stand at each station and note:
Where the sun is
What is in shade
How long the sun hits that area
What’s causing the shadows (tree, wall, etc.)
Do this once a week for the next few weeks and you’ll start to see a pattern.
3. Map It Out
Sketch a rough map of your garden beds or containers. Use a yellow pencil or highlighter to shade in the areas that get:
Full sun (6+ hours)
Partial sun (3–6 hours)
Dappled or morning sun
Full shade
This becomes your summer planning gold.
By tracking winter sun, you’ll:
Identify your true full-sun areas for tomatoes, peppers, and melons
Find shadier spots that stay cool — perfect for lettuce and spinach
Discover where the sun moves earliest — helpful for seed starting or early spring planting
Avoid wasted effort on garden beds that just won’t perform due to poor light
Extra Tips for Urban and Small Gardens
Walls + Buildings: Watch how the sun hits fences and house walls — they can create both shade and heat pockets.
Trees: In winter, deciduous trees lose their leaves — giving a false sense of “full sun.” Track how shadows change on evergreens vs bare branches.
Containers: Remember, you can move pots to chase the sun. Make a note of ideal summer spots for each type of crop.
This is one of those slow, grounding garden practices that pays off in unexpected ways. Use a notebook (or one of our printable journal pages for members) to track what you see. Add photos. Draw silly maps. Record shadow lines with times. By next season, you’ll have a personal guide to your space that no app or book can replicate.
Plan Now, Reap Later
Next season’s harvest isn’t just about sowing seeds. It’s about where those seeds go. A well-placed plant is a happier, more productive one. And that means less pest pressure, better growth, and fewer disappointments.
So take a slow winter walk. Stand still. Watch the light. Let your garden teach you.
Tash & Family
Want More Tips Like This?
Become a VanZylStead Member and get full access to:
Our in-depth seasonal planting guides, Pest and disease solutions for every crop, Exclusive grow guide vegetables, Discount on eBook, Monthly newletter packed with tips and advice.
Your garden deserves it — and so do you.
0 Comments