☀️ Sunlight Exposure Calculator
Calculate daily sunlight hours for your garden location with seasonal variations and planting recommendations
Your Result:
Seattle, WA • Summer Solstice
South-facing garden • Full sun conditions
🌞 Daily Sunlight Exposure
Peak Daylight
Sunrise to sunset
Garden Sunlight
Direct garden exposure
Sun Intensity
UV Index: 8-9
🌱 Plant Recommendations (12+ hours sun)
Full sun crops
High light flowers
Root vegetables
Heat-loving plants
📅 Seasonal Sunlight Variation (Example)
⚠️ GARDENING DISCLAIMER
These are estimated sunlight calculations for reference only. Always verify with local weather data and consult qualified gardening professionals for important planting decisions.
How to Use This Sunlight Exposure Calculator
🚨 IMPORTANT GARDENING WARNING
This sunlight calculator provides estimated calculations for reference only. For critical gardening, farming, or agricultural decisions, always consult qualified gardening professionals, agricultural extension services, or local meteorologists. Verify all estimates with local weather data and expert advice before making important planting decisions.
The Sunlight Exposure Calculator helps gardeners, landscapers, and outdoor enthusiasts estimate daily sunlight hours for any location. This tool considers astronomical calculations, seasonal variations, and local conditions to provide actionable insights for garden planning and plant selection.
Getting Started:
- Enter Location: Input your city name, zip code, or exact coordinates for precise calculations
- Select Date/Season: Choose from key dates (solstices, equinoxes) or specify a custom date
- Garden Orientation: Specify which direction your garden faces (affects actual sun exposure)
- Shade Conditions: Account for trees, buildings, or other obstructions that create shade
- Optional Settings: Enable seasonal charts, plant recommendations, and altitude adjustments
- Calculate Results: Get detailed sunlight analysis with growing recommendations
Understanding Your Results:
- Peak Daylight Hours: Total time from sunrise to sunset (theoretical maximum)
- Garden Sunlight Hours: Actual direct sun exposure based on orientation and shade
- Seasonal Variation: How sunlight changes throughout the year at your location
- Plant Recommendations: Suggested plants that thrive in your calculated light conditions
- Growing Zones: Climate zone information relevant to your location
Practical Applications:
- Vegetable Gardens: Determine optimal placement for sun-loving crops vs. shade-tolerant varieties
- Flower Beds: Plan perennial and annual plantings based on light requirements
- Tree Placement: Avoid future shade problems by understanding mature tree impact
- Seasonal Planning: Understand how light changes affect year-round growing potential
- Landscape Design: Create layered plantings that work with natural light patterns
⚠️ DISCLAIMER: Sunlight calculations are estimates based on astronomical data and location coordinates. Actual conditions vary due to weather, terrain, buildings, and seasonal changes. This tool provides reference information only - always verify with local gardening experts, agricultural extension services, and meteorological data for important growing decisions.
How It Works
Astronomical Calculation Process:
- Location Processing: The tool converts your location input into precise latitude and longitude coordinates
- Solar Position Calculation: Uses established astronomical formulas to calculate sun position throughout the day
- Sunrise/Sunset Timing: Determines exact sunrise and sunset times for your location and date
- Solar Elevation Analysis: Calculates sun angle and intensity throughout daylight hours
- Daylight Duration: Computes total theoretical daylight hours from sunrise to sunset
Garden-Specific Adjustments:
- Orientation Factor: Applies reduction factors based on garden direction (south = 100%, north = 30-50%)
- Shade Analysis: Reduces calculated hours based on shade conditions (full sun = 100%, deep shade = 20-40%)
- Seasonal Variation: Projects sunlight changes throughout the year using orbital mechanics
- Altitude Adjustment: Accounts for increased UV intensity and clearer skies at higher elevations
- Local Climate Factors: Provides context about typical weather patterns for the region
Plant Recommendation Logic:
- Light Classification: Categorizes your garden as full sun (6+ hrs), partial (3-6 hrs), or shade (under 3 hrs)
- Plant Database Matching: Matches calculated conditions with optimal growing requirements for common plants
- Seasonal Consideration: Factors in how light changes affect different plant types throughout growing seasons
- Regional Adaptation: Suggests plants appropriate for your climate zone and latitude
- Growing Difficulty: Indicates beginner-friendly vs. advanced plants for your light conditions
Accuracy and Limitations:
- Theoretical Basis: Calculations based on established solar geometry and astronomical data
- Local Variations: Results are estimates - actual conditions affected by weather, terrain, and micro-climate
- Obstruction Impact: Buildings, trees, and hills can significantly reduce actual sunlight received
- Seasonal Changes: Climate patterns and storm frequency vary by region and year
- Professional Consultation: For critical agricultural or commercial growing, verify with local experts and weather data
When You Might Need This
- • Vegetable garden planning with optimal sunlight exposure for tomatoes, peppers, and leafy greens
- • Flower bed design to determine which plants will thrive in specific garden locations
- • Solar panel placement optimization for maximum energy generation based on seasonal patterns
- • Landscape design for drought-resistant plants that match available sunlight conditions
- • Greenhouse placement and orientation for year-round growing operations
- • Tree planting decisions to avoid future shade problems in garden areas
- • Lawn care planning to identify areas that may need shade-tolerant grass varieties
- • Photography planning for optimal natural lighting at specific times and seasons
- • Outdoor event planning to predict lighting conditions for weddings and gatherings
- • Agricultural crop rotation planning based on seasonal sunlight availability and intensity
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are the sunlight hour calculations for my specific location?
The calculations provide estimates based on astronomical data, latitude, and basic solar geometry. Accuracy is typically within 15-30 minutes for theoretical daylight hours. However, actual sunlight received in your garden can vary significantly due to local weather patterns, topography, buildings, trees, and seasonal changes. For critical gardening decisions, verify estimates with local weather stations and gardening experts. **DISCLAIMER: Always consult qualified gardening professionals for important planting decisions.**
What's the difference between daylight hours and actual garden sunlight exposure?
Daylight hours represent the total time from sunrise to sunset, while actual garden exposure accounts for your specific conditions like orientation, shade, and obstacles. A south-facing garden with no shade will receive nearly maximum available sunlight, while north-facing or shaded areas may receive 50-80% less. Garden orientation and local shade conditions significantly impact actual growing conditions.
How do seasonal changes affect my garden's sunlight throughout the year?
Sunlight hours vary dramatically by season and latitude. At higher latitudes, summer can provide 6-8 more daylight hours than winter. The sun's angle also changes - summer sun is higher and more direct, while winter sun is lower and weaker. This affects which areas of your garden receive direct sun during different seasons, especially important for year-round growing and perennial plantings.
Can I use this calculator for indoor plant placement near windows?
Yes, but with important limitations. The calculator helps estimate available outdoor light that reaches windows, but indoor conditions are significantly different. Window direction, glass type, curtains, and room layout all affect actual light received by plants. Indoor light is typically 10-50% of outdoor intensity. For houseplants, consider using a light meter and consult indoor gardening resources for specific plant requirements.
What sunlight requirements do different types of plants need?
Plants are typically categorized as: Full Sun (6+ hours direct sunlight) - vegetables, most flowers, herbs; Partial Sun/Shade (3-6 hours) - some vegetables, many perennials; Full Shade (less than 3 hours) - hostas, ferns, mosses. However, plant requirements vary by species, climate zone, and growing conditions. **DISCLAIMER: Always research specific plant varieties and consult local gardening experts for your climate zone before making planting decisions.**