I have a quick permaculture design tip for your today. If you are growing a garden you’ll want to check it out.
As you are probably aware, one of the considerations for your garden is that it receives ample amount of sunshine.
Most vegetables need about 8 hours of sun per day to produce a good crop. Root vegetables and leafy greens can grow with less but in general you aim to provide as much fuel (photosynthesis potential) as possible.
So from a solar access perspective you’ll want for your garden to be open to the sun as much as possible, with nothing physically impossible-to-move blocking it.
Note that even if you are in a really hot climate, this principle would still apply.
It’s easier to add shade than it is to add sun. Adding more sun is impossible if you are in the spot with limited solar access. So if you really need protection from a scorching sun you can always plant trees to provide it, while keeping the maximum solar access for shoulder seasons when you need it the most.
Another key consideration for your garden is that it has protection from strong (and cold) winds which can stun the grow of plants or to put bluntly kill them. Some form of wind protection is always necessary, especially if you are out in the open. This will create a favorable microclimate where your garden stays warmer and moister for longer, plus you won’t have to deal with wind causalities.
One design idea that takes both of these factors (solar access and wind protection) considerations is what’s called a ‘Sun trap’ garden.
What you do here is plant trees and shrubs in U shape facing south (in the Southern Hemisphere north) to capture and utilize maximum sunlight PLUS provide wind protection from cold northern winds.
The U shaped pattern planted trees and shrubs could be your food forest that’s blocking the winds from the north, letting in the sun from the south, thus creating a sun trap with more favorable microclimate.
Now, I know what you might be thinking: “Not where we live! Give me all the shade lol” or “But we have the heaviest winds coming from south”
Well, if that’s the case you’ll have to adapt the design around your limitations/challenges.
The image above is ideal scenario for a temperate climate. In case you are in Mojave desert or North Texas, what you want to do is, as I said above, add shade. In this case add afternoon shade, and plant tall trees (if possible) or place some kind of shade casting structures on the SW, W, NW sides. Shade is what you need to optimize for the most in these types of climates.
And in case you have the strongest winds coming from E, S, W, just plant taller trees (or place structures) to provide that windbreak, but position them farm enough so you still get sun for your garden, especially in the shoulder season and winter.
Ok, I hope you found this design tip helpful, I have many more up my sleeve. I suggest you sign up for my newsletter below so I can unleash them upon you weekly.
Talk soon,
-William
