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Guide · 7 min read

Measure direct sun where the crop will grow

A repeatable New Zealand method that separates direct light from brightness, long summer daylight and a regional assumption.

Editorial guidance without independent agronomic review

Garden containers observed through changing bands of direct sun and shade during the day.
Guide at a glance
  1. Fix the pointObserve the final planting position.
  2. Mark intervalsCount only direct sunlight.
  3. Use a bandRepeat by season instead of claiming false precision.

Fix the point before counting

Observe at the height and exact position of future leaves. A balcony overhang, fence, tree, neighbouring building or crop row can change exposure within a few metres.

Count direct sunlight only

Record intervals when direct sun reaches the point and forms a clear shadow. Bright sky, reflected light from glass or pale walls and long daylight do not equal continuous direct sun.

Add separate intervals instead of treating morning and evening brightness as one block.

Repeat during the actual season

Sun angle, deciduous leaves, new structures, shade material and the crop canopy change exposure. Repeat after a meaningful seasonal or site change.

Use a conservative band

One clear day or phone reading does not establish a permanent threshold. If the result lies near a planner boundary, choose the lower band and observe the plant response.

Sources, scope and limits

Sources support the stated context. They do not turn a broad guide into individualized advice or transfer rights to reproduce the original material.

  • New Zealand English home food garden editorial synthesis — version 1

    Global Garden Planner

    Original eight-profile model, Southern Hemisphere planting bands and en-NZ corpus. It remains an editorial draft until independent New Zealand agronomic review is recorded.

    Editorial role: internal synthesis · Rights position: Original project content · Accessed: 3 August 2026

    Open source

  • Common climate and weather terms

    Earth Sciences New Zealand / NIWA

    Supports separating climate, normals, weather and Southern Hemisphere seasons. It does not supply crop thresholds or planting dates.

    Editorial role: fact reference · Rights position: Official scientific page linked and summarized; no glossary text, table, climate normal or derived calendar is reproduced · Accessed: 3 August 2026

    Open source

  • Regional climatologies

    Earth Sciences New Zealand / NIWA

    Supports recognising substantial regional variation in rain, wind, temperature and topography. The eight project profiles and every month band are original editorial synthesis pending review.

    Editorial role: fact reference · Rights position: Official scientific pages linked and paraphrased for broad regional context; no station data, map, grid, chart, value or calendar is copied or transformed · Accessed: 3 August 2026

    Open source