Feels like that title is too cliché. Maybe I’ve watched Spider-Man 2 too many times. Anywho, the sun, just like water, is another free resource that, when treated well with the right strategy, can help your garden flourish for years to come.

It’s no secret that all plants need sunlight. Even the ones that do well in shade only do so because they’ve evolved to find the sun’s UV rays in the darkest places. Because let’s be honest, it’s hard to hide from the sun. Damn near impossible, really. This massive gas ball is just blasting down over our heads. So let’s dive into the obvious when trying to map out your garden with the help of the sun.

For some quick facts: the south side of your property is typically going to be the hottest and sunniest part of your land. In case you didn’t realize, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. Therefore, you get morning sun in the east and afternoon sun from the west. And as far as north goes, consider that the coolest or least sunny side of your property, especially if you have a fairly large house that could cast a shadow. To break it down:

So what does that have to do with plant placement? Well…

The south side of your property gets the most sun, that’s where you want to consider sun-loving plants or wildflower gardens. In addition, any fruiting plants like tomatoes or peppers would thrive on this side of the home, as well as cucumbers.

On the north side, you’re going to want to consider more shade-tolerant plants or things that prefer less direct sunlight and cooler conditions. Maybe spinach or lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, or even kale, beets, and garlic.

Then there’s the east side. It receives gentle morning sun, which is much less harsh than the blazing south or west. Strawberries typically do well here, along with cool-season vegetables like kale, beets, and garlic.

And last, the west side, this is where the afternoon sun can be blazing hot and much more intense. You’ll want heat-tolerant plants on this side, like pumpkins or beans. Plus, corn a great choice for the west, too!

Now you might be wondering: what else can I look into when thinking about sun-mapping my site? How about…

Latitude: Where you are in the world in relation to the sun. Everything I stated above applies to those living in the Northern Hemisphere. But if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere, the north and south tips are flipped!

Elevation: How high your land sits can impact the angle at which the sun hits your property. And if your site has trees on higher ground overlooking your garden, that can affect what plants go where.

Seasons: We all know the seasons change, and with each season the sun sits at a different angle in the sky.

Trees and Objects: And obviously, what’s already on your property needs to be taken into account. If you just bought a home, are there trees or hedges blocking sunlight from certain areas?

Now, as a permaculture designer, I take all of this into account when creating an aerial map of your property. I use tools like suncalc.org, which lets me see where the sun is at any given point in the world. I can also map out the summer and winter solstices to understand how much sun a piece of land gets on the sunniest day and the darkest day of the year. It even lets me adjust shadows, so I can see where shade is coming from and what objects are casting it over different areas.

At the end of the day, sun mapping isn’t about chasing perfection, it’s about paying attention. It’s about slowing down long enough to observe where the light falls, how it shifts through the seasons, and how your land already wants to work with you. When you start placing plants based on what the sun is naturally offering, everything gets easier: less stress on your garden, less effort on your part, and better results over time. Just like rainwater, sunlight is a free gift that shows up every single day. All we have to do is notice it, respect it, and design with it in mind. That’s where resilient gardens begin.