Site Placement Guidelines

The sun, of course, moves from sunrise (east) to sunset (west) and the sun is far higher in the sky in the summer (creating shorter shadows) than in the winter (longest shadows). To account for seasonal changes in sun patterns, map the sun/shade on your school ground at least once during each season—spring, summer, winter, and fall.

A minimum of six hours of direct sunlight a day is recommended to grow most vegetables. Check the potential site throughout the day and anticipate seasonal changes in the sun’s locations (see mapping sun patterns). Look for shading by nearby trees, school buildings and hills.

How to map your sun/shade:

1. Using graph paper, draw out the school building and large trees on your school grounds. Don’t worry about being exact, but be mindful of spacing and scale.

2. Returning to the same spot each time, with your map in hand visually watch and map the shade pattern by checking the grounds at 9 am, noon, and 3 pm. Mark on your map where shade is located at the three observation times. This will give you three points to connect to make the arch of shade movement.

Remember: 

1. Shade moves clockwise (sun-wise) (north east interpretation).

2. The more objects/structures on your school ground the more shade will be created–note the overlapping that occurs.

3. The denser the object the denser the shade–house shade is totally dense; trees with big leaves have shade that is denser than trees with small leaves.

4. Evergreens create shade year round.

5. Deciduous plants (ones that lose their leaves) cast a shade that is denser when they are in full leaf and a light shade when they are leafless. Notice leaf size too.

Consider what storage options exist on your school grounds that could be used to store gardening equipment (e.g. hose, tools, wheelbarrow). If additional storage is needed, a Viability Review is the first step to request a storage unit on your school site.

For more information:

• Recommended Materials