Microsteading for Urban Gardens, DIY Growing & Sustainability

☀️ Sunlight Exposure Calculator

Sunlight is one of the most essential ingredients for successful gardening, yet many small-space growers overlook how much light their space gets. Whether gardening on a balcony, rooftop, side yard, or porch, the amount of direct sunlight you receive daily directly affects what you can grow and how well it performs. Our Sunlight Exposure Estimator helps you understand this essential factor before you plant a single seed.

☀️ Plan Your Garden with Precision Using the Sunlight Exposure Estimator

This free tool is designed for container gardeners, urban growers, and microsteaders who must make every square foot count. Enter your latitude, select the current season, and choose your garden’s orientation (north, south, east, or west-facing). You’ll instantly estimate how much sunlight your garden receives and which common crops are best suited to those light conditions.

Soil Mix Calculator

🌞 Why Estimating Sunlight Exposure Matters

Different plants need different levels of sunlight. Full sun crops like tomatoes and peppers need 6+ hours of light daily. Others, like spinach or mint, do better in partial shade. If you guess wrong, your plants may grow leggy, produce poorly, or not grow.

With our calculator, you can avoid those frustrations. It provides personalized results based on your exact conditions, so you can confidently choose crops more likely to thrive. It’s perfect for gardeners with shady fences, urban shadows, or tricky mixed-light spots.

🧭 How the Calculator Works

Your garden’s exposure to light is influenced by both your latitude and how your space is positioned. The calculator starts by estimating daylight hours based on your location and time of year. Then it adjusts that estimate based on garden orientation. A south-facing space gets steady, all-day sun, while a north-facing setup might only receive diffuse or reflected light.

Once calculated, the tool gives you a sunlight category—like full sun, partial sun, partial shade, or full shade—along with a list of recommended crops that match those conditions. It’s fast, simple, and incredibly helpful.

🌱 Ideal for Micro Gardeners and Urban Growers

This calculator is built for anyone practicing micro gardening, especially if you’re growing food in small containers, grow bags, hanging baskets, or window boxes. These environments often have limited sun exposure, and planting without a light strategy can waste valuable time and resources.

Using the Sunlight Exposure Estimator gives you insight into what’s possible in your space. You can even plan your layout around light patterns, grouping high-light crops and using low-light areas for leafy greens or herbs.

📊 Take the Guesswork Out of Garden Planning

Gardening is more rewarding when your plants thrive. Our calculator helps you start with the correct information—no more trial-and-error or disappointing harvests. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned microsteader, this tool will help you make smarter decisions and grow confidently.

Scroll up to try the calculator now and find out how much sunlight your garden gets. Then, use that knowledge to plant smarter, grow better, and enjoy a more productive microstead.

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