By
eHow Home & Garden Editor
Difficulty: Moderately challenging
Things You’ll Need:
- Pencils
- Graph Papers
- Cameras
- Film
Step1
Observe the shadow cast by your house and other significant structures on the property over the course of a year. The position of the sun in the sky changes from season to season. Areas that are shaded in winter may receive sun in the summer, and vice versa.
Step2
Observe the character of the shade on your property throughout the year. An area beneath a tree canopy that is in deep shade during the summer may be in filtered shade after the tree drops its leaves.
Step3
Observe the location of the shade and sun during the course of a day. Take note of the extent of shade in the morning, at noon and in midafternoon.
Step4
Make a series of diagrams to record your observations, and refer to these while planning your garden and landscape improvements.
Step5
Include diagrams for the longest and shortest days of the year ' the first day of summer and of winter. Conditions during the rest of the year will be somewhere between these extremes.
Step6
Take into account the time of day an element will typically be used, and site it with respect to the kind of sunlight available on your property at that time.
Step7
Determine which direction is north by referring to the plot plan attached to your deed or by using a compass. Take note of which parts of your property face the cardinal directions.
Step8
Plan elements for the north face that require indirect light or shady conditions.
Step9
Select elements for the south face that require full sun.
Step10
Choose elements for the east face that require the cooler conditions of morning sun.
Step11
Find elements for the west face that can tolerate the heat of afternoon sun.
