How Much Sun Does Your Vegetable Garden Really Need

Vegetables prefer a full day of sun, but if you live in a shady suburb you don't have to give up the idea of growing vegetables. Here are some minimum sunlight requirements:

• Fruiting Vegetables - 8 hours of sun This includes tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and vine crops such as cucumbers, melons, and squash.

• Root Vegetables - 6 hours of sun Carrots, beets, etc.

• Leafy Vegetables - 4 hours of sun These are your "greens" such as lettuce, spinach and collards.

** Keep in mind that these are minimums. Increasing the amount of sunlight your vegetables receive will increase the yield and quality of your crop.

** Even though your vegetables may get enough light when planted near a tree, they will not get enough nourishment and water. Vegetables can't compete with an established tree for essential nutrients and moisture.

From GardenGuides.com