Full sun plants don't necessarily need all-day sunlight, but they generally need at least six hours. Afternoon sun tends to be stronger than morning sun, so if you know you can only offer a plant six hours of sun exposure, plant it in a spot that gets most of its sunlight in the afternoon.
This describes the type of light we find in bright, sunny open areas. Many full sun plants thrive under sunny skies from dawn to dusk, but others may need a bit of a break. If a plant is labeled heat or drought tolerant and full sun, it is a good bet it will tolerate even the most intense summer sun day in and day out.
Any amount of sun greater than six hours is considered full sun. What is Part Sun? Part sun is defined as four to six hours of direct sun per day. Not all those hours need to be accrued consecutively—it could mean a few hours of morning sun plus a few more in the afternoon.
Morning light sets off a cascade of hormones and neurotransmitters which make you feel good. It makes complete sense then, that the closer we align to the natural light of day, the healthier we will feel.
Plants that like afternoon sun are mostly flowering plants, with a few non-flowering plants to consider. With most plants, getting the perfect light intensity or exposure for them can be challenging; it's either too much sunlight or too little sunlight.
The best time to water plants is in the morning or evening.
More importantly, watering at these times actually helps the plant retain water. If you water in the afternoon, especially during summer, the heat and sun are at their peak and the plant's water will evaporate instead of absorbing into the soil and roots.
Use shade cloth or protective row covers.
Sensitive plants like salad greens may require a 50 – 60% shade factor, while more heat tolerant plants like squash and beans may benefit from a 30% shade cloth. A shade cloth is temporary but care should be taken to position it to block sunlight while not reducing aeration.
Can full sun plants grow in shade? Plants that require 6+ hours of sun per day just won't grow their best in shady spots. Since plants use the sun to make food, not getting enough sunshine will make them “hungry,” which in plant terms means weak and unhealthy.
The sun's rays vary in intensity throughout the day. In most places, UV rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun is at its highest. If you go outside during that window, the body will produce more vitamin D in less time than if you went out in the morning or late afternoon.
Exposure to early-morning sunlight enhances your mood.
Exposure to full spectrum sunlight in the morning causes our bodies to produce serotonin, which not only helps later on with nighttime sleep, but improves mood throughout the day.
Sun loving coleus and bronze leafed wax begonias may work. Just keep the soil moist. Purple Heart (Setcreasea purpurea), pentas, and four o'clocks are other annuals to consider. For perennials try dwarf Mexican petunia (Ruellia), lilyturf, daylilies, and speedwell (Veronica).
Full sun: Plants that require at least six hours each day of direct sunlight. Part sun/part shade: These terms usually mean the same thing, referring to plants that should receive three to six hours of sun per day, preferably in the morning or evening.
So what time is it good to sunbathe in the afternoon? The best time to sunbathe in the afternoon is around 4-5 pm, when the sun is weak, infrared and ultraviolet rays (UV rays) have weakened. However, this time may fluctuate from day to day, from season to season, depending on weather conditions.
The best time to water outdoor plants is in the morning when temperatures are usually cooler. This gives the plants time to absorb the water so they can get through a long, hot day. The second-best time is late in the afternoon or early in the evening. Try not to water at night.
If possible, transplant on a warm, overcast day in the early morning. This gives the plants a chance to settle into the soil without being instantly exposed to the intense midday sun. Check soil moisture. Test to see if your soil is too wet or too dry to dig.
Water your plants in the morning as early as possible. This allows the soil and your plants to absorb more water because in the heat of the day there is more evaporation occurring at the soil surface.
According to the national Institutes of Health, between five and 30 minutes of sun exposure to your unprotected face, arms, legs or back between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. two to three times every week is enough for your body to produce all of the D3 it needs. Sunscreen can block vitamin D production.
The best time to soak yourself in the sun to get the maximum vitamin D is between 10 am to 3 pm. At this time, the UVB rays are intense and it is also said that the body is more efficient in making vitamin D at this time.
Here's Why: Can you get vitamin D through a window when sunlight streams in? The answer, in general, is “no.” It might seem like glass lets all the sun's UV rays get through to you, but that's just an illusion: glass – as well as plexiglass and plastic – absorbs all UVB radiation.
“Full sun” definitely means at least six hours per day, but some plants such as vegetables really need eight to ten hours per day. “Partial sun” or “partial shade” means that the plant needs 3-6 hours of direct sun per day. The terms sometimes are used interchangeably.
If the soil feels dry three or four inches below the surface, water. A common rule of thumb is that most plants need the equivalent of one inch of rainfall a week, on average—enough to soak into the soil about six inches. However, in hot weather, plants may need more.
In hot weather you need to water in the mornings when it is cooler. This will allow more water to reach the root system before it evaporates in the heat. There may be times when you cannot schedule watering in the morning. In this case, water the plants in the late evening before bed.
Avoid full sun
In the current hot breezy weather it is probably best to water in the early evening. This gives the plants enough time to dry out, but there is still the chance for overnight water uptake by the roots. And if you want to water in the morning then start very early – before the sun is shining.
The books are right – planting in the summer when it is hot and dry is not the best time to move new plants into or around the garden. During a particularly bad heat wave it can be hard enough to keep the soil hydrated, let alone provide ample moisture for plants that are establishing new roots.