Gardening
Garden sun survey worksheet
Take this field checklist into the garden and make a separate record for each bed, pot or seating area. Copy the worksheet into your notes before you begin.
By SunCast team Last updated: October 14, 2026
Short answer
A garden sun survey needs a named zone, observation date, local times, direct-sun intervals, shade sources and a follow-up date. Label each entry as observed or estimated. A sun-path preview helps you decide when to return; the record should show what you actually checked.
Copy this garden sun survey worksheet
Create a fresh copy for each zone and date. Leave unobserved intervals marked as unknown.
- Zone and observation point
- Zone name: ___; marked position on sketch: ___; photo reference: ___.
- Date and conditions
- Date: ___; local timezone: ___; cloud cover: ___; trees in leaf: ___.
- Direct-sun intervals
- Sun appeared at: ___; shade returned at: ___; repeat for each observed interval.
- Shade source
- Fence, wall, tree or other obstruction: ___; affected part of the zone: ___.
- Evidence and gaps
- Observed on site: ___; estimated in an app: ___; times not checked: ___.
- Decision and next check
- Proposed use: ___; unresolved question: ___; return date and time: ___.
Prepare a record you can repeat
Sketch the garden and give each planting area a stable name, such as Bed A or the west patio. Mark the observation point so your next visit checks the same place. A photograph from that point makes the notes easier to interpret.
Record cloud cover and whether nearby trees are in leaf. A cloudy interval cannot tell you when a fence would stop casting shade on a clear day, so leave that gap in the record instead of filling it with a guessed sun total.
One survey date rarely covers the growing season. In Norwich, a 1.8 m fence on the south side of a bed casts a noon shadow of 1.0 m on 21 June, 1.7 m in mid-April and 2.4 m at both equinoxes (calculated with SunCast’s sun calculator). A bed that sits 2 m from that fence is in sun at a June survey and in the fence’s shadow at noon in March and September.
The RHS distinguishes direct sunshine from diffuse light and describes several degrees of shade. This worksheet records the conditions first; use the garden sun-exposure article below when you are ready to interpret them for planting.
Complete the survey in the garden
1. Mark the exact footprint
Check the area a bed or pot will occupy, including its shadier edge. Do not substitute a reading from the middle of the lawn.
2. Record changes throughout the day
Write down when direct sun appears and disappears. If you only visit at intervals, record the last shaded and first sunny observations as a time range.
3. Name the obstruction
Photograph the fence, building or tree making the shadow. Note whether it affects the whole bed or only part of it.
4. Preview another season in SunCast
From the marked observation point, open the AR Sun Tracker and set the date you want to check, such as the March equinox. See whether the path passes behind the obstruction you named, then book a return visit for that date and hour.
5. Make a decision with the gaps visible
Compare zones using their observed intervals. If an important period is unknown, schedule another check before committing to a permanent layout.
Use SunCast to plan the next observation
The app helps you choose when to look again. Your notes remain the record of conditions at the bed.
| SunCast feature | How it helps |
|---|---|
| AR sun path | On iPhone or iPad, see the sun path for any date against the real view from the observation point. |
| Date selection | Preview another season at the same location and note which obstruction needs checking. |
| 3D shadows | Shadows from mapped buildings and terrain around the garden for the date you pick. |
Keep the survey honest
Bright sky is not direct sun
Record direct sunlight separately from a bright but shaded bed.
Missing observations are not measurements
Do not report an exact daily total from a few isolated photographs.
One date is not a yearly pattern
Keep each survey dated and repeat it when seasonal conditions matter to the planting plan.
Limits
This is a sunlight observation record, not a plant-health prediction. Soil, water, wind and local climate also matter. SunCast’s shadows come from mapped buildings and terrain, so fences, sheds and tree canopies need checking on site.
Check it in SunCast
Choose the next observation time with a sun-direction preview, then return to the marked zone and record what happens.
Frequently asked questions
Can I complete the worksheet on a cloudy day?
You can record the layout and obstructions, but mark direct-sun intervals as uncertain where clouds prevent observation. Return in clearer conditions for those checks.
Should I combine records from different dates?
Keep the original records separate. Compare them side by side so a seasonal change is visible rather than hidden in an average.
Can the website automatically fill this worksheet?
No. Copy the fields into your own notes. The browser sun calculator previews solar direction and timing; it does not observe sunlight at each garden bed.
