As in real estate, the three most important factors to success in vegetable gardening are location, location, and location. You want an area with abundant sunshine, good airflow, and close to an electrical outlet & a hose.
The most crucial factor is the amount of sun. No vegetables will grow in a shady spot. Without enough sun, you’re guaranteed to be disappointed, with eight-foot-high tomato plants and only a few small tomatoes.
Choose a sunny, level spot with good airflow, close to a hose, and with access to an electrical outlet for the pump.
If you cannot find a suitable outdoor spot, or you want a simple garden that's easy to grow indoors, then explore growing indoors! It's a lot of fun!
How much sun is enough sun?
3 - 4 hours of sun?
This is the minimum sun; if this is all you get, you will only be growing leafy crops like lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, collards, and endive. You may have increased pests and fungal diseases.
5 - 6 hours of sun?
You can add in radishes.
7 - 8 hours of sun!
Yeah! You can grow fruiting crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, and beans! Also, enjoy less pests and less disease!
What about a grow light?
While using a grow light is perfect indoors, they are not meant to be used on porches or lanais.
Porches and lanais are often hot, humid, and lack airflow. This is the ideal environment for tropicals, but not for annual fruits and vegetables. They often show signs of stress growing in those types of environments. Stressed plants attract pests, and guess what? Aphids can easily fit through the holes in screens.
It is not ideal to use a grow light on a porch or patio.
More sun means less pests, faster growth,
and more flowers and tomatoes!
The moral of the story? If you don't get enough sun on your lanai or covered porch, consider growing fully indoors with grow lights or fully outdoors in the rain, sun, and wind. You'll have happy plants!
Happy Planting!
Feel free to contact me by clicking here with any questions or concerns!
~ Leah Brooks
Commentaires