21/06/2020
😊
HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE!
Today is the shortest day of the year. Traditionally it's a time of reflection. It is also a time to celebration of the return to lengthening days and the impending spring.
The Earth tilts on its axis throughout the year. This makes the Sun "appear" to change its path at different times of the year. I write "appear" as we all know that it's the Earth that moves not the Sun!
In winter the Sun appears to rise very north of due east and set very north of due west. At midday on the winter solstice in Melbourne it appears very low (28 degrees) on the northern horizon.
In summer, the Sun appears to rise very south of due east and set very south of due west. At midday on the summer solstice in Melbourne it appears almost overhead (75 degrees).
You can use this knowledge to accurately predict which parts of your garden are going to be in full sun and shade at different times of the year. This helps you to analyse your site and decide where to locate elements such as veggie garden beds. There’s finally a use for your high school trigonometry! This image shows the calculations for MELBOURNE (and all locations on the same latitude).
Of course, the amount of sun your backyard receives at different times of the year is influenced by many factors. These calculations are only for sun angles at midday. They don’t take into account morning and afternoon sun, the influence of trees (deciduous vs evergreen) and other factors.
In some of our upcoming workshops we will be exploring how changes in light impacts your garden at different times of the year.
Photosynthesis: Just add Water, Air and Sunlight (as part of The Science of Edible Gardening Series): https://site.corsizio.com/c/5ecd823d6c05e540415b69a2
Small Space Foodscape Design Class: https://site.corsizio.com/c/5dbfb200a6bc555fafdc5fae
