As a home gardener, one of the most common questions you will encounter is how much sun do plants really need? You may be surprised to find out that it depends. In fact, in most cases, plants need less sunlight than you think. This article explains how plants naturally survive in the shade and how plants can thrive in bright sunshine.

Microgreens are a new type of green that can tolerate a moderate amount of sunlight exposure, which means they can take as much time as needed to grow. Unlike other green plants, however, microgreens have spines on their leaves that help them climb and move in the sunlight. These spines also make them more likely to be damaged by low levels of sunlight.

The reason microgreens can survive in direct sunlight longer is because of a unique physical property of the leaf structure of this type of plant. Most plants have flexible, thin branches with small capillaries that run along each side of the branch. The microgreens have a rigid outer layer that is slightly thicker than the other parts of the leaf. This helps to make the whole leaf heavier, which allows it to tolerate longer periods of direct sunlight exposure. If microgreens are planted in well-drained soil, they may need only a half hour or so of sunlight per day in order for them to grow well.

You can determine how much sunlight your plant needs by consulting a gardening guide such as the one at the University of California’s website. To find your own average sunlight exposure time, add six hours to your average window length and divide by two to get a number in minutes. Use this number to figure out how much microgreens you will need to plant to reach your desired height. The amount of sunlight needed will be different for every variety of micro green.

Different types of microgreens do better if they are planted in soil with a neutral pH. This means the plant needs calcium and magnesium to help produce chlorophyll. Some types of microgreen require more Calcium than others. If you are unsure, experiment by planting two types of microgreen in the same pot, one in a pH neutral soil, and another in a pH acidic soil and watch the growth.

Microgreens are best planted in spring. The longer the growing season, the more days your plants will receive full sunlight. In the fall, you should place them where they can get the full amount of light they need. Remember to carefully monitor their growth to check on their height. If they go too high during one season, wait for another to give them a chance to grow a bit more.

When growing microgreens outdoors, it is best to plant them in an area with an abundance of direct sunlight. Make sure there is not too much shade on the plant as this will stunt their growth. The area you select should receive six hours of direct sunlight during the daytime. It is a good idea to protect your plants during the winter months from the snow and ice that may block the sunlight. During the spring, the sunlight will help rejuvenate your plants.

The amount of light your plants get will greatly affect the quality of blooms. Choose a flowering time that is most convenient for your plants. For instance, during the morning hours the light is most intense, allowing your plants to get lots of energy before the sun goes down. During the evening hours, the light is lower, allowing your plants to conserve as much energy as possible before the sun goes down. Knowing how much sun do microgreens need to grow will ensure you get the most benefit out of your purchase.