Alert issued for people without south-facing gardens as plants could grow 'diseases'

It is no secret that sunlight is good for plants and people who have south-facing gardens will find it easier for their plants to get enough of it. While sunlight is important for fast and strong plant growth , it also helps ward off diseases that can seriously damage your plants. New research from Solar Panel Funding has revealed more about what effects sunlight has on plants, and what we should be doing if our gardens are in a tricky spot for sunlight.

South-facing gardens get more direct sunlight throughout the day while north-facing gardens don't get as much, so the space has to be used in a smarter way. A study by the National Gardening Association in 2023 revealed that plants in the shade often find themselves in damp environments - and that is when diseases can occur. Plants in these environments are more likely to develop fungal diseases like powdery mildew and root rot , the report said.



Meanwhile, plants in sunny, south-facing gardens dry out faster, meaning these diseases are mostly avoided. The experts have listed a number of ways that people can avoid this from happening. Firstly, sun-loving crops should be planted in the sunniest spots.

If you don't have a south-facing garden, then you will have to be smart and strategic about which plants go where. Tomatoes , peppers, citrus trees and sunflowers all thrive in full sunshine. Gardeners should also utilise their south-facing walls and place climbing plants here.

These include wisteria , clematis and climbing roses. Additionally, gardeners can choose plants that require occasional shade, including ferns and hostas which can suffer scolding in peak summer months. When it comes to growing fruit , a lack of sunlight can bear quite tasteless results or a failed bloom altogether.

"As solar energy specialists, we’ve always understood the power of the sun, but our research into gardening shows just how much positioning impacts plant growth," a spokesperson from Solar Panel Funding said. "A south-facing garden can make all the difference in plant health, reducing disease risk, increasing yield, and even extending growing seasons. Sunlight is nature’s most powerful resource—whether for energy or for plant life, its impact is undeniable.

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