How to Grow Plants with Little Sun
2022-05-24
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1From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report.
2Some people might think that growing plants without much sun is a difficult, if not impossible, task.
3With little sunlight, gardeners may think they are faced with limited plant choices and no possibility for color.
4However, that is not the case, says Jessica Damiano.
5She is a gardening expert for the Associated Press and recently shared suggestions on growing plants in low-light conditions, or shade.
6Damiano says you just need to learn how to work with shady conditions.
7And, she adds, finding the right plants for the right places, can make all the difference.
8The first step is understanding the type of shade you have.
9This is based on the amount of time that sun shines on the area.
10She describes the three main types of shade.
11They are:
12part shade (3-6 hours of direct sun, usually in the morning),
13full shade (less than 3 hours of direct sun) and
14deep shade (sunlight rarely, if ever, gets through trees or past structures like buildings).
15When sunlight shines through overhead tree branches and leaves, it creates an area with both light and shade.
16The light only falls in certain small areas and is called "dappled."
17After you choose the planting area, observe the light it gets during an entire day.
18Note how many hours of direct sunlight reaches the ground.
19If you are still uncertain, buy a sunlight meter.
20(Damiano says this device can cost as little as $20.)
21Place the light meter in the planting area for a full day and then read the results.
22When you know your shade conditions, find plants that suit them.
23This information is available where plants and seeds are sold.
24You can also research that information online, in books or magazines.
25Experts at gardening stores are other sources of information.
26And don't forget your local gardeners.
27When walking around a community garden or your neighborhood, take note of plants growing in shady areas.
28Talk to the gardeners. Learn about their successes and failures.
29Damiano says there are things to know about caring for a shade garden.
30For example, shady gardens usually take longer to warm up in spring.
31They also stay cooler on hot summer days.
32As a result, they will likely require more fertilizer, or plant food.
33Also, they usually need less water.
34This is because the dirt stays wetter longer after a rainfall or watering than it does in full sun.
35However, if the shade is caused by large trees directly overhead, some types of plants may need to be watered more often.
36So, she suggests that gardeners pay close attention to that.
37She suggests adding a lot of compost to the soil at planting time.
38This will increase the amount of water the soil can hold. Compost will also add high-quality nutrients.
39And if the area has hard clay, compost will improve its drainage.
40(Clay is a type of hard earth that drains water poorly.)
41Damiano also says to add material, or mulch, to the surface of the plant bed.
42This helps keep the soil wet and healthy.
43Deep shade is the most challenging for gardeners.
44If you garden in a three- or four-season climate where deciduous trees block the summer sun, take advantage of springtime conditions by planting bulbs.
45They will grow into a colorful spring show before the trees become too leafy.
46The gardening expert adds that painting nearby structures white reflects sunlight.
47Glass and mirrored objects can also reflect light around the garden.
48If possible, carefully cut some tree branches.
49This is "to prune," and it lets more sunlight reach the ground.
50Damiano says to research the low-light plants suitable for your area.
51She also says to not give up on growing plants you can eat.
52Vegetables like tomatoes and peppers need a lot of sun.
53But leafy greens actually grow better in part shade.
54Asian greens, arugula, cilantro, spinach, and kale all grow well in dappled to part shade.
55As for pests, Damiano says that some, like slugs and snails, like shade gardens.
56But most other pests are less of a problem in low-light conditions.
57She also suggests another good thing about shady gardens - you will sweat less while gardening!
58And that's the Health & Lifestyle report. I'm Anna Matteo. And I'm Jill Robbins.
1From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. 2Some people might think that growing plants without much sun is a difficult, if not impossible, task. With little sunlight, gardeners may think they are faced with limited plant choices and no possibility for color. 3However, that is not the case, says Jessica Damiano. She is a gardening expert for the Associated Press and recently shared suggestions on growing plants in low-light conditions, or shade. 4Damiano says you just need to learn how to work with shady conditions. And, she adds, finding the right plants for the right places, can make all the difference. 5What type of shade do you have? 6The first step is understanding the type of shade you have. This is based on the amount of time that sun shines on the area. 7She describes the three main types of shade. They are: 8part shade (3-6 hours of direct sun, usually in the morning), 9full shade (less than 3 hours of direct sun) and 10deep shade (sunlight rarely, if ever, gets through trees or past structures like buildings). 11When sunlight shines through overhead tree branches and leaves, it creates an area with both light and shade. The light only falls in certain small areas and is called "dappled." 12Observe the area 13After you choose the planting area, observe the light it gets during an entire day. Note how many hours of direct sunlight reaches the ground. 14If you are still uncertain, buy a sunlight meter. (Damiano says this device can cost as little as $20.) Place the light meter in the planting area for a full day and then read the results. 15Buy the right plants 16When you know your shade conditions, find plants that suit them. 17This information is available where plants and seeds are sold. You can also research that information online, in books or magazines. Experts at gardening stores are other sources of information. 18And don't forget your local gardeners. When walking around a community garden or your neighborhood, take note of plants growing in shady areas. Talk to the gardeners. Learn about their successes and failures. 19Shade gardens need different care 20Damiano says there are things to know about caring for a shade garden. 21For example, shady gardens usually take longer to warm up in spring. They also stay cooler on hot summer days. As a result, they will likely require more fertilizer, or plant food. 22Also, they usually need less water. This is because the dirt stays wetter longer after a rainfall or watering than it does in full sun. 23However, if the shade is caused by large trees directly overhead, some types of plants may need to be watered more often. So, she suggests that gardeners pay close attention to that. 24She suggests adding a lot of compost to the soil at planting time. This will increase the amount of water the soil can hold. Compost will also add high-quality nutrients. And if the area has hard clay, compost will improve its drainage. (Clay is a type of hard earth that drains water poorly.) 25Damiano also says to add material, or mulch, to the surface of the plant bed. This helps keep the soil wet and healthy. 26Deep shade is the most challenging for gardeners. If you garden in a three- or four-season climate where deciduous trees block the summer sun, take advantage of springtime conditions by planting bulbs. They will grow into a colorful spring show before the trees become too leafy. 27Ways to increase light 28The gardening expert adds that painting nearby structures white reflects sunlight. Glass and mirrored objects can also reflect light around the garden. 29If possible, carefully cut some tree branches. This is "to prune," and it lets more sunlight reach the ground. 30What to plant? 31Damiano says to research the low-light plants suitable for your area. She also says to not give up on growing plants you can eat. Vegetables like tomatoes and peppers need a lot of sun. But leafy greens actually grow better in part shade. Asian greens, arugula, cilantro, spinach, and kale all grow well in dappled to part shade. 32As for pests, Damiano says that some, like slugs and snails, like shade gardens. But most other pests are less of a problem in low-light conditions. 33She also suggests another good thing about shady gardens - you will sweat less while gardening! 34And that's the Health & Lifestyle report. I'm Anna Matteo. And I'm Jill Robbins. 35Jessica Damiano wrote for The Associated Press. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English. 36_______________________________________________________________________ 37Words in This Story 38gardener - n. a person who works in a garden especially for pay 39meter - n. an instrument for measuring and sometimes recording the time or amount of something 40compost - n. a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land 41clay - n. an earthy material that is sticky and easily molded when wet and hard when baked 42drainage - n. the act or process of removing a liquid 43deciduous - adj. biology : falling off or shed seasonally or at a certain stage of development in the life cycle 44bulb - n. a dormant stage of a plant that is formed underground and consists of a very short stem with one or more flower buds surrounded by special thick leaves 45reflect - v. to bend or throw back (waves of light, sound, or heat) 46sweat - v. to give off salty moisture through the pores of the skin 47From VOA Learning English, this is the Health & Lifestyle report. 48Some people might think that growing plants without much sun is a difficult, if not impossible, task. With little sunlight, gardeners may think they are faced with limited plant choices and no possibility for color. 49However, that is not the case, says Jessica Damiano. She is a gardening expert for the Associated Press and recently shared suggestions on growing plants in low-light conditions, or shade. 50Damiano says you just need to learn how to work with shady conditions. And, she adds, finding the right plants for the right places, can make all the difference. 51What type of shade do you have? 52The first step is understanding the type of shade you have. This is based on the amount of time that sun shines on the area. 53She describes the three main types of shade. They are: 54When sunlight shines through overhead tree branches and leaves, it creates an area with both light and shade. The light only falls in certain small areas and is called "dappled." 55Observe the area 56After you choose the planting area, observe the light it gets during an entire day. Note how many hours of direct sunlight reaches the ground. 57If you are still uncertain, buy a sunlight meter. (Damiano says this device can cost as little as $20.) Place the light meter in the planting area for a full day and then read the results. 58Buy the right plants 59When you know your shade conditions, find plants that suit them. 60This information is available where plants and seeds are sold. You can also research that information online, in books or magazines. Experts at gardening stores are other sources of information. 61And don't forget your local gardeners. When walking around a community garden or your neighborhood, take note of plants growing in shady areas. Talk to the gardeners. Learn about their successes and failures. 62Shade gardens need different care 63Damiano says there are things to know about caring for a shade garden. 64For example, shady gardens usually take longer to warm up in spring. They also stay cooler on hot summer days. As a result, they will likely require more fertilizer, or plant food. 65Also, they usually need less water. This is because the dirt stays wetter longer after a rainfall or watering than it does in full sun. 66However, if the shade is caused by large trees directly overhead, some types of plants may need to be watered more often. So, she suggests that gardeners pay close attention to that. 67She suggests adding a lot of compost to the soil at planting time. This will increase the amount of water the soil can hold. Compost will also add high-quality nutrients. And if the area has hard clay, compost will improve its drainage. (Clay is a hard type of earth that drains water poorly.) 68Damiano also says to add material, or mulch, to the surface of the plant bed. This helps keep the soil wet and healthy. 69Deep shade is the most challenging for gardeners. If you garden in a three- or four-season climate where deciduous trees block the summer sun, take advantage of springtime conditions by planting bulbs. They will grow into a colorful spring show before the trees become too leafy. 70Ways to increase light 71The gardening expert adds that painting nearby structures white reflects sunlight. Glass and mirrored objects can also reflect light around the garden. 72If possible, carefully cut some tree branches. This is "to prune," and it lets more sunlight reach the ground. 73What to plant? 74Damiano says to research the low-light plants suitable for your area. She also says to not give up on growing plants you can eat. Vegetables like tomatoes and peppers need a lot of sun. But leafy greens actually grow better in part shade. Asian greens, arugula, cilantro, spinach, and kale all grow well in dappled to part shade. 75As for pests, Damiano says that some, like slugs and snails, like shade gardens. But most other pests are less of a problem in low-light conditions. 76She also suggests another good thing about shady gardens - you will sweat less while gardening! 77And that's the Health & Lifestyle report. I'm Anna Matteo. 78Jessica Damiano wrote for The Associated Press. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English. 79Words in This Story 80gardener - n. a person who works in a garden especially for pay 81meter - n. an instrument for measuring and sometimes recording the time or amount of something 82compost - n. a mixture that consists largely of decayed organic matter and is used for fertilizing and conditioning land 83clay - n. an earthy material that is sticky and easily molded when wet and hard when baked 84drainage - n. the act or process of removing a liquid 85deciduous - adj. biology : falling off or shed seasonally or at a certain stage of development in the life cycle 86bulb - n. a dormant stage of a plant that is formed underground and consists of a very short stem with one or more flower buds surrounded by special thick leaves 87reflect - v. to bend or throw back (waves of light, sound, or heat) 88sweat - v. to give off salty moisture through the pores of the skin