A. Light plays a crucial role in how plants perform. Only when we reach the proper balance of light can our gardeners maximize their success. There must be the proper number of consecutive hours and amount of light that our plants receive.
I have found that there are several means to improve and control the amount of light that your plants get. You may use an inorganic mulch called light stone that can be used around your plants to increase reflected light. You may also want to try painting any of the buildings, structures or fences near your garden a white or light color to aid in reflecting light toward your garden. Do not paint your house unless it has been discussed with your spouse first! Also, strips of aluminum foil may be placed in the garden around plants requiring long hours of light to reflect more light toward the plants.
The flowering response of plants can be influenced by day length and plants can be classified short-day, long-day, and plants that are daylight indifferent (also known as day-neutral) in their light requirements. Short-day plants require 10-12 hours of light. Plant such as asparagus, carrots, and potatoes are short-day plants. Long-day plants require 14-18 hours of light and include beets, onions and spinach and most annuals. Examples of indifferent or day-neutral plants are African violets, kale and begonias.
I have learned that light can influence a plant's performance in many ways. Over the last three years, Master Gardener Herman Auer has presented a seminar in January on growing peaches and plums. In his presentation, Herman noted that if peach growers prune out the center of their trees, it will increase light penetration into a tree's canopy and thereby increase flower bud formation and fruit yields. You may want to call or visit the Extension office to obtain more information on gardening seminars.
Gardeners may be surprised to learn that some seeds germinate more readily when exposed to light. You can sow them directly on top of the seed bed when planting, and they will germinate better than if you plant them in the soil. You might try planting your lettuce, carrots, mustard, turnips, celery and some flower seeds this way, gently press them down and lightly watering them.
Understanding how light impacts the performance of a given plant will increase your success as a gardener.