Should raised garden beds be in sun or shade?

Full sun wins for most raised garden beds — at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily is the threshold that supports vegetables, herbs, and most fruiting plants at productive yield.

Most crops grown in raised garden beds — tomatoes, peppers, squash, beans, cucumbers — are sun-demanding plants that convert direct light into fruit production. Shade reduces yield and increases disease pressure from poor air circulation and damp foliage. Partial shade (3–6 hours) works for cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, and kale, which actually bolt slower and stay more tender when shielded from intense afternoon sun. The bed's location matters more than any other setup decision.

• Full-sun threshold for raised garden beds: minimum 6 hours of direct sunlight per day.
• Partial shade range (3–6 hours) suits cool-season crops: lettuce, spinach, kale, cilantro.
• Fruiting vegetables in raised garden beds require 8+ hours of sun for full yield.
• AmazStove raised garden beds have 12-inch wall depth — sufficient root room regardless of sun exposure.
• Afternoon shade placement reduces soil moisture loss, lowering watering frequency in hot climates.