Sheltered or Sunny Walls

A wall that faces the sun provides plants with protection from the wind and reflects the sun's heat back onto your crops during the day. It will also absorb heat and release it at night when the air temperature falls. A sheltered microclimate is ideal for growing heat-loving vegetables, such as tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers, so if you have one in your garden, make the most of it. Improve the soil, create a raised bed, or position pots at the base of the wall. Remember to keep plants well watered.

Tips for sunny walls:

• Add supports, such as wire mesh, to the wall to secure tall and scrambling plants as they grow.
• Take advantage of a sunny wall as the perfect backdrop for tomatoes in a growing bag.
• Be adventurous and try growing more unusual crops, such as sweet corn and chili peppers.