Experts reveal £0 gardening hack that can make plants grow twice as fast

If your plants are struggling to grow, the problem might not be your soil, watering schedule or fertiliser – it could be which way your garden is facing.

According to experts at MAC Renewables, a simple, £0 gardening trick could significantly boost plant growth – and it’s all about maximising natural sunlight.

“It’s something solar panel installers have known for years,” a MAC Renewables expert explained. “South-facing spaces absorb far more direct sunlight throughout the day – and that principle applies to your plants, too.”

South-Facing Gardens: A Natural Growth Booster

Plants need light for photosynthesis – the process that turns sunlight into energy. But not all gardens are created equal. In the UK, a south-facing garden receives the most consistent and direct sunlight between morning and late afternoon, especially during spring and summer.

A 2023 study by the Royal Horticultural Society found that plants grown in south-facing plots showed up to 52% more foliage and flower density compared to the same varieties in shaded or north-facing beds.

“Think of your garden like a solar panel,” says the MAC Renewables team. “The more light it gets, the more energy it can harness – whether it’s for your home or your hydrangeas.”

A Gardener’s Take: “It Changed My Growing Season”

Sophie Latham, 41, a hobby gardener from Yorkshire, agrees. She says rethinking the layout of her garden completely changed her harvest.

“I used to have my vegetable beds near the back fence, which gets shaded by trees. I didn’t realise how much that was stunting growth,” Sophie told us.

“Now, I’ve shifted my raised beds and greenhouse to a south-facing corner. My tomatoes came in a month earlier last year – and I had more chillies than I could give away.”

Her other tips for light-maximising gardens:

Use reflective surfaces (like pale gravel or white walls) to bounce more light onto plants.
Rotate pots and containers every few days to help each side absorb light.
Prune overhanging trees or hedges that block the sun.
Solar Experts Weigh In

MAC Renewables, specialists in solar energy solutions, say this crossover between garden success and solar panel positioning is no coincidence.

A spokesperson said:
“In the UK, we always install solar panels on south-facing roofs wherever possible – it ensures they capture the most sunlight over the course of the day. The same principle applies to gardens. If you want stronger, healthier plants, put them where they can soak up the sun.”