What would you do?

Okay, here is the scenario:
I have three spots that I am closely watching to put my garden in. Please advice on what choice you would make out of these three. None of them IMO are ideal but I must make due with what I have. If you choose #2 please explain how the high heat during the summer months will effect it. If you pick 1 or 3, please explain how the partial shade will effect it. Oh and shade or no shade, it is hot in my yard no matter what.


1) 11:00-3 Partial Sun. 3:30-5:30 Full Sun. (This spot is closest to the pool)

2) 8:30-9:30 Partial Sun. 9:30-5:30 Full Sun (This spot is next to my house and the hottest spot in the yard)

3) 10-11 Partial Sun. 11-3:30 Full Sun. (This is my favorite spot but I worry about not enough sun. I did have tomatoes and jalapenos in pots and they seem to do well but what do I know, I am a beginner)

Any advice will be super useful. This has been consuming my every thought for the last week and I am still undecided.

I would pick #2. Sacramento is hot in the summer, but it ain't hell. You need the sun and the whole San Joaquin Valley manages just fine.

I am also familiar with someone who has a full sun garden in Sacramento (Oranegvale) and it is pretty successful so I do not think it would be so bad. Worse comes to worse, you could always use some shade cloth, but better sun that you can shade than shade where you can't get sun. Veggies planted at the right time will do fine in the sun and heat. And when it's hot the shade is a small comfort - its still hot! LOL.

I agree with Chopper. Area #2.
The later sunlight is better. You can always shade but you can't produce sun if its just not there.
My own garden beds are shady in the morning to about ten a.m. but then sunny the rest of the day. I'm in Maine so it makes a difference, but, as mentioned, sun is better than shade.
Get started and good luck.

I agree with #2. You won't be able to grow lettuce there in the summer or other cool/marginal crops but you can grow them in the fall/winter. Sun is the most important consideration.

And just think of the wonderful HOT weather plants you can have! Be sure to plan for water availability and best of luck!

I'm with the others on #2... Most crops want more sun, 6-8 hours being the least recommended sun-hours.

Might you want to put a small bed in area #3 for the cooler crops, where MAYBE you could get lettuce and such throughout the season? With the partial shade, you may be able to 'get away' with that!

I was looking at the description of area #1, and would stay away from it, if it's close enough to get pool-water splash. Chlorine and pool chemicals are bad for gardens.

Thank you to all who helped make my decision. I will be setting my area up tomorrow morning. I am so excited! By the way, I love this site!