Change windows for more light!
 

I recently learned something interesting ; I get more light during the winter than I do during the summer. Here's what I found out :

Through winter, when outdoor plants lose their leaves and no longer block the window, it's pretty obvious that the window will receive better light.

Also, when it's summer, the sun travels from sunset to sunrise, directly passing over the center of the visible sky (at noon, it's usually directly on top of the house). This means that there is most sun around sunrise and sunset.

During the winter, however, the sun travels lower to the horizon. This gives those lower windows much more sunlight than during summer. Depending on the placement of the window, it should receive longer lasting light near the beginning and end of the day.

I think by using lower windows during the winter and higher windows during the summer can help maximize your light levels. An added bonus is that higher windows are blocked by foliage during the growing months.

I'm not sure how this can affect the plants seasonal clock, but for plants that don't really mind (I.e. tropical plants) it can be useful.

I put the plants all out for the summer to fix the problem of less indoor light. :)

Yup - some of my orchids change location with different seasons ...

Just moved all mine arround for their summer positions over the weekend.

Yeah, I've noticed changes in trees cause a lessening of light in the summer, though it only really affects one of my windows. My windows don't face the path of the sun in winter so no difference in the summer with it going overhead, I get more in my greenhouse in the summer though because once it's going higher it clears the neighbours roof instead of hiding behind that when at a lower level.

I think the angle of my house means I do get a lot more in summer, but where I lived years ago there was definitely more in the winter.

And don't forget about the light that is reflected back off the snow...

Spoken like a true Northerner!