Garden Article All About Sundials

Sundial History and Use

For more than 3500 years, sundials have been used to mark the passage of time. While modern day timepieces have long since replaced the practical usefulness of the sundial, a sense of nostalgia makes sundials appropriate as functional garden accents. There’s an enormous selection of sundials to choose from. More than likely there’s one which suit your garden.

Sundials are incredibly accurate, in fact they’re often more accurate than modern timepieces. If your sundial is installed correctly and it's time disagrees with your watch, your watch is wrong. Public clocks used to be reset according to sundials. This highly complex timepiece accurately tells the time according to the sun's noon placement in the sky.

The tip of any vertical object can be used to tell the time. As the sun passes, the tip of the shadow traces the hours throughout the day. Basically there are two components to a sundial: the plate, and the shadow arm that rises out of the center at an angle. This arm creates the shadow which moves across the plate. The plate needs to face due north in order for the sundial to work properly. At noon, using a compass set you sundial by rotating the plate until there is no shadow, the plate should be facing north. Make sure the plate stays flat; pedestals are available which will help keep your sundial secure.

Sundials make great lawn ornaments as well. They’re an attractive addition to your garden décor but also a fascinating study in history so consider adding a sundial to your garden. This can become not only a beautification for your lawn or garden, but also a interesting conversation piece as well.






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