I'm not sure about that ... I think it rises in the southeast and sets in the southwest  farther south in the winter, but always in the southern sky (in the temperate northern hemisphere). A south-facing slope receives the sun's rays more directly (and so more intensely), a north-facing one more obliquely (and with longer shadows). Changes in day length have to do with the angle between the axis of the earth's rotation and that of its orbit around the sun. The length and timing of the shadow will be different during the growing season and now. Especially with trees there, you may be wise to start well away from the fence. I would think 15' would give you years before the trees cast a shadow on your garden plot. There's a growing tree just to the east of my garden, and it casts shade, especially on the eastern edge, for a couple of hours each morning. I find it's a handy place to lean tools against, hang my coat, and get some shade if I'm out working. The small amount of lost light doesn't seem to make any difference. Here is a link that might be useful: Sun and seasons

Hello Folks,I have a lemon tree in a 5 gal pail and I change the dirt ( oh shucks can't remember when I changed it last )but anyway it gives me fruit every year- this year I got 11 lemons from it an I don't know what kind it is- during the winter months it flowers and I polinate it using Q- Tips going from flower to flower- this old couple who lived down the street gave to me about 30 years ago and they had it for 20 years- don't know where they bought it- I think Fla. not sure but what I want to know is can I put Coffee Grounds around the base of the tree since it's a acid tree? Thanks, Slim

If the Kumquat has green branches, don't give up on it yet. I've seen trees drop all of their leaves and come back. Branches are dead when they turn black. I keep potted citrus in the house over winter. In the middle of winter when citrus are staving for light is not the best time uproot them. Even more so if they are stressed from something. We can only speculate as to what your problem may be without any photos.

Spirea looks great - I've never heard of them, so thank you! Apparently they're pretty salt tolerant too! Looks like MM and TnS are definitely out then - the little corner of my yard that gets shade is mostly morning... and it's pretty dappled even then. As far as the dogs go... I have a 15lb mutt. She's athletic enough, but it would take a bit of effort to get over a 4' fence and a VERY good reason lol. Even on the long line she isn't outside without supervision - I don't see how a fence would change that. I suspect she would be okay off the lead, but with how busy my road is I'm not tempting fate. The neighbour dog is an overweight bulldog that's terrified of her own shadow. Since she spends as much time in my front yard as she does in her own, I'm worried that my happy little idiot (that would really like to be besties) will catch her off guard one day and get chomped. There are coyotes about an hour away, but as far as I know haven't migrated here yet. I've caught the neighbour dog doing her business in my yard - and I keep a shovel hidden in the front garden for that reason since it's almost a daily thing - but blaming dog walkers might be off base, you're right. (Note that the shovel is for the poop, not the dog lol.)