Canopy is the outdoor yardstick
Full sun range
about 1/3 oz to 1 oz per square foot of canopy
Covered area
the patch of vegetation that actually catches sun sets the harvest
Height myth
taller plants do not add yield if the extra height sits in shade
Light stop
sun does not punch far through a closed canopy
Uneven tops
a rolling canopy still counts as the same surface if the sun hits the same area
What cuts outdoor yield
Variety
Aromasome plants are modest
Region
Aromamore sun hours and clearer skies raise the light the plants see
Clouds
Aromaovercast areas deliver less light than dry, sunny ones
Shade
Heat and cold
Aromabelow about 70 F (20 C) or above about 85 to 90 F (29 to 32 C) slows photosynthesis
Water and the rest of the bed
Mild drought
soil can still look wet while the plant spends extra energy pulling water
No wilt needed
growth already slows before leaves droop
Soil and feed
mix quality and how you garden still move the final weight
Indoor contrast
outdoors, sun and canopy area replace lamp watts as the main limit
Design the bed for light
Fill the sun
aim for a continuous canopy, not tall skinny plants with bare floor between them
Watch autumn
later in the season, nearby objects cast longer shade
One layer
extra height under a closed top is mostly stems, not extra flower
Measure green
plan harvest from square feet of canopy, then adjust for weather