While looking at a graph is great for a quick check, your sun tracker likely collected hundreds of data points. Instead of manually counting hours, you can use Gemini to analyze the "shape" of your data and cross-reference it with your specific climate.

Step 1: Exporting Your Feed Data from Adafruit IO

First, to get the raw data out of the cloud and onto your computer.

1. Navigate to your Feeds page on Adafruit IO.

2. Select the feed you’ve been using for your sun tracker (e.g., ambient-light).

3. Right below the graph, you will see a big blue Download All Data button.

4. Click Download All Data. Then in the popup, choose the Download as CSV button. Wait a minute, then click the 'Click to Refresh' link and you should see a 'Link' show up on the left of the request.

Step 2: Quick Cleanup

AI works best when the data is "clean." Before we hand this over to Gemini, let's tidy it up.

1. Open your favorite spreadsheet app (like Google Sheets) and go to File > Import > Upload to open your CSV.

2. You’ll see columns for value, created_at, and potentially some metadata.

3. Delete any columns that aren't the light value or the timestamp.

4. Filter for a "Good" couple of days. If you had a week of rain, that data isn't useful for finding "Full Sun" spots. Find a 24–48 hour window that was clear and sunny, and copy those rows into a new sheet.

5. Download as PDF or CSV that we can have an AI read.

Step 3: Let Gemini Interpret the Data

Now for the fun part. Give AI your data and your location (Hardiness Zone) so it can act as your personal botanist.

The Prompt

Upload your file to your AI of choice, then use a prompt similar to this:

"I am attaching a CSV of light intensity data collected by my sun tracker over the last 48 hours. I live in USDA Hardiness Zone 4.

Please analyze this data and:

1. Calculate the total number of 'High Intensity' sun hours per day.

2. Determine if this spot is Full Sun, Partial Sun, or Shade.

3. Recommend 5 plants (a mix of vegetables, herbs, and flowers) that would thrive in this specific light profile AND survive in Zone 4."

Step 4: The Response

I used Gemini to interpret my few days of data and here is what it came up with for me:

Based on the light measurements provided and the climate of Minneapolis, MN (USDA Hardiness Zone 4b), here is an analysis of your garden spot and recommendations for what will grow best there.

Light Analysis

The data indicates that this spot receives Partial Sun to Partial Shade.

• Intensity: The light levels peak between 10:00 AM and 3:00 PM (Central Time), with average values around 14,000 lux and maximum peaks reaching over 31,000 lux on sunny days.

• Duration: You are getting approximately 4 to 6 hours of significant light (above 10,000 lux) per day. This is ideal for plants that prefer "Part Sun" or "Part Shade"—they need some direct sunlight to thrive but may struggle or wilt in the intense, all-day heat of a full-sun exposure.

Recommended Plants for Minneapolis (Zone 4b)

Since Minneapolis has very cold winters, you need "hardy" plants that can survive temperatures down to -25°F.

1. Perennials (Flowers that come back every year)

• Hostas: These are the gold standard for partial shade in Minnesota. They come in hundreds of varieties and colors.

• Astilbe: These produce beautiful, plume-like flowers in summer and thrive in the 4–6 hour light window, especially if the soil stays moist.

• Bleeding Heart (Lamprocapnos spectabilis): A classic spring-blooming perennial that loves partial shade.

• Coral Bells (Heuchera): Grown primarily for their stunning foliage (purple, lime, silver, or red), they do very well in partial sun.

• Daylilies (Hemerocallis): Extremely hardy in Zone 4. While they love sun, many varieties will bloom well with 5–6 hours of light.

• Bee Balm (Monarda): Look for mildew-resistant varieties; they attract pollinators and handle partial sun well.

2. Shrubs

• Annabelle Hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens): These are very hardy in Minnesota and produce massive white flower heads in partial shade.

• Serviceberry (Amelanchier): A native shrub/small tree that offers white spring flowers, edible berries, and great fall color.

• Dogwood (Cornus sericea): Specifically the Red-Osier Dogwood, which provides beautiful red stems in the winter.

3. Edibles

• Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, kale, and Swiss chard actually prefer partial shade in the heat of a Minneapolis summer, as it prevents them from "bolting" (going to seed) too early.

• Herbs: Mint, chives, and cilantro will grow very well in this light profile.

• Root Vegetables: Carrots and beets can tolerate partial sun, though they may grow slightly slower than in full sun.