You already know that growing some of your own food is good for the environment, your health, and your bank account. The problem is, many of us don't have a wide expanse of sunny garden space readily available. With a little planning, however, even plots of land that get only a few hours of sunlight a day can produce an abundance of fresh produce.
Is Shade a Problem for Growing Vegetables?
Shade can be a challenge for gardeners who want to establish a kitchen garden. For instance, it is difficult to grow fruits and root vegetables in the shade. As expert gardener Richard Bisgrove explains in Garden Rescue, plants depend heavily on flower production and an accumulation of sugar in the plant to produce a healthy fruit or form a substantial root. These are processes that require plentiful sunlight, which is why fruit-bearing plants like tomatoes and root vegetables like carrots require full sun. Fortunately, some vegetables are more suited to shadier areas. These are generally plants that are looser in habit, leafier, and lower in sugar.
It is also important to consider the type of shady area you have in mind. Deep shade, with very little direct or reflected sunlight, will probably not be the best location for a vegetable plot. However, dappled shade (like that found under a big leafy tree) or areas that get just a few hours of sun a day can be promising places to grow vegetables.
Make Friends With Your Shady Spaces
To make the most of a shady garden area, try to work with the shade rather than against it. We know now that shady sites are not ideal for root and fruit growth, and are much better suited for growing plants with large or plentiful leaves. So, focus on leafy green vegetables when planning your garden layout, and you'll have a much better harvest from your sun-scarce garden bed.
Don't despair, 'leafy green' doesn't only mean lettuce – and if you've just got the plain old iceberg type in mind, think again. There are so many different kinds of lettuce, you could create a diverse garden space full of different tastes, textures, and colours just by focusing on salad greens. If you're looking to grow your own gourmet salad, here are some tasty shade-friendly greens to try:
- Green or red leaf lettuce
- Endive
- Arugula
- Spinach
- Mesclun mix
- Mustard greens
Once you've chosen your perfect home-grown salad ingredients, you can add some of these other leafy favourites to your shady vegetable patch:
- Leeks
- Asparagus
- Rhubarb
- Kale
- Bok choy
Although most people think of a dry, sun-baked area as the ideal place to grow herbs, there are some types that will tolerate shadier areas. Some great herbs to try in a shady spot include:
- Mint
- Parsley
- Chives
- Lemon balm
- Rosemary
Some Vegetables Just Won't Thrive in the Shade
Finally, even though there is a good range of vegetables that will grow in a shady area, it's wise to remember that some plants simply won't flourish without a full day of sun. Here's a good rule of thumb: if you eat the fruit or the root, it will likely need a sunny spot to grow. This means it is best to save vegetables like tomatoes, squash, carrots, beets, and peas for a sunnier garden patch. However, if you don't have a lot of full sun garden space, even setting a container or two of patio tomato plants on a sunny porch or sidewalk can yield enough tomatoes to compliment your shade-happy salad mix.
Sources:
Bisgrove, Richard. (2006). Garden Rescue. London, UK: Frances Lincoln.
Heather Schmitt - Heather Schmitt - A freelance writer and nature enthusiast, Heather Schmitt has a Masters degree in Environmental Studies...
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