Shade Loving Veg?

[Deleted]

Hello all

I'm trying to get the ground prepared for next season but I have realised that half of the area I have set aside will be in shade.

Ill try explain the the layout of the plot:
The garden is on a East-West axis and there are two large conifers that block out a lot of light on the south side of the plot (in my neighbours garden)

Imagine the below is a block of 9 raised beds, each shows what type of light they get

Light...........Light Shade............Shade Light...........Light Shade............Shade Light...........Light Shade............Shade

My question is, what types of vegetables can tolerate shade?

[Alicat]

Hi,paul - Welcome.

Hope you don't mind me jumping in on your thread.

Good question !!
I would also like to know the Answer please.

Alicat.

[Deleted]

Hi Paul and Welcome

I've had a quick look through my Dr Hessayon veggie book to see what would grow in your shadey areas. Sadly not that much.

Apparently Mushrooms like shade (I have no idea how you grow these but I think that you can buy something called mushroom logs which have the spores inpregnated onto the log...maybe worth a google!!). Something called Hamburg Parsley also likes shade, the leaves of which you use like parsley and it's roots taste like a 'well flavoured parsnip with a hint of celery'...could be interesting ;D

In your light shade areas you could grow Lettuce, Parsnips, Spinach, Chard Leef Beet and I wonder if you might be able to grow things like Oriental Greens (Pak Choi/Mizuna)

I shall have a look at a few other veggie books, if I find anything else I'll let you know.
Don't suppose there's any chance of relocating your proposed veggie bed as I wonder what the soil will be like if there are 2 conifers next door taking away the nutrients and moisture.

Best Wishes
GH

[Spruance]

Hi Paul

Just to follow up from GH's idea about growing mushrooms in a log.

I found this link a few months ago in response to a question on the BBC boards.

www.gourmetmushrooms.co.uk/product_home.htm

As for the original question. I understand the situation with your neighbour's trees, but how bad is the shade? You must get some some light in the mornings and evenings from the rising and setting sun. Any chance of a photo?


Spruance

[Plocket]

My very basic gardening book suggests that lettuce, spinach and pak choi and beet can cope with semi-shade, as do some herbs: flat-leaved and curly parsley; sorrel; rocket; chervil; coriander; dill; basil (needs evening sun); celery leaf; bay; lemon balm; mint, rosemary (as long as it gets some sun) and salad burnet.

I know the herbs aren't vegetables but I hope it helps you!

[Deleted]

Paul

Just had a read of Bob Flowerdew while having lunch.....and to quote him

" the vegetable plot needs careful positioning and laying out if any choice is possible. Preferably it should be in full sun with no overhanging trees and as far away from trees,walls or hedging as possible. Wet and boggy sites should be avoided, the plot should be kept well away from big hedges - especially leyland cypress and privet which will steal any goodness and moisture from the soil "

Haven't found anything else that likes full shade...Sorry

GH

[Plocket]

Ooo ooo!!! I've just found out that Brussel Sprouts will cope with partial shade (less than half a day of sun), as will beetroot, 'Bolthardy', calabrese, kale, kohl rabi, lettuce – little gem and radish.

You could also consider growing raspberries, blackcurrants, gooseberry and rhubarb.

[4pygmies]

That's not toooo bad Paul. You can have a go at all the above mentioned in your shade bed. In my experience Raspberries are brilliant in shade - it doesn't stop mine fruiting heavily. I should get some good rich muck in those beds and make sure it's not too dry. The problem with the tree roots isn't so bad if the beds are raised. You could always use that end for some flowery bits as well, mixed in to pretty it up! Parsley prefers shade and would look lovely with Tagetes or Calendula mixed in.

[obelixx]

My veg patch is on the north side of the house so only gets direct sun from April to mid September and the beds nearest the house don't get it all day. My beds are raised so have good drainage and get liberal helpings of garden compost but not every year. Depends on the rotation.

I find the veg that do best in the bed nearest the house are the cabbage family - red, Savoy, broccoli, Pak Choi; leeks, rocket, salads, radishes, beetroot and Swiss chard. I've also had success with Japanese onions planted in October and harvested in July. I've got some shallotts I planted late this year and am just about to harvest.

My two blueberries live in pots in the same area and have no sun all winter. They crop prolifically and rhubarb also likes some shade. I've currently got some escaped alpine strawberries colonising the shadiest bed and they have cropped heavily this year too.

The sunnier beds grow fennel, beans, sweetcorn, Jerusalem artichokes, courgettes and pumpkins, raspberries, strawberries, blackcurrants, blackberries, tayberries, redcurrants. I've had success with parsnips but don't do well with carrots. I shall grow them in pots next year as I did the spuds this year.

[Deleted]

Wow, thanks for the responses there. Certainly gives me a lot to go on.

As far as siting the plot, unfortunately its the only place I can have it. Its a very long thin garden with one third of it, down the length, in semi shade/shade The two very large conifers are bang on the boundary and must be 30ft plus directly south of me which really does block out the majority of the light from part of the patch. I think I will broach the subject politely with the neighbour and offer to pay for any work...

Raspeberries and Blackberries I think are a must fort he sahdy area, went to the evil supermarket yesterday and they were £2 for a small handfull. I left feeling robbed!

I will try and squeeze as much as I can in the semi-shade/light part of the patch and use the dark shade for things like the compost heap and the incinerator etc...

Thanks again
Paul

[Plocket]

Good luck Paul - it certainly sounds as though you are thinking it all through carefully. I agree that the price they charge for soft-fruit is crazy, but it's so delicious. But just you wait until you grow your own, and the satisfaction you'll get when you start harvesting, and then you'll have so much soft-fruit you'll be wondering what to do with it!

[Alicat]

Just out of interest.
If we built higher Raised beds & lined them with plastic ( with holes in and plenty of good compost/soil) would this stop the conifer trees (or at least slow them down) from Stealing all the water and nutrients.?
Otherwise I will have to re- organize the garden, which 'OH' doesn't want to do.

Cheers.
Alicat.

[Chuckles]

Found this thread CPB just incase you did think about having raised beds at the back of your garden and it is shadey, there is stuff you can grow.

[Deleted]

Just also read that Crosnes (Chinese Artichokes) do not mind shade. Might give them a try, anyone else grown them before?

[Chuckles]

Well I was intrigued so did a Goggle image search, they are very strange looking. Then I found this and it has put me off totally

www.innvista.com/health/foods/vegetables/chinart.htm

What do you think andy sorry I mean paul ?

[Deleted]

I find that runner beans crop so much better if given shade or partial shade.