It is possible to grow fruit and vegetables in shadier areas. Deputy editor Emma Rawlings suggests a few crops that should do well.
If you wish to create a vegetable plot but don’t have the luxury of an open, sunny aspect you can still grow some crops if you have a shadier spot. Some crops will even benefit from being out of the fierce summer sun.
However, if you can position the veg beds in a spot that has some sun for at least part of the day (3-4 hours) then you will be able to grow better crops and more varied ones too.
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How to reduce shade in your garden
If the area is partly shaded, look at what you could do to improve the light and improve the soil the crops will be growing in. Add plenty of organic matter such as garden compost to improve the fertility and water-holding capacity of the soil.
If shade is being caused by overhanging branches of trees, then consider having some of the lower branches removed, as long as they don’t have tree preservation orders on them. It will make a massive difference to the light if you can thin out or remove a few branches.
Growing too near hedges, trees or high walls can be problematic due to dry soil, and dry shade is even harder to grow crops in. You could try raised beds in these areas with the addition of good soil and plenty of organic matter added and use of mulches around the base of the crops to hold in moisture.
If a wall or fence is causing shade, you could consider painting with a light colour to help reflect light back to the plants.
Top tip for shady gardens: start off in pots
It is worth starting off some crops in containers first to give them a head start, either sowing under cover or sowing into a small seed bed that is in full sun. Grow them on to a decent size (about 15cm/6in) tall before planting out in the shadier areas.
Fruit and vegetables you can grow in the shade
Every plot is different and so try growing what you like to eat to see if it works. You may be surprised at what you can grow. The following crops are those that tend to do better in shadier spots. These tend to be the leafier ones. In contrast, the flowering and fruiting crops tend to prefer sunnier spots as a general rule.
- Kale
This very leafy brassica crop comes in a variety of colours and leaf forms. Stick to the green forms for part shade such as ‘Black Tuscany’ or ‘Dwarf Green Curled’. You can sow kale from March to June or later if you are happy to just harvest baby leaves. You can sow seed close together (1-2cm/¾in apart) in a seedbed on the plot. Cover with fleece or a cloche covered in fine mesh netting to protect the young seedlings from pests.
Thin out the seedlings to keep a space between them as they grow and then dig up the plants when about 15cm (6in) tall and move into their final growing positions. Keep covered with netting to keep pigeons and cabbage white butterflies at bay.
You can also start them off in cell trays on a greenhouse bench or in a cold frame. - Kohl rabi
This is a brassica that produces swollen stem bases which is the part you tend to eat. You can either grate it to make a coleslaw or use in stews. The younger, tender leaves can be eaten too. It will tolerate drier conditions so it may do fine in a drier, partly shaded spot. - Lettuce
This is a great crop for partial shade. Lettuce seed germinates better if slightly cooler and the leafy crop will do perfectly well with just three hours of sun on it a day. Sow the seed direct from March until early September. - Salad leaves
There are lots of seed mixes you can buy. Some have a mild flavour while others that contain mustard or rocket have a hotter flavour. These are perfect for partly shaded spots. They tend to be harvested young anyway but will tolerate a bit of shade. Simply sow from spring right through until early autumn. Sow short rows every couple of weeks to get a good succession of leaves to harvest. - Beetroot
This crop can be sown in spring right through until about July. Sow short rows every couple of weeks to get a succession of harvests. Ideally harvest when about golf ball size. If sowing in June you may have some roots to lift and store for autumn, early winter use. - Swiss chard
This is such a useful crop and can be grown to harvest when the leaves are small or grown to maturity for harvesting the stems. It is a useful crop to have in the ground over winter to give you something to harvest in the leaner months. Sow from April direct and thin out the plants to about 25cm (10in) apart. - Spinach
There are many varieties which produce lots of tasty nutritious leaves during the summer. You can also grow perpetual spinach which is actually a chard but it is very hardy and ideal for year-round production. All will tolerate a bit of shade. Sow spinach direct from March to June. Perhaps avoid sowing in July and August when it is likely to be hot and dry. It doesn’t do so well sown then as heat can cause the young plants to bolt (run to flower). Sow again when cooler at the end of August and into September. - Others to try: Chinese cabbage, cabbage, rocket, mizuna, peas, leeks, sorrel, lamb’s lettuce, mustards, many herbs, including chervil, parsley, mint and garlic chives.
Fruit to grow in the shade
- Gooseberries
- Redcurrants
- Blackcurrants
- Blackberries
- Acid cherries such as ‘Morello’
- Blueberries
- Rhubarb
- Raspberries
- Alpine strawberries.
Pears prefer a bit of sun but if in part shade during the day they should still produce a good crop of fruit.
You may think that crops won’t grow in those shady areas of the garden, but that’s not always the case. Give these fruit and veg a go – you’ll be surprised by the results!
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About the Author
- How to grow fruit and veg in a shady garden - 12th April 2024
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