Comments on: What to Grow in the Shady Bit

By: Laura

Laura — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 16:37:33 +0000

Hi Just found your blog after following a link from the BBC, looking forward to having a good look around but first a quick comment because I am slightly surprised you list Asparagus - it is a native of coastal areas so used to high light levels, it needs full sun in my garden and I live in the Southern France with plenty of light. Does it grow well for you in the shade?
Other things that will grow well in partial-shade include: angelica, chervil, lovage, sorrel, comfry, spinach, mizuna and other oriental leafy brassicas, jerusalem artichokes, chrysanthemum greens, land cress, and garlic mustard (jack-by-the-hedge).

By: John

John — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:38:05 +0000

I thought I was also doomed when I found half my garden in my new house didnt get any direct sunlight. I soon found though the best things to growm in the shade are: Try growing some shade tolerant vegetables (shade for more than half a day) like beetroot, ‘Bolthardy’, calabrese, kale, kohl rabi, lettuce - little gem. Also radish, spinach and herbs - chives, mint and parsley are all shade tolerant. Fruit such as raspberries, blackcurrants, gooseberry and rhubarb are plants of the woodland edge and will thrive in this environment. You could try other strategies to improve the growing conditions such as increasing the light levels by careful pruning of trees.

By: carl

carl — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 21:55:09 +0000

Just come across the site, like to say thanks for the info. The whole back of the veggie patch is covered with trees so is in shade apart from late afternoon when i may get a couple of hours, I think i’ll go with the fruit bushes and a herb patch .. at least I can get some use out it, and if all that fails .. grow slugs !!!

By: Galla

Galla — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:44:23 +0000

I tried cucumbers the other month and loophas earlier, similarly to what you did with Runner Beans - it worked. Yes, not many cucumbers down there, but up, in the sun, we had quite a number.
Great blog, I’m actually quite new to veggie’s gardening, so your posts ‘ve been very educational. Thanks a lot! Found you from Down-to-earth blog.

By: Cheese

Cheese — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 21:17:22 +0000

On our balcony we only get sun until mid-afternoon so light is a big concern to us. You have a couple of herbs in your list but I would definitely add tarragon and parsley (both flat-leaf and curled) both of which thrive when partially shaded from our experience.

I’ve started growing some small berries (blue/straw/rasp) this year too and am hoping that they will do well in the shade.

I think your idea to grow runner beans in a sunny area and then move them is a great idea. In this way you can allow the plants to share the sunny patch when they most need it.

By: Nicki

Nicki — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 13:14:39 +0000

Thanks for the advice, Gill. I only have one small bed in the shade so I’ll probably do as you do.

By: Dropstone Farms » links for 2009-03-08

Dropstone Farms » links for 2009-03-08 — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 02:55:59 +0000

[...] My Tiny Plot » Blog Archive » What to Grow in the Shady Bit What grows well in the shady parts of the yard. (tags: shade garden-planning varieties) [...]

By: lynn

lynn — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 17:18:15 +0000

I’ve heard people use various things to reflect light into a shady spot. Aluminum foil and/or white plastic shower curtain. Perhaps the shower curtain cut to size and framed in with wood could actually be of some use while at the same time reflecting some light? It wouldn’t have to look unsightly.

An article in an Organic Gardening magazine told of a woman who used mirrors!! I suppose if you are really in need of some light these techniques could be handy.

By: Steph aka Yellow

Steph aka Yellow — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 07:22:49 +0000

The most important thing I found over that last two years in the shady bit was slug control. I have finally resorted to organic slug pelletts, because every little growing plant was being eaten before it could get ahead.

By: mtp

mtp — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 20:37:10 +0000

Hi Nicki,

I would say do whatever works for you. I just plant things in the shady part as I go and move them around each year. I don’t have a specific rotation as such because it’s such a small part of the garden. However if yours is bigger then a plan would be advisable in order to get the best from it.