All shade is not equal. Some shady conditions will yield much more produce than others will, while some areas are better left for hostas and moss. Gardeners should be familiar with the different types of shade, but should also keep in mind that measuring how much shade your garden gets isn’t always easy. As long as your space gets at least three to four hours of sun, you’ll have a good choice.
It’s helpful for extending the harvest season of crops which might otherwise bolt too quickly in summer heat, and you can enjoy all the beautiful ornamental plants that actually prefer some shade to thrive. You could also think about using your shady space to grow plants to use as Christmas decoration.
If your space gets 3 – 4 hours sun, your choice is restricted but there is still a lot you can grow. Good choices include:
Most leafy crops grow well in less sun including:
- chard
- kale
- spinach
These herbs are all well suited to less sun:
- parsley
- mint
- chives and garlic chives
- wild garlic
While the following herbs, traditionally grown in full sun, will grow okay in less. They will still taste good, if not quite as full flavoured as full sun.
- asparagus (although fewer spears will be produced)
- rosemary
- dill
- basil
- sage
- lettuce
- mustard greens
- thyme
- bay
- oregano
Most fruits require plenty of sun to develop and ripen. The exceptions tend to be the woodland fruits that have evolved to ripen in dappled shade. Professional growers will grow many of these fruits in full sun for a sweeter fruit, but they will ripen fine in less sun – and, depending on your palette, the slightly less sweet fruit can be a bonus. All the following can be grown in containers. The best suited are probably blueberries and alpine strawberries – so these make a good choice to start.
- blackberries
- cranberries
- honeyberry
- gooseberry
- blueberries
- alpine strawberries
Keep your soil moist but not soggy to avoid damping off of seedlings, particularly if the weather is cool. Since water doesn’t evaporate as quickly as it does in full sunlight, you may not need to water as often. Make sure to follow the packet directions and don’t plant too early in the season!
Plant in well-drained soil. Dig soil at least a foot deep and add about a six inch layer of well-rotted sifted compost before sowing your seeds. Most plants are unlikely to thrive if planted directly under large trees unless the soil is dug in pockets between tree roots and covered with a thick layer of well-rotted compost.
When you thin or transplant your plants to their final spacing, plant them no closer than recommended on the seed packet, or slightly farther apart to allow some air to circulate around the plants.
If you are growing seedlings in flats, choose a location with as much light as possible for strong plants better able to withstand transplanting. Partial shade is a good place to harden off seedlings grown in a greenhouse or under grow lights indoors as they can more gradually adjust to outdoor growing conditions and don’t evaporate moisture as quickly as they would in full sun.