Shade Tolerant Vegetables for Home Gardens
Growing vegetables in a shady garden can be a challenge, but it’s not impossible. There are a number of vegetables that can tolerate and even thrive in partial shade, making them ideal for gardens with limited sunlight.
Leafy Greens
Leafy greens are a staple in many gardens, and they can be grown in partial shade with relative ease. Some good choices for shade tolerant leafy greens include:
- Lettuce
- Arugula
- Sorrel
- Spinach
These greens need three to four hours of sun per day, and they will appreciate extra water during hot weather.
Cooking Greens
Cooking greens, such as chard, kale, and mustard greens, are another good option for shady gardens. These greens actually grow slower and more tender in afternoon shade. They may not get as large as their full-sun counterparts, but the smaller baby leaves require less cooking and are often sweeter.
Root Vegetables
Most root vegetables can get by on four to five hours of sunshine per day, but they will grow more slowly and take longer to reach full size. Some good choices for shade tolerant root vegetables include:
- Beets
- Carrots
- Potatoes
- Radishes
- Turnips
You can harvest some of these vegetables, like carrots and potatoes, while they are still small and sweet. You can also harvest beet and turnip greens while you’re waiting for their bulbs to fill out.
Herbs
Many culinary herbs are fast growers and can tolerate partial shade. Some good choices for shade tolerant herbs include:
- Chives
- Cilantro
- Mint
- Oregano
- Parsley
These herbs will do fine with only about three hours of sun per day.
Peas and Beans
Peas and green beans are cool-season vegetables that can also tolerate partial shade. They need some sun (about four to five hours per day) to produce flowers and pods, but they tend to fade out as the temperature warms. Planting them in a cool shady spot will lengthen your growing season.
Tips for Growing Vegetables in Partial Shade
Here are a few tips for growing vegetables in partial shade:
- Choose the right vegetables. Not all vegetables can tolerate shade, so it’s important to choose the right ones.
- Plant in well-drained soil. Vegetables that grow in shade need well-drained soil to prevent root rot.
- Water regularly. Vegetables in shade need more water than those in full sun, especially during hot weather.
- Fertilize regularly. Vegetables in shade need more fertilizer than those in full sun to make up for the lack of sunlight.
- Mulch around plants. Mulch helps to retain moisture and suppress weeds, both of which are important for vegetables in shade.
With a little care and attention, you can successfully grow a variety of vegetables in your shady garden.