Even in shady conditions, you can bask in great garden harvests if you choose the right crops and make a few easy adjustments.
When considering which crops to grow in shady areas, think of them in terms of leaves and roots. Crops we grow for their leaves (kale, lettuce, spinach) and those we grow for their roots (beets, carrots, turnips) will do fairly well in partially shady conditions. (The crops we grow for their fruits — such as eggplants, peppers and tomatoes — really do need at least six hours of full sun per day.)
To learn more about how to grow crops in shady gardens, check out Best Vegetables to Grow in the Shade.
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|
Crop |
Shade Notes |
Growing Tips |
| Arugula | At least three to four hours of sun per day. | Arugula welcomes shade, as this crop is prone to bolting as soon as the weather turns warm if in full sun. |
| Asian greens | At least two hours of sun per day. | Asian greens such as bok choi (also spelled “pac choi” and “pak choi”), komatsuna and tatsoi will grow wonderfully with a couple hours of sun plus some bright shade or ambient light. |
| Chard | If you grow chard mainly for its crisp stalks, you will need at least five hours of sun per day; if you grow it mainly for the tender baby leaves, three to four hours of sun per day will be enough. | Expect chard grown in partial sade to be quite a bit smaller than that grown in full sun. Baby chard leaves are excellent cooked or served raw in salads. |
| Culinary herbs |
