Vegetables That Grow in Shade

Not to throw shade at the gardening world, but many so-called pros will tell you that you can’t do anything without a full-sun yard space. However, this is far from the case and loads of veggies grow in shade, so you can produce food and design a garden even if you aren’t blessed with constant sunshine in your yard.

Finding the Right Space for Shade-Loving Vegetables

To start your veggie garden, check your yard at different times of the day, gauging the sun’s angle and how it affects your space. Some spots will get lots of sun in the morning, for example, whilst others will bask in the sun’s glory for certain hours and those hours only.

Don’t panic if you don’t have this down to the second, as you can start with vegetable seeds in outdoor pots and move them around depending on the sun’s coverage.

Choosing The Right Veggies That Grow in Shade

Luckily, many vegetables that grow in shade can be harvested sooner than long-season crops. Focus on leafy green vegetables with large leaves to soak up any available light with lettuce, spinach, and kale great crops to start with.

Herbs are also a hardy option and can handle some low-light conditions, particularly parsley, chives, and coriander. By harvesting the outer large leaves on your salad greens and picking the tips of your herbs, the harvest can be staggered which means you get the most out of your crop!

While variety is the spice of life when it comes to veggies that grow in shade, avoid crops that need lots of heat and energy from the sun to ripen fruits. Such crops include large heirloom tomatoes, eggplants, cucumbers, and zucchinis.

For gardens where the ground is shaded, choose climbing plants that can reach towards the sun. Climbing beans are great in spring and summer and snowpeas are wonderful in autumn and winter, particularly up a tall trellis or wall.

Starting Seeds of Shade Loving Vegetables

To give yourself a better chance of success, start your seeds inside a windowsill greenhouse kit. This will help your seeds germinate much quicker because shady areas tend to be cooler than other parts of the yard. If you can put the greenhouse in an area with sunlight until your seedlings are ready to transplant, it will also help kick-start their growth.

Seedlings that are germinated without any light will quickly become very leggy and pale, making them quite fragile. So, once you’ve established some healthy seedlings, transplant them into their final growing spot, which will be somewhere in your yard.

Keep an Eye on Your Watering Schedule

For veggies that grow in shade, be mindful of your watering schedule, as dark areas can easily become too damp. This moist environment can lead to fungal and disease issues for your precious plants, so give them a little extra room to increase airflow and try watering the soil only and not the leaves.

Tree Considerations for Vegetables That Grow in Shade

If you plan to plant trees in your backyard, consider deciduous varieties that offer more light during autumn and winter such as Japanese Maples or Liquidambar. These also can provide valuable material for making mulch for your garden, which is a bonus.

If your yard already has evergreen trees, try pruning the lower, bulkier branches to open up more space. However, when dealing with large trees such as eucalyptus and pines, it’s best to consult a qualified arborist before you start chopping.