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fruit and vegetables in semi shade

Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
in Plants

Our veg patch is large and oblong in shape. A very tall sycamore tree overshadows one end, meaning that not only is the soil in shade during the first few hours of daylight but is also quite dry.  However once the sun moves around the shade lifts and the sun beats down on the soil.

Could you suggest suitable fruit or veg. to grow in these conditions please?

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  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,107

    I knew I'd seen a list somewhere!

    http://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/plant-inspiration/10-best-vegetable-crops-for-shade/ 

    http://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/plant-inspiration/10-best-fruit-crops-for-shade/ 

    I'd noticed it because our new veg plot is similar - I decided on its location when we moved in 10 years ago and it was in full sun, but now we've finally got round to it, next door's oak has got enormous.

    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713

    What a helpful list of veg and fruit for shade LG the L - thanks so much for pointing me in the right direction.  I have copied it down - we will discuss and plan for next year.  Brilliant!

  • LG_LG_ Posts: 4,107

    Good luck!

    I'm planning on rhubarb, raspberries, gooseberries and strawberries, plus salads, broccoli and leeks. But also runner and French beans, peas and tomatoes (the latter in pots in the sunniest bit of the garden). I grew French beans last year quite close to where the new beds are, in a slightly shadier spot, and still got a decent crop.

    'If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.'
    - Cicero
  • raisingirlraisingirl Posts: 6,641

    Rhubarb wouldn't like GD's dry soil - happy in shade though.

    There are also quite a few herbs that will grow in some shade - sweet cicely, mint, lemon balm for a few examples.

    Last edited: 27 April 2017 09:07:16

    “Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first” 
  • YviestevieYviestevie Posts: 7,040

    What a coincidence, Ive just posted on Forkers that I'm thinking of creating a couple of raised beds for fruit and veg but the only place I could put them would be in a fairly shady area.  Are you reading my mind GDimage

    Thanks for the list LGtheL it will be useful if I decide to go ahead.image

    Hi from Kingswinford in the West Midlands
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713

    Yes, it is a useful list with a good choice, and obviously others have semi/shade veg patches too.  Always planning ahead as gardeners aren't we Yvie? When the sun moves around later in the day the shade goes too, but for the first part of the morning this area is shady.  Having said that our neighbours are planning to put 4 new 2 story houses in their back garden which overlooks our veg patch, so we may have even more shade there in the future & no privacy.

  • PeggyTXPeggyTX Posts: 556

    Yes, thanks so much fro posting those two links, LG the L.  I have mostly shade in my gardens and am happy to learn there is edible crop potential for this yard yet.

    My low-carb recipe site: https://buttoni.wordpress.com/
  • Guernsey Donkey2Guernsey Donkey2 Posts: 6,713
    Where does the time go - I can hardly believe it is now over 2 years since I posted this question.  As an update to this shady spot in our veg patch as recommended on this link LG suggested I did plant some new blackcurrant bushes and they produced approx 20 blackcurrants between them - I put it down to the age of the bushes but decided to move them into a more sunny part of the veg patch anyway.
    I bought 30 strawberry plants which also produced less than 20 strawberries between them, so we moved those too and have had bowls of the fruit this year.  The Rhubarb crowns have done well in the shade, the beetroot I sowed for the past two years has produced a good crop too.
    The four new houses are now being built and once the roofs are in place one third of our veg patch will be in shade all day from the shadow they will cast, so with new houses and trees we really will have to come up with some more shade loving crops.  How do potatoes do in shade?  Would they be suitable to grow here?
  • mrtjformanmrtjforman Posts: 331
    aw bummer about the new houses. 
    I think your best bet is to stick with redcurrants and gooseberries, asparagus and rhubarb.
    Can't think of much else that does well in the shade. Maybe try a greatberry...
    I mention this one since it's on offer at https://www.yougarden.com/item-p-310093/greatberry-r-amelanchier-alnifolia-garden

    It might take years to mature but should do better in shade than most other fruit trees - I think - it might just all be marketing gimmick but at least they say it has a nice autumn foliage.


  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,671
    I have blackcurrants in the shade of an apple tree and they do quite well, also raspberries under the oak seem to be fine as long as they get extra water from a soaker hose.
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