Talkback: Growing veg in shade
in Talkback
Sorrel is lovely crop to grow in shade, even dry shade. In my garden it grows under a clematis montana which grows under an ornamental cherry. It requires no real attention and produces tangy, lemony, tender, heart shaped salad leaves that are delicious mixed with other leaves in a salad. It also provides good ground cover so keeps weeds away. What more could you ask?
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Sorrel also has fantastic light and airy flowers, great in any border or veg patch.
I will also grow onions and shallots potatoes, runner beans, courgette and braod beans plus the odd little bit of salad too.
I have a lot of shade in my garden and find that Raspberries work well. I'm trying Loganberries too which are meant to cope.
A lot of my herbs seem to be reasonably tolerant: Sage, Rosemary, Marjoram and Mint are all easy going though I wouldn't try Thyme or Basil.
Agree with Smauel and Pink Heather about Sorrel - try blood veined sorrel too as its foliage is really attractive. Also, lettuces as alternatives to all that weird yellowy heuchera plant - at least you can eat lettuces and can get some really pretty ones like green or red salad bowl. Red mustard is also a nice salad crops with pretty leaves.
I grow a lot of globe artichokes in my garden too - they are supposed to want a lot of sunshine, but they seem to do OK in my north facing plot where they get some sunshine, seem to come back happily each year, but are now getting ready for replacing. They do much better than cardoons and I think they are nicer looking too - more dramatic foliage. They are architectural, growing so tall, and left to stand over the winter, the flower heads look spectacular when covered with frost. Edible, ornamental, add height to your border.... what more could you ask for?