Crops which do least badly in shaded areas…..

[Rhys]

Charles

Our patch has a small area which gets too much shade due to a pre-existing apple tree (very productive so we won’t chop it down!) – it’s about 5-10% of the total area – and I’ve noticed this summer that growing radish there does much worse than in sunnier areas.

I was wondering if there are any summer/winter veg/herbs/spices/companions/manures which will do fine with relatively little direct sunlight (in the summer 4 – 5hrs a day but probably under 2hrs a day in winter), so we can plan that area most productively?

Thanks for any insights.

[charles]

You phrased the question rightly, saying “least badly” rather than “well” because shade does depress growth. The vegetables I would avoid growing in shade are those needing most warmth such as tomato, cucurbits and also potato so that its leaves stay drier, for less blight.

[devonstew]

How about asparagus?

[charles]

I noticed in my asparagus patch at Lower Farm how the row nearest to an apple tree was less productive. It still grew!

[jeni]

…seem to prefer the shady, rather than the sunny side of my courtyard at home, if that’s any help? I would be interested in any other suggestions, too, as I have a similar issue on my allotment. I was also wondering about wild garlic, as it grows in woods and I would love to try growing my own.

[Rhys]

My lettuce seem to do well in both parts – a 1lb lettuce from the sun and six in the shade needing to be harvested because they filled in all the space between them.

I was wondering about sticking a log with mushroom spawn on dowels stuck into it?

[Author]

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