Are there any vegetables that I can grow in the shade?

Question

In my backyard I have three Birch trees that shade a flower bed that I would love to grow vegetable in. Are there any that will grow in the shade? It get some sun, but not enough.

Answer 1

Yes, you can grow leafy vegetables such as lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, arugula, endive and radiccio. Beans, beets, broccoli, cabbage, kohlrabi, peas, potatoes, rhubarb and turnips will grow in light shade but will not produce as large a crop as plants growing in full sun.

Mint, sage, dill, oregano, borage, chamomile and several kinds of thyme grow well without much sun.

Vegetables should be planted in an east-west direction. As the sun passes overhead, all the plants will receive an equal amount of light. This is especially important when the plants grow to different heights.

Before you plant, take a walk around your Birch & watch how the sun hits some spots more than others. This will give you an idea of where to put the plants which require a little more sun than others. Don't be afraid to trim a few branches from your Birch to let in more dappled light to some areas because it will make a big difference.

You'll need to add some organic matter so there's not so much competition with the roots of the Birch for nutrients and moisture.

The foliage of your plants will stay wet longer in the shade than in sunny areas. To prevent disease problems caused by poor air circulation coupled with lower light levels, space plants farther apart in the shade ... providing more air movement around each individual plant. Also water in a way that avoids wetting the foliage, & trim some of the lower tree limbs to funnel breezes underneath the tree canopy... improving air circulation. Finally, try to plant the most disease-resistant varieties of vegetables available.
Good luck! Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Birch trees produce fairly light to intermediate shade so you might start with cool weather crops that get going before the tree leafs in spring. Lettuce, winter onions, spinach, radishes, well leafy greens in general. Mint, a few thymes might grow for you, oregano & sage definitely.
Plant those that need more sun closer to the drip line while placing shade tolerant plants closer to the trunk.
What you can't grow are the plants with fruit. This includes tomatoes, peppers, squash, peas, beans, or melons. I doubt basil will grow since it loves the heat.

Answer 3

I planted swiss chard with great success in winter. I planted it as close to the south as the garden would allow. It did great for 8 months giving us delicious chard I could use in a vegetable green drink with our juicer, or cook and serve with a little feta cheese. Delicious and soo healthy. My squash was further back and didn't do too well. They tend to get the white mold. Potatoes might work, too, although that may not be green enough, I wonder about yams. They are very nutritious.

Answer 4

You can try a low lying vegetable, like zucchini or squash, that doesn't require a ton of sunlight. Make sure you pay a little more attention to them due to the lower sunlight levels and try to ensure they aren't overwatered.

Answer 5

strawberries