veggies in the shade

[sue reeve]

I have a large apple tree in my garden which is shading my veg plot. Is there anything I can grow now in the shade of it?

[SarzWix]

Is the apple tree affecting the soil too (roots taking moisture etc)? If not, and you have a reasonable depth of soil, then leafy green veg should be ok there - salad leaves and lettuces, cabbages, kale, perhaps brussels. Most things which produce fruit; peas & beans, squash & cougettes, corn, tomatoes etc need sunshine to grow & ripen, so they would not be happy there. Some woodland type fruit could do okay there like blackberries & raspberries, especially if they get sunshine for part of the day.

[Tam]

The old rule is "fruit or root" needs sunshine and this link gives some suggested plantings : In the Garden Online - Colleen's Picks - Ten Vegetables You Can Grow in Shade

[Snadger]

I think I would add, rhubarb, mint and comfrey to the list!

[gojiberry]

I have planted cabbage and sprouts in the shade of a hedge. Don't know how they will do, but not worried as they were 'spare' plants and they are in the neighbours plot as he had nothing to put in there.

Ian

[Two_Sheds]

I have planted cabbage and sprouts in the shade of a hedge.

the shade won't bother them, but the lack of moisture might (the hedge will suck it all up).

Mulch the plants well with layers of newspaper after a good soaking.

[sue reeve]

Thanks for all those idea's. I would start planting salad seeds now if it weren't for the pouring rain.

[SlugLobber]

I'm glad you posted this, as I have a plot which only gets sun for about 3-4 hours a day and was about to post an almost identical thread! Off to follow Tam's link, now...