Foo - Gardeners...shade vegetables?

I've got a couple dozen square feet in the back of the yard, where the landlord dumped a bunch of dirt from grading part of the lawn around the house where drainage was poor. Over the last few years I've been dumping compost there, so it amounts to a patch of reasonably dark soil. It's directly underneath the canopies of two large pines, so it's shaded most of the day.

As the yard is already a mess there, I'd like to plant some vegetables in it so I can have some fresh stuff to snack on this summer/fall. What grows well in the shade?

Try lettuce and other green leafy veggies: http://www.coopext.colostate.edu/4DMG/VegFruit/vegshady.htm

Vegetables (http://www.inthegardenonline.com/picks_10vegforshadeC21.htm)

The above shows top ten shade growing vegetables.

Mostly leafy type. I would suggest to try and grow whatever you like the most and see if it will grow. I planted some Blueberry bushes on the north side of the house, least amount of sun. They said it needed full sun, but I was more after the shrubs than the fruit. Dad planted his in a text book fashion, full sun, exact mixture of soil, drip water system. I had twice the amount of berries that he did. So, just try what you like to eat.

Pine needles are very acidic. So pick the veggies that do well in acidic soil. And if you can get away with it try to trim the branches to get as much light in as you can.

Azaleas would do great there if you cannot grow veggies.

You could try growing rhubarb, as well. You are working with a difficult area, lacking in sun, acidic soil, and possibly dryer than you think (the tree roots probably keep it dry). But try the leafy vegetables to see if you can get anything to grow.

East Hill

Vegetables (http://www.inthegardenonline.com/picks_10vegforshadeC21.htm)

The above shows top ten shade growing vegetables.

Mostly leafy type. I would suggest to try and grow whatever you like the most and see if it will grow. I planted some Blueberry bushes on the north side of the house, least amount of sun. They said it needed full sun, but I was more after the shrubs than the fruit. Dad planted his in a text book fashion, full sun, exact mixture of soil, drip water system. I had twice the amount of berries that he did. So, just try what you like to eat.

Pine needles are very acidic. So pick the veggies that do well in acidic soil. And if you can get away with it try to trim the branches to get as much light in as you can.

Azaleas would do great there if you cannot grow veggies.

exactly. Peppers are great in acidic soil, because they're really be nice and hot.

I'm planting my garden next month. I just started a new batch of compost with grass clippings and oak leaves mulched up.

Thanks all...I was already thinking leafy. I'm going to give peas, radishes and maybe beans a try, because they're easy to snack on. I might throw in a rhubarb as well. I was hoping carrots would work, but it doesn't sound promising. Of course, seeds are cheap, so I might plant some anyways.

I already figured the soil would be relatively acidic, although the soil in this spot was mostly moved from a fully lit area just two years ago, so it shouldn't be too bad...and lime is cheap.

Our summers are too short and cool already--no peppers in the shade. Also, you have to watch out for different viruses (blights, etc), often wet areas the culprit. Check out Territorial Seeds; see if they have an 800# you can call, ask for recommendations.

I've got a couple dozen square feet in the back of the yard, where the landlord dumped a bunch of dirt from grading part of the lawn around the house where drainage was poor. Over the last few years I've been dumping compost there, so it amounts to a patch of reasonably dark soil. It's directly underneath the canopies of two large pines, so it's shaded most of the day.

As the yard is already a mess there, I'd like to plant some vegetables in it so I can have some fresh stuff to snack on this summer/fall. What grows well in the shade?

Psilocybe baeocystis

Mushrooms are a healthy snack, aren't they?

Psilocybe baeocystis

Mushrooms are a healthy snack, aren't they?

I thought that Psilocybe baeocystis grew in the open? But, it would certainly grow in pine needles :p .

East Hill

Problem is, Amanitas Ocreata also grows at the base of pine trees. If you're doing that, go for good old Psilocybe Cubensis. Very easy to identify.

Problem is, Amanitas Ocreata also grows at the base of pine trees. If you're doing that, go for good old Psilocybe Cubensis. Very easy to identify.

I don't see it as a problem. The Destroying Angels will keep you from getting return visits from uneducated crop theives.

Thanks all...I was already thinking leafy. I'm going to give peas, radishes and maybe beans a try, because they're easy to snack on. I might throw in a rhubarb as well. I was hoping carrots would work, but it doesn't sound promising. Of course, seeds are cheap, so I might plant some anyways.

I already figured the soil would be relatively acidic, although the soil in this spot was mostly moved from a fully lit area just two years ago, so it shouldn't be too bad...and lime is cheap.

Peas and beans do much better in sun typically. I was thinking maybe endives?

cannibis grows pretty well in the shade :rolleyes:

Thanks all...I was already thinking leafy. I'm going to give peas, radishes and maybe beans a try, because they're easy to snack on. I might throw in a rhubarb as well. I was hoping carrots would work, but it doesn't sound promising. Of course, seeds are cheap, so I might plant some anyways.

I already figured the soil would be relatively acidic, although the soil in this spot was mostly moved from a fully lit area just two years ago, so it shouldn't be too bad...and lime is cheap.

Carrots are tough because to grow really well they need deep, stone free soil. Unless you grow the stubby ones...

But, seeds are cheap, and if what you plant doesn't grow well, you can eliminate that from future plantings.

East Hill

Even the stubby carrots need pretty deep soil. Mine all failed in the indoor garden because my planters weren't deep enough.

Even the stubby carrots need pretty deep soil. Mine all failed in the indoor garden because my planters weren't deep enough.


Even the ones that are only a few inches long? Wow, I didn't realise that.

Maybe just stick with those mushrooms, eh?

East Hll

Even the ones that are only a few inches long? Wow, I didn't realise that.

Maybe just stick with those mushrooms, eh?

East Hll

I've had much better luck with my tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers. I'm not planting mushrooms (shiitake and oyster varieties) until the cold snap is over and I can leave them on my porch.
Who needs to worry about shade plants when you have grow lights?

http://images.tribe.net/tribe/upload/photo/9a4/7c4/9a47c424-b656-41b5-913b-3fc174f16538

I use that same clamp light with a plant bulb over my palm. I only have a couple of tomato plants started right now, but I have plenty of rosemary, basil, catnip, oregano, and chives.

I think iamlucky13 wants to utilise some unused garden space, but you are giving me some ideas...

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k317/East_Hill/IMG_2025.jpg

I think some mushrooms in the stone walk next to the house might be a very good idea this year.

By the way, in case anyone would like to know--I built all the stone work myself...:D .

Thanks! I believe I will think this over.

East Hill

I think iamlucky13 wants to utilise some unused garden space, but you are giving me some ideas...

I think some mushrooms in the stone walk next to the house might be a very good idea this year.

By the way, in case anyone would like to know--I built all the stone work myself...:D .

Thanks! I believe I will think this over.

East Hill

Check out Fungi Perfecti for mushroom plug spawn. It's probably the easiest way to grow any of the farmable edibles.

Vegetables (http://www.inthegardenonline.com/picks_10vegforshadeC21.htm)

The above shows top ten shade growing vegetables.

Mostly leafy type. I would suggest to try and grow whatever you like the most and see if it will grow. I planted some Blueberry bushes on the north side of the house, least amount of sun. They said it needed full sun, but I was more after the shrubs than the fruit. Dad planted his in a text book fashion, full sun, exact mixture of soil, drip water system. I had twice the amount of berries that he did. So, just try what you like to eat.

Pine needles are very acidic. So pick the veggies that do well in acidic soil. And if you can get away with it try to trim the branches to get as much light in as you can.

Azaleas would do great there if you cannot grow veggies.

That link is wrong on one count. Tomatos will grow in hte shade. Their source goes back to the rainforests of South America. However it has to get hot enough for the fruit to set. Where the OP is this may well not happen in the shade. If you want to give it a try go with cherry tomotoes They have hte best chance of setting fruit.

Check out Fungi Perfecti for mushroom plug spawn. It's probably the easiest way to grow any of the farmable edibles.

I'll do that, thanks!

East Hill

I think iamlucky13 wants to utilise some unused garden space, but you are giving me some ideas...

http://i91.photobucket.com/albums/k317/East_Hill/IMG_2025.jpg

I think some mushrooms in the stone walk next to the house might be a very good idea this year.

By the way, in case anyone would like to know--I built all the stone work myself...:D .

Thanks! I believe I will think this over.

East Hill

Looks great. You do good work.

Looks great. You do good work.

Thank you...it was hard work and I'm not sure I would ever want to do it again, but it was a nice feeling of accomplishment when I finished!

East Hill

Alrighty...followup question:

I'm thinking peppers and tomatoes on the patio, which has direct sun most of the day. How large of a pot should I use for each?

Clean air gardening (http://www.cleanairgardening.com/totuupdotofl.html)
Grape vine gardening (http://www.gardengrapevine.com/TomatoUpsideDown.html)


I would say a gallon to 2 gallon should be fine. The above links show some neat ideals. They are upside down hanging tomato planters.