So…while I still don’t have a community garden plot, I got a question by email from one of my closest friends in New York City, who just got access to a 3’x3’ plot of her very own in a community garden not far from her apartment. The thing is…it gets approximately two hours of sunlight a day.
These are the kinds of questions that stump me. I realize, especially as I talk to people growing things out here in California, how lucky I had it in Iowa. I had solid sun almost all day on my entire back yard, assuming it was a sunny-not-rainy day. I had topsoil that required almost no amendment whatsoever. Basically, we turned over the grass, threw things at the ground, and watched them turn into ridiculous acts of vegetability.
I did a little research on my friend’s behalf, and it sounds like leafy vegetables and certain herbs (not basil…never basil…) will hang in there in shady conditions, but most of the resources I found indicated that they considered shady conditions to be more along the lines of four to six hours of sunlight a day rather than two.
So what thoughts do all of you out there have that I could pass along? Those of you with shady gardens, what do you put in them? What works for you?
on May 11th, 2009 at 7:27 am
hm, maybe alpine strawberries? ours do pretty well in mostly shade.
on May 11th, 2009 at 9:20 am
We’ve got a few places like that in our yard. Things will grow there, just a bit more slowly. If it’s just edible’s they are looking for…. lettuce, strawberries, asparagus and raspberries are what we plant and harvest in the shade. Flowers is a whole nother list!
on May 11th, 2009 at 10:04 am
Two words: reflected light. I realize she may not have a whole lot of control over the color of the surfaces around her garden plot, but she should see what she can do to get white or light-colored surfaces to bounce whatever light there is back toward the garden. Mirrors would be even better. And remember that even if there isn’t as much light as the “authorities” say is required for a certain plant, that doesn’t mean it won’t grow at all. Maybe you get less of it than you would in ideal conditions, but you’ll probably still get *something.* Part of what sun-loving plants need is heat, and that should be available to some degree in partial shade if there is enough heat in surrounding areas. Well-amended soil should help make sure the plants don’t have two strikes against them. (As the director of a dance show I was in advised, when we were having rehearsals until 1am, “I know you’re not getting enough sleep, so please, please, EAT.”)
on May 11th, 2009 at 8:27 pm
Anita, that’s right…your strawberry plants look totally full and lush, so that must be OK.
Maggie, I think they’re looking for all edibles, so those are great suggestions. Thank you!
Zannie, that is all terrific advice — thank you for sharing, and I love the dance metaphor!
on May 11th, 2009 at 8:56 pm
Hi everyone,
I am the New York friend. Thanks for the wonderful advice. My boyfriend weeded the plot and took out the mint, violets, and evening primrose that were growing there. (A fellow gardener took the primrose plants to the “Living Museum” here in New York to be transplanted.) We added a few handfuls of manure into the dirt. We purchased seedlings at the farmers market, since we are getting a late start and put them in today – broccollini, lettuce, and kale. We’ll keep you posted.
Aleksandra
P.S. – Zannie – I love the idea of mirrors in the garden!! Maybe we could make some little garden sculptures with pieces of mirror in them.
on May 15th, 2009 at 11:46 am
Spinach and lettuce will do okay when the weather gets hot – the shade keeps them cool enough in summer to not bolt.
on May 15th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
I also agree with the strawberries. What about potatoes? Mine do better in the shade than in the sun. Also second the lettuce.
on May 15th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
I’ve successfully grown root vegetables (beets and carrots) and chard in areas with no direct sun at all, just bright shade. Sage, thyme, and dill will also be okay with just a couple of hours of direct sun. They might stretch towards the light though.
on May 18th, 2009 at 11:09 am
Don’t forget flowers can be eaten. Here’s a site listing some edible flowers..
http://whatscookingamerica.net/EdibleFlowers/EdibleFlowersMain.htm
on May 22nd, 2009 at 8:14 pm
Aleksandra can also buy a mirrored paper in craft stores and frame that out, that way she won’t have to worry about any cracking if it gets windy. Wish her good luck for me. Cheers!
on May 26th, 2009 at 6:11 am
Alex, I’m looking forward to hearing how it goes!
Katie, that’s true — the shade will keep them in greens much longer.
Greenphonebooth, interesting about the potatoes in the shade.
Fern, sage would be a great one…and it’s so pretty, to boot.
Gary, edible flowers rule.
Avis, mirrored paper is a brilliant idea!
on Jun 3rd, 2009 at 3:42 pm
Vegetables that are fruit (tomatoes, zucchini, cucumbers, beans, etc) need a lot more light than vegetables that are leaves (lettuce, cabbage, chard, etc) or roots (carrots, turnips).
Hence, you might have difficulty getting much of a yield of tomatoes, but lettuce will probably work. Strawberries like partial shade. Cherry tomatoes may do well compared to regular tomatoes, and herbs and aloe should grow well too.
Cukes can get overheated in full sun, so if they get morning sun they may do very well.
Lots of choices! Plant away.
on Jun 4th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Tatiana, I never thought of it quite like that, but you’re exactly right — that’s a great way of looking at it.
on Jun 5th, 2009 at 4:44 am
Definitely try the reflected light!
Pizza box lid wrapped in aluminum foil has really perked up my tomato plant that is growing in partial shade.
I cut a “path” out to the center of the box and slid it underneath.
I know it’s not going to be a huge producer (more of an experiment since I had an extra tomato plant) but it definitely seems to have had it’s benefits already.
Sticking with the leafy greens is definitely a better way to go, but the reflected light will help them as well.
Good luck!
on Jun 18th, 2009 at 12:11 am
DLA, I like the pizza box idea. Reuse/reduce/recycle!