Make the most of shady porches and limited garden real estate with edibles that thrive on the shady side.
In fact, some vegetables benefit from a bit of afternoon shade in hot southern gardens.
Soil dries slower in theshade than sunny beds, and often requires less frequent irrigation.
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The soil also warms more slowly in spring which may delay sowing dates as compared to sunnier sites.
Herbs often grow leggier in shady sites, but they will still carry their distinctive flavors.
Shade also helps prevent wilting as temperatures rise.Lettucecan get by with just a few hours of direct sun.
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Consider growing leaf varieties rather than heading varieties.
Spinach
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Spinachis another crop that benefits from growing in partial shade.
Bolting is the process of flowering and setting seeds, which is triggered by increasing day lengths.
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For the greatest success, look for bolt-resistant varieties.
Start by picking the largest, outer leaves.
The inner leaves will continue to grow until they reach a desirable size.
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Provide a few hours of direct sun per day for optimal growth.
Swiss chard is well suited to shady planting beds, as its colorful foliage combines beautifully with flowers.
Like spinach and kale, Swiss Chard continues to grow new leaves after the initial harvest.
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Arugula
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Arugula is a fabulous cool-season green to grow at home.
Harvest leaves when they are still young, before they develop a bitter flavor.
A sizeable crop can be harvested with as little as 3 to 4 hours of direct sun.
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Many gardeners like to sow seeds at seven- to ten-day intervals for a continuous supply.
The flavor of radishes is associated with temperature, with cooler weather producing milder-tasting radishes.
Collards
Collardsare among the most popular garden vegetables of the South.
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Plants tolerate partial shade but may be slower to produce a crop.
Like arugula, this cool-season crop can be grown beneath a leafless tree canopy in spring or fall.
In fact, partial shade can help delay bolting (flowering) of this cool-season crop.
A location with morning sun and afternoon shade is ideal.
Pak choi can be harvested at various stages of maturity.
Harvest the entire head at once or one leaf at a time for a continuous production.
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Beets
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Beets are packed with folate and other vitamins.
Green Onions
The tender stems of green onions are an essential kitchen ingredient.
Green onions benefit from afternoon shade in hot southern gardens.
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Carrots
When it comes togrowing carrots, soil is often more of a limiting factor than sunlight.
This can make planting under trees and in other shady locations a challenge.
If suitable ground space is limited, consider growing carrots in a grow bag or deep container.
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Consider planting turnips in shade if you are primarily growing them for their nutrient-rich leaves.
Turnips leaves are harvested and used much like mustard or collard greens.
Turnip greens are more tender and have a more delicate texture than collards, but a sharper taste.
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Parsley
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Parsley performs best under partial shade in southern gardens.
Shade protects plants from the hot sun and helps conserve soil moisture.
Italian flat-leafed parsley tends to tolerate heat better than curly varieties.
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Plants also fare well when they receive bright filtered sunlight all day.
Mint
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Seasoned gardeners know that mint grows like a weed.
It is a perennial plant that spreads by rhizome (underground stem).
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Most gardeners choose to grow it in a container to keep it from spreading through the garden.
But if sunlight is limited, fear not.
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