Vegetables that require less sunshine

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by silu, Jan 25, 2016.

  1. silu

    silu gardening easy...hmmm

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2010
    Messages:
    3,682
    Gender:
    Female
    Location:
    Igloo
    Ratings:
    +8,083
    I had hoped to increase my veg patch considerably BUT I have given in to the nagging from my family that I'll kill myself if I do even more in the garden than I already am!
    My plans have now changed (probably for the best altho I hate to admit it:)) and I will make do with the veg growing area I already have plus will grow some veg in amongst my substantial herbaceous borders. My question is which if any of the veg I intend to grow will be relatively happy being in shady areas as now not all I want to grow will be in full sun.
    I will be growing the following (not including what I will grow in the greenhouse).Peas, Mange Tout, Broad Beans, French Beans, Carrots, Parsnips, Beetroot, Onions (both sets and from seed) Leeks, Cauliflower (this could be completely hopeless but going to give them a go) Sweetcorn (grow some in the greenhouse as well).Radish, Spring Onions and Lettuce. Which of the forgoing will be less affected by lack of sunlight? Hope someone can give me the best options, thanks.
     
  2. "M"

    "M" Total Gardener

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2012
    Messages:
    18,607
    Location:
    The Garden of England
    Ratings:
    +31,885
    I can vouch for lettuce (and spinach!) both of which I grew last summer against the fence on the patio which gets NO sun at all!
     
    • Informative Informative x 1
    • Phil A

      Phil A Guest

      Ratings:
      +0
      Sweetcorn is a C4 Plant so it's best grown in full sun. The others are C3 plants so can't photosynthesis in the midday sun, so as long as they get a bit of sun in the early morning and later afternoon then it shouldn't reduce the yield too much :fingers crossed:
       
      • Informative Informative x 2
      • silu

        silu gardening easy...hmmm

        Joined:
        Oct 20, 2010
        Messages:
        3,682
        Gender:
        Female
        Location:
        Igloo
        Ratings:
        +8,083
        Wow you live and learn @Zigs . I presumed, wrongly that most of my veg would sulk. This is great news, many thanks. @M I had forgotten to add Spinach to my list of what I will be growing so very useful. I grew Swiss Chard last year. OMG I could have stocked Tesco, Morrisons and Sainsbury with it and only my husband liked the damn stuff so that is off my list and Spinach on instead.
         
        • Funny Funny x 1
        • Friendly Friendly x 1
        • "M"

          "M" Total Gardener

          Joined:
          Aug 11, 2012
          Messages:
          18,607
          Location:
          The Garden of England
          Ratings:
          +31,885
          Did you grow the chard in a shady spot?
          I might be tempted to give it a go.
           
        • Phil A

          Phil A Guest

          Ratings:
          +0
          It's a trade off between drying out and photosynthesis, as the sun heats the plants up the stomata (breathing holes in the leaves) close, photosynthesis can only carry on till the CO2 remaining in the leaves is used up, after that it shuts down till it cools down again :)

          Sweetcorn can use the sun right thru the day though :SUNsmile:
           
          • Informative Informative x 2
          • silu

            silu gardening easy...hmmm

            Joined:
            Oct 20, 2010
            Messages:
            3,682
            Gender:
            Female
            Location:
            Igloo
            Ratings:
            +8,083
            I grew it in both sun and shade. To be honest a friend gave me a packet of seed and knowing sweet FA about Swiss Chard I sowed the lot. It came up like Cress and so it was planted all over the place both in sun and not. It probably grew a little better in sun but was fine in shady areas too. It is STILL growing. It didn't bat an eyelid at some fairly low temperatures that we had recently and the only thing which has stopped it taking over the whole garden is Deer like it. They have hovered up the vast majority of it down to the ground. I'd like to say the Deer have just kept to eating the Chard.....no, most of my Camellias are now both leaf and budless, (insert many swear words of your choosing), and I'll hardly need to prune my Roses and various other shrubs. I wouldn't mind quite so much if we'd had a really hard winter but we flaming haven't so far. Anybody got a gun?:gaah:
             
            • Friendly Friendly x 1
            • clueless1

              clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

              Joined:
              Jan 8, 2008
              Messages:
              17,778
              Gender:
              Male
              Location:
              Here
              Ratings:
              +19,596
              I've grown chard (and leaf beet, which is often called chard but isn't) in a fairly shady spot. It did very well. I also tried It in my south facing front garden that gets all the sun. It failed miserably. Simplycouldn't get enough to drink no matter how much I watered it.
               
              • Informative Informative x 1
              • "M"

                "M" Total Gardener

                Joined:
                Aug 11, 2012
                Messages:
                18,607
                Location:
                The Garden of England
                Ratings:
                +31,885
                • Friendly Friendly x 2
                • Like Like x 1
                • clueless1

                  clueless1 member... yep, that's what I am:)

                  Joined:
                  Jan 8, 2008
                  Messages:
                  17,778
                  Gender:
                  Male
                  Location:
                  Here
                  Ratings:
                  +19,596
                  I might grow some again this year. I'd forgotten about leaf beet and chard.
                   
                • silu

                  silu gardening easy...hmmm

                  Joined:
                  Oct 20, 2010
                  Messages:
                  3,682
                  Gender:
                  Female
                  Location:
                  Igloo
                  Ratings:
                  +8,083
                  If anybody would like to pop over and dig mine up you'd be more than welcome. I'm sure they wouldn't mind being transplanted, they've put up with just about everything else without batting an eyelid.
                   
                  • Funny Funny x 2
                  • Like Like x 1
                  Loading...

                  Share This Page

                  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                    Dismiss Notice