Are you planning a vegetable garden this year? One of your priorities should be to choose a sunny location for your garden. But that can be a challenge, especially if your property is small or wooded. Don’t give up, though, if you find yourself in this predicament because there are a number of vegetables that grow in shade, especially light or partial shade.
If you’re unsure how much sun your location gets, my post How to Track Shadows So You Can Choose the Best Spot For Your Garden will be a great help to you in mapping your property and determining the amount of sun each area receives.
Degrees of Shade in Gardening
Light Shade – this is defined as an area which received 3 to 5 hours of direct sun in the summer. 5 hours of morning sun, however, is a lot different than 5 hours of hot, afternoon sun. When considering plants for light shade, keep in mind whether the plant prefers cooler temperatures, or whether it would be happy with that harsh afternoon sun.
Partial Shade – this area would receive approximately 2 hours of sun each day. Again, keep in mind the time of day that the area receives sun when choosing plants.
Full Shade – an area that receives less than an hour of sun a day would be considered full shade.
Dense Shade – this area would receive no direct sun at all. Very few vegetables would be happy with these conditions.
Vegetables That Grow in Shade
When considering vegetables to plant in your shady areas, keep in mind that even the most shade tolerant vegetables will want some sun. And while there are many herbs or vegetables which do not require full sun, any area with full or dense shade will likely be too shady. Many vegetables will be happy in areas with partial or light shade, however.
Another factor to consider is your growing zone. The more north your location, the more sun your vegetables will require.
I’ve seen a lot of lists of herbs and vegetables for growing in shade. The lists vary, but I’ve compiled my list based on research done at Cornell University for the most accurate information.
The following are best grown in light to partial shade, if full sun is not available. Keep in mind that in some cases, shade will delay maturity or reduce yields.
Arugula – requires full sun or partial shade.
Asparagus – requires full sun or partial shade.
Beets – requires full sun or partial shade.
Bok choy – requires full sun or partial shade.
Broccoli – can tolerate light shade but will slow maturity.
Broccoli raab – can tolerate light shade but will slow maturity.
Brussels sprouts – can tolerate light shade but will slow maturity.
Cabbage – can tolerate light shade but will slow maturity. Light shade can be beneficial in warm weather.
Carrots – will tolerate very light shade.
Cauliflower – can tolerate light shade but will slow maturity. Light shade can be beneficial in warm weather.
Celeriac – requires full sun or partial shade.
Celery – requires full sun or partial shade.
Chinese cabbage – requires full sun or partial shade.
Claytonia – requires full sun or partial shade.
Collard greens – prefers full sun in spring, but can benefit from light shade during hot weather.
Egyptian onion – requires full sun or partial shade.
Endive, common – requires full sun or partial shade, and benefits from partial shade in hot weather.
Horseradish – requires full sun or light shade.
Kale – prefers full sun in spring and fall, but can benefit from light shade during hot weather.
Kohlrabi – requires full sun or partial shade.
Leeks – requires full sun or partial shade.
Lettuce – requires full sun or partial shade.
Mizuna – requires full sun or partial shade.
Mustard greens – requires full sun or partial shade, and benefits from partial shade in hot weather.
Orach – requires full sun or partial shade.
Parsnip – requires full sun or partial shade. Yields best in full sun.
Peas – requires full sun or partial shade.
Pole beans – can tolerate partial shade but will reduce yield.
Radicchio – requires full sun or partial shade, and benefits from partial shade in hot weather.
Radish – requires full sun or partial shade.
Rhubarb – requires full sun or partial shade.
Rutabaga – requires full sun or partial shade.
Shallots – requires full sun or partial shade.
Spinach – requires full sun or partial shade.
Swiss Chard – prefers full sun early in the season, part shade in summer when it’s warm.
Turnip – requires full sun or partial shade.
Herbs That Grow in Shade
Calendula – requires full sun or partial shade.
Chives – requires full sun or partial shade.
Fennel – requires full sun or light shade.
Lemon balm – requires full sun or partial shade.
Lovage – requires full sun or partial shade.
Mint – requires full sun or partial shade.
Parsley – requires full sun or light shade.
Sage – requires full sun or light shade.
Sorrel – requires full sun or partial shade.
More Organic Gardening Posts You’ll Love
7 Great Benefits of Common Lawn and Garden Weeds
The Easy Way to Improve Soil Fertility
Using Wood Chips for Mulch: What to Use and What to Avoid
6 Simple Steps to Planning a Vegetable Garden Each Year
Lasagna Gardening: an Easy and Productive Way to Garden
To learn how to build a garden that builds healthy soil, be sure to check out my eBook The Art of Gardening: Building Your Soil.Â
You really can become a better gardener, and you really can grow healthy, nourishing produce. It’s all about the soil! Click here to learn more.
Thank you for visiting Learning And Yearning. May "the LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace." Num 6:24-26
DG says
I’m an experienced gardener…this type of listing is great !!.. especially for the beginners …
..takes out alot of guest work for growing..in the right light…
Just find the sweet planting spot..dig in… and…
find out what’s “growing on”..!