You don’t have a sunny spot in your home garden – that’s no problem. There are many shade-loving leafy greens, such as spinach, lettuce and kale, and root crops such as beets and carrots. Read on to find out which vegetables are right for your shade garden and what basic care they need.
Vegetables that prefer shade
Beetroot
Beetroot is a wonderful and healthy crop that can tolerate shade and sub-zero temperatures. Plant beets in early spring, as soon as the soil is workable. They prefer well-drained and compost-rich loose soil. Beets can be harvested at seven to nine weeks when their crowns protrude 2.5-5 cm above the soil line.
Beetroot needs four to six hours of light per day. Water it when the topsoil is dry. Be careful not to over-water to prevent the plant from rotting or becoming diseased.
Easy-to-grow vegetables to seed the garden with
Lettuce
Growing lettuce in the shade has a key benefit: it extends its life by keeping its roots cool. Planted in spring and fall – this vegetable does best in loose, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. You can sow the lettuce in a pot or in the garden 6mm deep and 2.5cm apart between individual plants. You need to cover lightly with soil.
Lettuce can be harvested at all stages of its growth, from small leaves to fully mature heads. It is best to pick the leaves in the morning while they are still moist and the temperatures are cool. They need light four to six hours a day. Because it has shallow roots, lettuce needs constant watering.
Grandma’s secret recipe for a bountiful harvest of vegetables in a garden
Spinach
Spinach is rich in vitamins, and the shade allows it to grow faster and helps reduce plant wilting. This way the taste will not become bitter. It is best to plant it in late winter to early spring in well-drained soil. Mulch will help retain moisture and keep plants cool in warmer climates. Continue sowing every two to three weeks for a continuous harvest.
As soon as you notice small leaves you can harvest or wait until maturity. Plants need four to six hours of light a day. Keep them moist but not soggy. The risk of wilting increases if the plant is stressed by drought.
Bok choy
Bok choy is a fast-growing vegetable that grows well in the shade. Plant in spring or late summer. Prefers moist, well-drained soil and can be grown in deep containers and garden beds.
It needs four to six hours of daily sunlight and constant moisture. Water when topsoil is dry.
