4 min readWhen you picture vegetable beds flourishing during the summer, you’re likely imagining bright sunlight hitting those veggies and encouraging them to grow. And while sunlight is a friend to many vegetable varieties, not all of us are blessed with a full-sun yard. In fact, a lot of us have shaded yards, and you may believe that growing
vegetables just isn’t in the cards for you.
While it’s true that “fruiting crops” such as tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, and melons need at least eight hours of direct sunlight to thrive, as Resh Gala, founder of Hundred Tomatoes, LLC and author of Vegetable Gardening Made Easy, says, many leafy green vegetables, herbs, and cool-season crops can grow extremely well in partial shade. In fact, sun can be detrimental to these types of plants, causing them to “bolt,” meaning they’ll grow too tall and taste bitter.
Since growing plants in partial shade can be a bit different than a full-sun garden, Gala recommends being careful not to overwater them, allowing the top two to three inches of soil to dry out between waterings. If you do choose to plant heat-loving, fruiting crops beyond ones that are best for shade, Gala says that smaller varieties like cherry tomatoes, bush or pickling cucumbers, and patio-variety eggplants can survive in partial shade, since they don’t need as much energy to produce larger fruits. But if you really want to be successful with your partial-shade veggie garden, read on for these recommendations.
Lettuce
“Lettuce is one of the easiest vegetables to grow in the shade,” Gala says. “In fact, I’ve even grown lettuce on my covered deck, and it turned out so good. Lettuce is one of those few plants that truly dislikes growing in full sun, as it bolts very quickly and ends up tasting bitter and unpleasant.”
Arugula
Gala says that arugula grows very well with limited amounts of sunlight and is her top recommendation if you have a shady yard. “In fact, partial shade helps keep the soil moist and cool and delays bolting in warm weather,” she adds.
Kale
As an extremely cold-hardy plant (Gala says it can tolerate temperatures as low as 24 degrees Fahrenheit and even grow in snow), kale is extremely adaptable and can thrive in both full sun and partial shade. “While it will grow fuller and faster in a sunny location, you should certainly consider growing it in a shaded location if you like tender and sweeter kale leaves,” Gale says.
Swiss Chard
“Swiss chard is one of the most bolt-resistant plants that you can grow and can tolerate both full sun and partial shade,” Gala says. “My favorite varieties are Bright Lights and Peppermint Swiss Chard. This beautiful crop can be grown in spring, summer, fall, and mild winter, too. It belongs to the beetroot family and is grown for its edible leaves and stems that almost taste like celery.”
Basil
Another green plant that’ll do well in partial shade is basil. Gala says basil tends to prefer warmth and sunlight, but it can tolerate afternoon shade, especially in warmer climates. “In very hot climates, basil appreciates afternoon shade, especially during heat waves,” she says. “Protect it from the intense afternoon sun by growing it in the canopy of your tomato plants. It makes a great companion plant, too.”
Mint
Gala says that mint is one of the hardiest plants around and it will happily thrive in any condition, sun or shade. “Because mint is a water-loving plant, growing it in partial shade is actually beneficial, as it prevents the soil from drying out quickly,”
she notes.
Cilantro
“Cilantro is an excellent plant to grow if you have a shady yard, as excessive heat and sunlight make it bolt almost instantly,” Gala says. “Like lettuce, arugula, and kale, cilantro is a super cold-hardy plant and grows best in cooler months of spring and fall.”
Green Onions
Also known as “spring onions,” Gala says these veggies are easy to grow in partial shade and serve as an excellent crop for filling in small spaces between other plants. “While they can grow in full sun, exposure to extreme heat can burn their tips and scorch the stalk,” Gala cautions, reinforcing the idea that shade really is ideal for green onions.
Peas
“Peas are another cool-season crop that can grow in partial shade,” Gala says. “While they may grow more slowly in less sunlight, protection from the intense heat is helpful because the plant stops producing flowers and pods once temperatures consistently rise above 85 degrees Fahrenheit.”
Spinach
Gala says that spinach is one of the best leafy green vegetables to grow in a partially shaded garden. “It prefers cool temperatures; shade, especially in the afternoon, can reduce heat stress, delay bolting, and allow you to harvest for a longer period of time,” she says.
