Tomatoes, peppers or zucchini only thrive in lots of light - in shady places, however, the harvest is likely to be very poor, if at all. The same applies to the majority of crops, which only thrive in sunny gardens or on bright balconies. But if you only have a shady garden, you don't have to go without fresh, home-grown greens. Some vegetable plants and fruit trees tolerate low-light locations.
Which vegetables grow in the shade?
For shady vegetable gardens, wild raspberries, currants, blueberries, wild strawberries, wild garlic, leafy vegetables such as lettuce, various types of cabbage, legumes such as peas and beans, and root vegetables such as radishes, carrots, parsnips and beetroot are suitable. Optimize the available light and ensure good soil quality.
Suitable vegetables and fruits for the shade garden
The vegetables and fruits that are suitable for the shade garden include those that thrive in the forest as wild forms: berry trees such as wild raspberries, currants, blueberries and wild strawberries are ideal for growing in the shady garden. The same applies to plants such as wild garlic. In addition, most leafy vegetables such as cut, picked or lamb's lettuce, ice cream and lamb's lettuce also tolerate a darker location. Furthermore, various types of cabbage such as broccoli, cauliflower, white and red cabbage as well as legumes (peas, beans) and root vegetables (radishes, carrots, parsnips, beetroot) require little light.
The right care for the shady vegetable garden
Nevertheless, the plants mentioned cannot survive entirely without sun, which is why you should definitely pay attention to the following instructions when planting and caring for your shade garden:
- No vegetables should be planted under sprawling (fruit) trees and other trees.
- Here the plants come into direct competition with each other, so that none of them really want to thrive anymore.
- In addition, (fruit) trees in particular draw a lot of water and nutrients - vegetable plants also depend on both of these.
- Make optimal use of the available light in the shade garden,
- for example by placing reflectors behind the plants that catch the last rays of sunlight.
- If the bed is in front of a wall, paint it white - this also reflects.
- Heat helps plants grow, so ensure the best conditions with polytunnels (€139.00 on Amazon), glass boxes, etc.
- Shady locations are also often rather damp, which can lead to waterlogging.
- Before planting, ensure optimal drainage and, if necessary, improve the soil.
- Good garden soil is loose, permeable and rich in humus.
- Before planting, add plenty of compost and check the pH of the soil.
Tip
Before planting, first have a soil analysis carried out, which should be repeated every four years. Then you will find out what your garden soil is actually composed of - and how to optimally fertilize your garden.