[hattend]

Suggestions needed for vegetables that do well in shade.

I have a big patch of ground that I could expand my garden into but right in the middle is an old apricot tree and in the alley are BIG Pecan trees and then to help shade the setting sun I have a big Walnut tree.

The area in question is shaded maybe 80-90 percent of the day. I was thinking of squash or some other vines but I don’t want the vines growing out into the yard as they search for sun. (Wow, I learned with a pumpkin vine, believe me!)

Does butter lettuce or peas do well in shade? I was thinking of maybe potatoes as well but I’m afraid that ancient apricot’s roots might interfere.

[Red_Devil 232]

Found this info on the net.

Keep in mind that no vegetable will grow in full, dense shade. The following crops will produce with three to six hours of sun, or fairly constant dappled shade, per day.

1. Salad Greens, such as leaf lettuce, arugula, endive, and cress.
2. Broccoli
3. Cauliflower
4. Peas
5. Beets
6. Brussels Sprouts
7. Radishes
8. Swiss Chard
9. Leafy Greens, such as collards, mustard greens, spinach, and kale
10. Beans

[Excellence]

My mother planted a grape vine at the base of an almond tree. It grew up the tree, and there were grapes and almonds growing side by side. Yes, it looked very strange. :)

[Mrs. Don-o]

In partial shade, plants grown just for leaves (foliage) will do best: letttuce, chard, etc.

Next-best would be quick-growing small root crops (like radishes, turnips, and green onions) --- and if they kinda "under-produce" in the edible root dept., you can still eat the greens.

What you don't want is plants grown for fruits or seeds: that would rule out squash, as well as melons, cukes, tomatoes, peppers, corn, sunflowers, pole beans, etc. Anything that makes a fruit or seeds, needs lots and lots of sun.

Peas? I'm thinking no: even if the vines (and leaves) grew OK, the yield would be low, probably a big disappointment.

Nix on potatoes or shallots or onions: they will not tolerate interfering tree-roots. And as far as I know, almost no garden plant will tolerate walnut tree roots: they are notoriously inhospitable to competition.

Bottom line: in shady areas, stick with greens. In my humble opinion.

[afraidfortherepublic]

Try a raised bed if you are concerned about roots.

[CynicalBear]

You need to do some research on what will grow with that walnut tree so close. Many plants will not grow near them.

[greeneyes]

Many plants will not grow well within 50 feet of the drip line of a walnut tree. Tomatoes for one. Can not remember the others.

Corn, beans, and melons are tolerant of walnut toxicity. Can’t remember the rest.