Mario Bautista
Just because you don’t have a sunny spot in your yard doesn’t mean you can’t grow vegetables. Many leafy greens, including spinach, lettuce, and kale, as well as root crops like beets and carrots, thrive in low light conditions. Shade-tolerant vegetables also help beautify a garden by brightening up bare patches with their pretty foliage and texture and can extend the vegetable growing season into early spring or late fall when sunlight starts to wane. Here, gardening experts share the best vegetables to grow in the shade that will make a great addition to your edible garden.
Lettuce
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Growing lettuce (Lactuca sativa) in the shade has a key benefit: It extends its life by keeping its roots cool. Planted in the spring and fall, this mineral-rich leafy green does best in loose, well-drained, nutrient-filled soil. Sow seeds in a deep container or garden 1/4-inch deep and 1 inch apart; cover with a light dusting of soil.
Lettuce can be harvested throughout its growth stages—from baby leaf (around 3 to 6 inches in size) to fully matured heads (approximately 50 days from seeding). Harvest lettuce in the early morning when temperatures are cool and leaves are moisture-rich, then swiftly refrigerate; cut leaves can wilt in as little as 15 minutes.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-draining soil
- Varieties to grow: Iceberg, Summer Crisp, butterhead, romaine, Ice Green Loose-Leaf, Flashy Trout Back, Buttercrunch, Freckles
Spinach
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Shade allows vitamin-rich spinach (Spinacia oleracea) to grow faster and helps reduce plant bolting, which results in bitter-tasting leaves. Spinach, which should be planted in late winter to early spring, enjoys a compost-rich, well-drained soil. Mulch will help retain moisture and keep plants cool in warmer climates. Sow seeds in a container or garden bed 1/2-inch deep and spaced 2 inches apart, covering them with a 1/2 inch of soil. Continue sowing every two to three weeks for a non-stop harvest.
Harvest as soon as baby leaves appear (when they are around 2 to 3 inches in size) or at maturity (around 28 to 55 days from seeding), when heads can be cut at ground level. Bitterness will set in if you harvest after maturity.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 6 to 12 inches tall x 6 to 12 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to light shade; well-draining soil
- Varieties to grow: Space, Bloomsdale, Tyee, Olympia, Seaside
Bolting occurs when an edible plant’s energy is shifted into producing flowers and seeds, resulting in bitter-tasting leaves.
Beets
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Fiber-rich beets (Beta vulgaris subsp. vulgaris) are a quick-growing crop that can tolerate shade and near-freezing temperatures. Plant beets in the early spring, as soon as the soil is workable. They prefer well-drained and compost-rich loose soil. Apply a layer of organic mulch—such as straw or wood chips—around the plant’s base to suppress weed growth and temper soil fluctuations. Seeds should be sown 1/2-inch deep, spaced 2 inches apart in deep containers or garden beds.
Beets can be picked at seven to nine weeks, when their crowns protrude 1 to 2 inches above the soil line.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 foot wide
- Care requirements: Full to partial sun; loamy, sandy, silt, moist, well-drained soil
- Varieties to grow: Detroit Dark Red, Chioggia, Cylindra, Bulls Blood, Early Wonder, Boldor, Touchstone
When growing beets, remove any garden weeds by hand. A trowel can damage the developing beetroots, exposing them to disease.
Radishes
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Excessive heat and direct sunlight can cause vitamin-rich radishes (Raphanus sativus) to bolt. Shade actually prevents them from becoming woody or pithy. Plant radishes in the spring or fall in loose, well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. Sow seeds a 1/2 inch into the ground or in a deep container about 2 inches apart.
Radishes reach their optimal size at 1 to 2 inches about three to four weeks after sowing.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 1 to 2 feet tall x 1 foot wide
- Care requirements: Full to partial sun; loamy, sandy, silt, moist, well-drained soil
- Varieties to grow: Cherry Belle, French breakfast, Easter egg, watermelon radish, daikon, black Spanish, German giant, White Icicle, Cherriette
Bolting isn’t always a bad thing when it comes to radishes, which will put out phlox-like flowers that can later produce tasty seed pods.
Arugula
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Too much sun makes this fast-growing, folate-rich green, which you can plant in the spring and fall, taste bitter. Arugula (Eruca vesicaria) likes a loose, compost-rich, well-drained soil. Mulch will keep the plant cool and retain moisture in warmer climates. Succession sow directly into the garden 1/4-inch down and 12 to 18 inches apart throughout the growing season to ensure a steady supply of leaves.
Arugula is at its best when the leaves are tender and young, so clip individual leaves when they’re just 2 to 3 inches long for a continuous supply (or cut the entire plant at its base).
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 2 feet tall to 3 feet tall, depending on the species x 1.5 feet wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to part shade; loamy, moist, well-drained soil
- Varieties to grow: Astro, Sylvetta, Rocket Salad
Brussels Sprouts
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Cool temperatures sweeten the flavor of Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera), which are a good source of vitamins C and K. Plant them in early spring or mid-to-late summer; they prefer a well-drained soil that’s rich in organic matter. Plant seeds a 1/4- to 1/2-inch deep in pots, then transplant into the garden at six to eight weeks, placing seedlings 24 to 36 inches apart.
Brussels sprouts are ready to harvest when the sprouts are firm, green, and fully formed.
- Zones: 6 to 9
- Size: 10 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; rich, well-draining soil
- Varieties to grow: Long Island Improved, Diablo, Trafalgar, Jade Cross, Churchill, Rubine, Falstaff
Fertilize Brussels sprouts at least twice during the growing season with a nitrogen-rich formula. Too little can stunt growth; too much can damage roots and prevent seedling from taking in water.
Kale
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Hot temperatures tend to produce bitter leaves within this vitamin-rich cabbage—you’ll get a better result if you place them in the shade. Plant kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala), one month before the last frost in the spring and/or six weeks before the first frost in the fall. They like compost-rich, well-drained soil. Seeds should be placed 1/4-inch deep and 3 inches apart. Cover with mulch in warmer climates to help retain moisture and keep plants cool.
Kale can be harvested both at baby and full-size stages by removing the outer leaves, starting from the bottom. Take caution, though: Removing more than one-third of the plant at a time could halt growth.
- Zones: 6 to 9
- Size: 10 to 24 inches tall x 12 to 24 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; rich, well-draining soil
- Varieties to grow: Toscano, Winterbor, Red Russian, Dazzling Blue, dinosaur, Tuscan
Scallions
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Iron-rich scallions (Allium fistulosum) prefer shade to prevent bolting. You can plant them in early spring or late summer for a fall crop. Scallions like compost-rich, loose, and well-drained soil. Grow in either containers or garden beds, sowing seeds 1/4-inch deep and spaced 12 to 18 inches apart.
For a continuous supply, only cut off the tops when you harvest, leaving the rest of the scallion in the ground. Scallions can also be harvested whole by gently pulling the plant out of the bed.
- Zones: 6 to 9
- Size: 1 to 3 feet tall x 1 to 2 feet wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; rich, well-draining soil
- Varieties to grow: Evergreen Hardy White, Tokyo Long White, White Lisbon
Grow scallions indoors by placing a jar on your windowsill with enough water to fully cover the roots. Harvest by cutting off the tops and keeping the rest of the plant in the water, where it will continue to send up new greens.
Bok Choy
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Rich in folate, quick-growing bok choy (Brassica rapa chinensis) is a vegetable that grows well in the shade, resulting in a more flavorful and tender leaf. Planted in spring or late summer, bok choy likes a moist, well-drained soil and can be grown in deep containers and garden beds. Plant seeds 2 inches apart and cover lightly with soil. As a heavy feeder, bok choy benefits from a helping of compost.
Leaves can be picked individually throughout the growing season, while heads can be harvested as early as 35 days.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 6 to 24 inches tall x 6 to 18 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; well-drained soil
- Varieties to grow: Jade Pagoda, Dynasty, Two Seasons
You can grow bok choy until the very end of the growing season—its flavor actually benefits from a light frost.
Peas
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Fast-growing peas (Pisum sativum), which are loaded with vitamins C and E, thrive in cooler temperatures and shaded spots. Plant peas in early spring and fall in a compost-rich, well-drained soil. Seeds can be sowed in either a deep container or garden bed, 1 inch deep and spaced 2 inches apart. Be sure to provide some type of support, like a trellis, for climbing varieties.
Harvest when pods become glossy and plump, usually 60 to 70 days after planting.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 12 to 18 inches tall x 7 to 12 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-drained soil
- Varieties to grow: Maussane, Green Beauty, Oregon Sugar, Golden Sweet, Sugar Ann, Opal Creek
Carrots
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Too much heat and light exposure can cause carrots (Daucus carota), rich in beta carotene, to bolt. Plant them in the shade in late spring or summer to prevent this. Carrots prefer loose, nutrient-rich, well-drained soil along with a smooth planting surface—before seeding, remove any rocks and clumps from the area. Plant in the garden or in a container at least 12 inches deep, spaced 3 inches apart.
Carrots are typically ready for harvest 60 to 80 days after sowing, although they can be pulled at any size.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 3 to 36 inches tall x 2 to 3 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun to partial shade; moist, well-draining soil
- Varieties to grow: Nantes, Danvers, Imperator, Chantenay, baby carrots, purple carrots, rainbow carrots
Cover carrots with soil as they poke through the ground to prevent green shoulders from sunlight.
Swiss Chard
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The leaves on vitamin-rich Swiss chard (Beta vulgaris) can bolt and become bitter if they are exposed to too much sun, which is why they’re a great vegetable to grow in the shade. Plant seeds two to four weeks before the last frost date in the spring; sow Swiss chard in a compost-rich, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil in containers or garden beds 1/2-inch deep and spaced 5 inches apart.
Rainbow-hued Swiss chard makes for a stunning edible landscape. For continuous harvests, pick the outer leaves as needed four to six weeks after planting. Harvest the entire head by cutting the plant at ground level. Amend the soil with a slow-release organic nitrogen fertilizer, such as cottonseed meal, to promote brisk growth.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 12 to 24 inches tall x 9 to 18 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; fertile, well-drained soil
- Varieties to grow: Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant, Ruby Red, rainbow
Kohlrabi
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Shade slows the risk of bolting and contributes to a more flavorful iron-rich crop. Kohlrabi (Brassica olearcea var. gongylodes) enjoys a compost-rich, well-drained soil. Sow 1/2-inch deep, spaced 1 inch apart, in the garden or a deep container. Plant seeds three to four weeks before the last expected spring frost.
This fast-growing vegetable is ready for harvest in six weeks—cut at ground level when the stem is swollen to the size of a tennis ball.
- Zones: 2 to 11
- Size: 9 to 12 inches tall x 9 to 12 inches wide
- Care requirements: Full sun; rich, well-drained soil
- Varieties to grow: Purple Vienna, Gigante, Early White Vienna
Kohlrabi will grow back after harvesting if the bottom of the stem is left in the ground.
