12 vegetables you can grow well without full sun!
Looking for a plentiful garden harvest even if your space is somewhat shady? No problem! These 12 vegetables are perfect for low-maintenance growing and don't need much sun to flourish. Easily plant any of these hearty veggies (or all!) without ever worrying about too little light or attention, giving you an abundance from season to season.
Arugula is quite resilient and doesn't require immense amounts of sun - just one to two hours a day! But if you don't get any sunlight, this hardy little plant will still thrive in complete shade. Plus, what's great about both arugula and leaf lettuces is that they can be grown with intensive planting: disregard the spacing guidelines on seed packets for optimal production.
Leaf lettuces are a dream come true for gardeners - they require minimal effort and time, plus you don't need an expansive outdoor space to cultivate them. With just two hours of sunlight per day, leafy greens can easily flourish in even the coziest gardens!
Endive is an often overlooked member of the lettuce family, but it's a surprisingly easy-care crop that thrives in shady conditions. So if you're looking for something distinctive to add your garden and salad bowl, endive might be just the green!
Cress is a remarkable vegetable that adds vibrant flavor to salads. With its ability to thrive in almost any environment, cress can be the perfect addition for gardeners of all levels! Just remember one thing - keep your plant well watered and you'll have an abundant crop bursting with deliciousness!
Broccoli is an easy-breezy veggie to grow at home– only two hours of sunshine and a regular watering schedule needed! Give your plant some extra love with fertilizer for an abundant harvest.
Cauliflower if you want a dependable kitchen garden that doesn't require endless hours of tending, then cauliflower and broccoli are your ideal plants. Plant them in partial sun for the best results; just remember to keep an eye out for pesky cabbage worms!
Peas can be the perfect addition to any garden - even if you're short on space or sunlight! Plant them in raised beds with a trellis and watch your harvest thrive.
Swiss chard is fabulous for providing food, structure, and color, and is also one of the easiest vegetables to grow in shade. Both the stems and leaves are edible, and very versatile.
Scallions also known as green onions, are an easy-to-grow vegetable that thrive in sunny spots, but don't give up hope if your garden isn't particularly bright. Planting a mix of sun and shade grown scallions can extend the cropping period for this flavorful veggie!
Radishes are a great choice for gardeners who don't have access to full sun - they're fast, easy and delicious! Growing them in the shade can keep them from bolting (which makes radishes taste bitter) and allow soil to stay cool and moist. So if you’re looking for an edible plant that grows quickly with minimal fussing over it, add some radishes into your kitchen garden this season!
Carrots If you want a solid carrot harvest, try planting in shady spots that are sheltered from the midday sun – just make sure to give them some early morning rays! Planting your seeds directly into beds will help young seedlings develop strong leaves and get established. You'll have a less speedy growth rate than if planted in full-on sunshine, but you're on course for an abundant haul come summertime!
Cilantro is incredibly hardy and can handle spring frosts like a champ! It also happens to be one of the fastest growing herbs that grow in shade. For the best harvest cycle, plant cilantro seeds in small batches every two to three weeks. When harvesting leaves from your crop, be sure not to disturb the crown of the plant so it can continue producing for you.