Allotments 4 All

I am growing veggies on my balcony (no allotment!) and there is a large part of the balcony that is almost perpetually in shade, i.e it gets a lot of light throughout the day, but no direct sunlight. I have space for a few troughs - the sunny spots on my balcony are all used up, unfortunately. I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good crop of veggies that are very shade-tolerant?

vegwomble

Try this - "Nearly all vegetable plants will grow better in full sunlight than in shade. However, leafy crops such as lettuce, cabbage, greens, spinach and parsley can tolerate more shade than root crops such as radishes, beets, turnips and onions. The root vegetables can stand more shade than those which bear fruit, such as cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes and eggplant. One advantage to container gardening is mobility. Container gardening makes it possible to position the vegetables in areas where they can receive the best possible growing conditions".

OK thanks Tim. I might move my trough of baby lettuce then, and use the vacated space for something else more sun-loving.

The problem with container gardening is that if I moved my containers to the sunniest, best spots on my balcony, I wouldn't have any space left to walk! ;)

Actually I only really get 3-4 hours of direct sunlight per day, if that.

But your Cabbage looks good!!

Just a thought on salad crops-and this really is off the top of my head without too much thought. You could try `winter crops` after all they have to cope with low light levels?

The advice Tim has posted is sound.  But I'd like to add one exception and that is that Raspberries are more than happy in semi-shade.

G x

Indeed - but on a balcony? In almost total shade??

Nice thought, Stephan.

I grow my Raspberries in two 12" pots in an area where they only get a few hours of sun daily - early morning and late evening.  Okay I couldn't supply a supermarket but I still think it's worth it.   ;D

G x

My little cherry tree is in the shade and seems quite happy 8)

Really Flossie?  Now you've got me scheming!   ;)

G x

American Land Cress claims to prefer shade, IIRC.

Hmmm, but... I don't really like cress!  ;D I'll give the raspberries further thought!

I wonder what might happen if I moved my cut-and-come-again salad crops and my hydrangaes to the shadier side. It clears a little space for another rose, or maybe a trough of veggies... hmmmm!

I don't get enough sun in general and my aubergines/chillis are struggling - getting bigger, but struggling. :(

vw

in the latest gyo magazine. www.growfruitandveg.co.uk  they have an article called shady business, might give you some ideas  :)