Raised beds in the shade

La_escocesa

Hi everyone👋

Please could you share your tips for raised beds that are mainly in the shade. 🙏

Is there any hope for growing veggies/herbs? 

Or which plants should I go for? 

2 raised beds approx 2.5m x 1m. 

Thank you! 

sammyjammy

I suppose first questions are why were they built in the shade and can they be moved?

La_escocesa

Thanks @sammyjammy - I'm just in planning stages at the minute. The whole area is mainly in the shade so I'm just wondering if there's any point. Could anything grow there? I take it from your reply that there's probably no point bothering? 

Thank you! 

FlorayG

Entirely depends on what you mean by shade
Under a tree?
On the side of a wall?
Does it get any sun at any time of the day?
Which side does the shade come from?

Farway

FlorayG said:

Entirely depends on what you mean by shade
Under a tree?
On the side of a wall?
Does it get any sun at any time of the day?
Which side does the shade come from?

This ^^^^^

Any sun or bright daylight at all? Or just deep gloom?

What is growing there now? It may give a clue on conditions.

KajiKita

Hi @La_escocesa  

I agree with needing to understand what level of shade you are working with. Also are there lots of tree roots near where the beds would be (will inevitably suck a lot of moisture out of the ground) or are you shaded by buildings?

I have been reading a permaculture book recently that says so long as the space is open to sky above there should be enough light to grow something. Think things that are naturally understory plants e.g. raspberries and things that appreciate cool conditions such as lettuce and green herbs such as coriander and parsley. 

I will be following this thread with interest as a lot of my garden is 'in shade'. 

KK

twopenny

I have a garden that is half in shade in summer, as in the fence throws shadow over a good third so I have practised with vegetables and fruit.

You can grow things in shade but the quantity is poorer - again depending on what sort of shade as asked above.

Deep shade as I have in one corner would be a no. Partial shade can grow some crops again depending on all day shade, half day shade etc.

So can give details once we know.

Could do with knowing what you want to grow - that would help give immediate answers.

Then perhaps what will grow and if that's worth your while.

ShinyStarlight1

Spinach likes the shade

Flyingkidney

@La_escocesa

As folks have said  - how much shade.. Does it get any sunshine in the day..  It might also be useful to know if its on the NSEW side of a property.. Most smartphones have a compass.

Here's 10 crops for some shade from Gardeners world

https://www.gardenersworld.com/plants/10-best-vegetable-crops-for-shade/

If the raised beds are unused you'd be wanting to replenish/refresh the top 2 - 3 inches of soil.

dont_use_vistaprint

La_escocesa said:

Hi everyone👋

Please could you share your tips for raised beds that are mainly in the shade. 🙏

Is there any hope for growing veggies/herbs? 

Or which plants should I go for? 

2 raised beds approx 2.5m x 1m. 

Thank you! 

Garden herbs and fruit bushes. If they are fully in the shade, I would re-organise