Trial and error is how most shade gardening experts go about their garden. There is no exact science to it, but vegetable gardens can grow in shady spots. A rule of thumb exists, though, that determines what vegetable is more effective at growing in said spots. Experts have concluded that a little shade is fine if gardeners grow for the buds, stems, and leaves. On the other hand, plants that are grown for the fruit and root needs full sun.

Gardening in a shady location needs more attention than normal ones. You need to determine the quality of shade, level of the plant’s fertility, temperature, soil type and how much the plants get moisture. All these factors affect the success or failure of your venture.

Different Types of Shade

The sun is a major component for vegetables and plants to bear fruit. No vegetable garden can survive without sunlight. And having limited access to it means limited results. That’s why having shaded gardens can be quite disappointing. You don’t get the most out of your garden. Continue reading →

If you are looking to start growing your own food, vegetables will probably be a large part of that. While you can grow just about any vegetable you want – depending on the season – there are some that are definitely easier for beginners. Here are some good vegetables to start with when you are just beginning to explore growing your own food.

Leafy Greens

One of the easiest types of vegetables for beginners to grow is salad greens or leafy greens. This includes most types of lettuce and greens that you would use for a salad,such as spinach, kale, arugula, collard greens, and lettuce like romaine and iceberg.

Cabbage can also be included in this category. Lettuce is actually really beautiful and enticing in a garden when it begins to grow, plus there is always room for adding more greens to your diet. If you are using seeds, spring and fall are typically the best time to plant greens. Continue reading →

If you want to grow more food at home, but you don’t have the option for a full vegetable garden in your backyard, the lack of sun is often the biggest issue. While many vegetables do need as much sunlight as possible, others do okay with just partial sun and partial shade. This is often when you grow them on your patio or balcony, in your sunroom, or even right in your kitchen. Here are some of the best vegetables that can grow with only partial shade.

Beans

The first vegetable you can grow on your patio or in your backyard with just partial sun and partial shade is beans. However, you need to consider what types of beans you have. The beans that are on a vine are fine with just partial sun, where they are shaded for part of the day. These would be the ones on a trellis. With the beans that are in bushes, try to give them at least 6 hours of sun per day. Continue reading →