17 Easy-To-Grow Vegetables That'll Thrive In Shady Areas Of Your Garden

When it comes to planting vegetables, you may have the urge to make every inch of your garden useful, and this includes places that don't bask in the sun's rays all day. Areas where the sun is blocked by trees or other structures for much of the day aren't off limits, even though you can't place your fruiting tomatoes or zucchini plants there for a good crop. There's a whole menu of vegetables that will thrive in your garden's shady spots, including different types of leafy and root veggies.

In gardening lingo, shade doesn't mean a complete absence of light. All vegetables need at least some light to grow, which means areas of very dense shade are better places for a garden path or bench than a living plant. There are degrees of shade: some plants grow in full shade or less than three hours of daily sunlight. Others prefer partial shade (between three and six hours). Also, it's advisable to supplement the soil with some extra fertilizer and water in areas of shade that are under trees, as the tree roots may be competing with the vegetables for nutrients. 

Before you plant these shade-loving vegetables, devote some time to watching where the light lingers in your garden, and for how long. Based on the information you gather, you can sketch out a diagram and then map out and space your garden veggie plants accordingly.

If you have a small garden, or one where light is blocked by trees, spinach (Spinacia oleracea) is one of the vegetables you can still have success with. It's known to flourish in areas that get three or four hours of daily sunlight, which would be too heavily shaded for other crops. Another benefit of growing spinach is that you can pick the leaves, no matter what size they are, to toss into a quick salad. It grows well outside in many different climates, from USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 11.

Carrots (Daucus carota) tolerate being grown in partially shaded places. Try planting them as long as you get at least four hours of sunlight, and if your garden is in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 11. Having shade around the carrots can work in your favor if you're growing carrots in the summer heat: keeping the soil moist helps avoid bitterness in the crop, and shaded spaces stay moist for longer than sunny spots. That means you can water less often. Just check regularly that the first 3 inches of soil aren't dry to make sure they stay healthy.

Lettuce (Lactuca sativa) is among the easiest vegetables to grow in partial shade. With a wide hardiness range, it grows in USDA Zones 2 through 11. If you're growing it in the summer, it will be happy to receive just three to four hours of sunlight per day. Lettuce isn't a one-note crop. You can choose from romaine, butterhead (including Boston and Bibb types), and leaf lettuce. To keep the crop safe in the summer, take advantage of partially shaded spaces, situate it near taller companion plants that will provide shade, or place it near a shade cloth.

Cauliflower (Brassica oleracea var. botrytis) needs to be kept out of the heat in its early growing stages, so try planting the seedlings near a shade barrier. It's also a cool-weather crop that grows best at 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so keeping it out of the sun may help with the development of cauliflower heads. Many varieties will even naturally fold leaves around their developing heads to shield them from too much sun, so a bit of shade will help. Plant cauliflower outside in USDA Hardiness Zones 6 through 9.

The leafy arugula (Eruca vesicaria) can grow well in partial shade. Ideally, it should get four to six hours of direct sunlight a day, making it perfect for places in the garden that get shady in the afternoon. The taste of arugula is affected by heat, so (especially if you live in a hot climate), giving it adequate shade can keep it from a process known as "bolting," where it develops flowers and becomes bitter. It's best to plant arugula in the fall or spring, and it thrives in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 11.

Pole beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), aka green beans or string beans, are an easy-to-grow vegetable that tolerates partial shade. Plant them in the warm seasons in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 11. Some heirloom varieties of green beans are even more tolerant of shade, so look for Cornfield pole beans that withstand both shade and heat. These types of beans will have smooth pods and noticeable strings when grown.

Consider growing radishes (Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus) in spaces that get four or five hours of sunlight, but have patience. Radishes in partial shade take longer to become harvestable. It's best to plant them in the spring or fall in zones 2 through 11. Another reason to grow radishes in partial shade is that they fare best in cooler temperatures. If the weather gets too hot, they can become woody or go to seed. Planting radishes next to carrots helps thin out the rows of carrots, giving them space to grow once the radishes are ready for harvest.

Endive (Cichorium endivia) often appears yellow, but it is a leafy green and is more shade-tolerant than other veggies. You can try growing endive if you have at least three hours of direct sunlight in the garden. Soil quality is important in their development, and you'll want to use a complete fertilizer according to package directions. Shade can also help keep them in the low temperatures they need, as they tend to bolt if it's too sunny or hot, making the crop taste extremely bitter. Plant it in spring or fall in USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 9.

It's fascinating to watch Brussels sprouts (Brassica oleracea var. gemmifera) grow: the sprouts look like baby cabbages climbing a stalk. Shade can help provide the cooler temperatures that actually improve their flavor, so give growing them a try in spots that get two to six hours of sun. Just be aware that your sprouts can take longer to mature if their habitat is on the shady side. They can be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 10. In some areas, you can keep harvesting them into the winter, and frost also boosts their taste.

As long as you get three to four hours of direct sun, try planting beets (Beta vulgaris). Although the beets themselves may be smaller, you can also harvest and eat their leaves as greens. You may need to wait a bit longer for this root vegetable to develop if you grow it in the shade. If you're still figuring out how much light falls on different parts of your garden, beets are ideal since they can be planted in containers and moved around. They'll thrive in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 11.

Add some variety to your stock of salad greens with radicchio (Cichorium intybus), a type of chicory you can grow in three or more hours of sun. The shelter of partial shade can help protect it from the leaf burn caused by high temperatures. Carefully pick its delicate leaves when they grow to their full size and be rewarded by their crunch and maroon color when you put a fresh salad together. Their taste has a bitterness to it, but it isn't overpowering. Radicchio grows best in well-draining soil that's kept uniformly moist.

Bok choy (Brassica rapa subsp. Chinensis) is a fall and spring vegetable that can be grown in as little as two hours of sunlight per day. Because it tolerates cold conditions, you can even try an early spring or late fall planting. Partial shade will also keep the plant from bolting, or flowering instead of developing its characteristic flavor. You don't have to wait until the plant matures to pick its green leaves, which are perfect for tossing into stir-fry.

Looking for a hardy plant for a cool, shaded place? Consider kale (Brassica oleracea var. Acephala). Although it's usually grown in the fall and spring, providing kale with shade can help it survive the summer. Grow this green in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 through 10, giving its soil plenty of compost. When the leaves are big enough to pick, start by plucking the lower ones so the plant will provide a satisfying, continuous harvest.

Whether you want to try a new root vegetable or just enjoy their taste, you can plant turnips (Brassica rapa subsp. Rapifera) in partially shaded areas throughout USDA Hardiness Zones 3 through 10. Your soil should be on the loose side for best results, and make sure to give them a thorough, even watering. When the root is ready to harvest, it will look like a lighter-colored version of a beet and have edible, leafy tops. They can withstand the cold and may grow until early winter.

That bulb-like vegetable you may have been curious about at a farmer's market is kohlrabi (Brassica oleracea var. gongylodes), and it can grow in partial shade. With a name that means 'cabbage turnip,' this veggie has a peppery taste — eat it crunchy and raw or roast it like a potato. Its flavor improves when it's grown in the cold, so use your shade to keep the soil temperature down. Be aware you may have a smaller crop, but on the plus side, you may be able to enjoy a harvest even after an autumn frost.

If you garden in a hot climate, you'll want to grow peas (Pisum sativum) in partial shade. They can stop producing when temperatures climb above 85 degrees Fahrenheit. There are several varieties to choose from, and some, like snow and snap peas, have edible pods. Planting peas can make conditions better for other plants, too, since they help add nitrogen to your soil for a healthier garden. Grow them outside in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 11 in the spring or fall.

Add a punch to salads with scallions (Allium fistulosum), also known as green onions or green bunching onions. They're fast-growing and can thrive in your garden's partially shaded areas, requiring around five hours of sunlight and planting at the beginning of spring. Harvest the young onions when you can see the white bulb at the base of their dark green leaves. These versatile vegetables can be harvested all year in USDA Zones 6 through 9, where they're hardy to winter temperatures.