We grow cucumbers in an area with less than optimal sunlight

Elliot · May 5, 2014

Have been very successful with growing cucumbers on a parcel of land next to our house which really does not get the most sunlight. Are thee any other veges that will also grow in less than optimal lighting?

kath · May 5, 2014

I'm surprised that cukes do well in less than full sun. I would think if you can grow fruits in this spot, you should be able to grow lots of other stuff. This site has a chart with suggestions for veggies that require less sunlight than others:

http://www.motherearthnews.com/organ...#axzz30sXgY41L

Some other sites also suggest onions, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi and rhubarb. They may produce smaller crops than when grown in full sun. I thought celery did ok, too, since it's a marsh plant.

kath

shelleybean · May 5, 2014

Do you know how many hours of sun this spot receives a day? Is it shady all year or just in the spring/summer/early fall?

If you can grow cucumbers, you might be able to grow cherry tomatoes. They seem to be a little more forgiving than larger fruited varieties. I think lettuce would also be a good choice and it would benefit from some shade when it gets hots. Spinach and other greens, too.

luigiwu · May 5, 2014

I wish there was an affordable device that measured how many hours of sunlight a spot got...

KarenO · May 5, 2014

I would say if you can grow cucumbers there successfully you could grow many things. certainly greens like lettuce, kale, spinach etc. beets and chard, onions, carrots, things like radish and broccoli, herbs etc. maybe not peppers and tomatoes or melons and squash but most other garden veggies will do pretty well in part shade.
karen

May 5, 2014	#1
Elliot Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Hicksville, New York Posts: 503	We grow cucumbers in an area with less than optimal sunlight Have been very successful with growing cucumbers on a parcel of land next to our house which really does not get the most sunlight. Are thee any other veges that will also grow in less than optimal lighting?

May 5, 2014	#3
shelleybean Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Virginia Beach Posts: 2,648	Do you know how many hours of sun this spot receives a day? Is it shady all year or just in the spring/summer/early fall? If you can grow cucumbers, you might be able to grow cherry tomatoes. They seem to be a little more forgiving than larger fruited varieties. I think lettuce would also be a good choice and it would benefit from some shade when it gets hots. Spinach and other greens, too. __________________ Michele

May 5, 2014	#2
kath Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: zone 6b, PA Posts: 5,664	I'm surprised that cukes do well in less than full sun. I would think if you can grow fruits in this spot, you should be able to grow lots of other stuff. This site has a chart with suggestions for veggies that require less sunlight than others: http://www.motherearthnews.com/organ...#axzz30sXgY41L Some other sites also suggest onions, broccoli, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, kohlrabi and rhubarb. They may produce smaller crops than when grown in full sun. I thought celery did ok, too, since it's a marsh plant. kath

May 5, 2014	#4
luigiwu Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: ny Posts: 1,219	I wish there was an affordable device that measured how many hours of sunlight a spot got...

May 5, 2014	#5
KarenO Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Vancouver Island Posts: 5,931	I would say if you can grow cucumbers there successfully you could grow many things. certainly greens like lettuce, kale, spinach etc. beets and chard, onions, carrots, things like radish and broccoli, herbs etc. maybe not peppers and tomatoes or melons and squash but most other garden veggies will do pretty well in part shade. karen