Suggestions for what to grow in a space with 2hrs direct sun?

[MSchep]

Hi All,
I'm looking to expand my minimal container garden to an area that gets only a couple hours of direct sun a day. This is a small stretch of side yard that gets probably 2 hours of direct unfiltered sun in the middle of the day, but earlier and later is shaded by my house and the neighbors. Any suggestions on what might be good to grow in containers here? The peak heat can get pretty hot, but otherwise, very temperate, and of course, cool California nights.

Would peas or beans do well here? Leafy greens?

Thanks in advance.

Schep

[habitat_gardener]

Maybe bush beans, not pole beans. Maybe.

Probably greens.

Maybe root vegs.

[ChiliPeppa]

Ginger

[dmforcier]

Well, something that doesn't need sun. (mushrooms?)

But distinguish. On my current south-facing balcony I get very little sun at the solstice, but pretty decent sun - at least over a certain area - for 10 months when the sun drops in the sky. Are you trying to grow in a space that gets no more than 2 hours all year long?

Hmmm. Maybe something that can climb above the eaves of your house?

[Fred Hempel]

Herbs

[Jeannine Anne]

Take a look at Minnie veggies post as the area I am growing in is shady

[sjamesNorway]

Here are some tips, and follow the link to the "best shade-tolerant vegetables".

http://www.motherearthnews.com/organ...m0z11zsto.aspx

[bower]

Great list.. I would add celery.

[Tracydr]

Chard and other greens. Many herbs,lettuce,maybe green onions. I had great luck with Armenian cucumber in the shade one year but that was AZ.

[MSchep]

Thanks all for the suggestions! Looks like consensus is leafy greens, and herbs.

[AlittleSalt]

I would grow herbs as well. Something like cilantro that has a nice scent to it.

In cooler climates, rhubarb can grow in areas like this.

[dmforcier]

Mmm. Rhubarb. That's one thing I do miss from New England (that and sweet peonies). We can get rhubarb down here part of the year, but it's $10 a pound or more!