Best Salad Greens to Grow in Part Shade and Low Light Gardens

Vegetables usually need 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily to convert carbon dioxide and water into the essential nutrients they require for growth, though some leafy greens may do better under shade conditions.

Arugula, sorrel, bok choy and head lettuces (such as romaine) grow easily in shade conditions; Kale, endive and cress also tolerate this environment well.

Parsnips

Parsnips, unlike many greens, thrive best when exposed to full sun to partial shade in USDA growing zones 2-9. While preferring shade on hot days, parsnips still tolerate bright sunlight and can even tolerate frost damage.

To cultivate long taproots, direct-sow seeds outdoors directly in garden beds or raised beds where soil depth and consistency is optimal. Mulching should also be implemented frequently to keep weeds at bay around your plants.

Parsnips are relatively pest-proof, although nematodes and carrot flies may present problems. Furthermore, parsnip canker, a fungal disease characterized by black or purplish lesions on roots, can occur. Harvesting begins 120-140 days post germination and continues into fall when light frosts can help sweeten roots further.

Peas

Many vegetables require direct sunlight and heat in order to reach maturity, yet some species thrive even in shaded gardens. Leafy greens such as arugula and mustard from the Brassica family will tolerate some shade.

Spinach, sorrel, kale, Swiss chard, endive and cress all thrive in partial shade conditions. Sturdier greens such as bok choy and komatsuna/tatsoi may also thrive when grown under partial shade conditions; however, midday sun protection should be provided to avoid bolting (going to seed).

Leeks are another easy vegetable to cultivate in shade conditions, though a bit of sunlight would help prevent woodiness or bitterness from setting in. Harvestable from either the ground or from small planting pots, leeks make an excellent replacement for onions or garlic in recipes.

Beans

Although most vegetables require full sunlight for optimal harvests, some plants are more tolerant of partial shade conditions than others. Arugula and looseleaf lettuce thrive under partial shading conditions while even head lettuce varieties like romaine can be grown successfully with harvests spaced out throughout their growing seasons.

Beans, both bush and pole varieties, make excellent candidates for partially shaded gardens. Beans thrive in cooler temperatures and benefit from having shade to avoid scorching summer heat. Leafy greens such as bok choy, komatsuna and tatsoi thrive when given only brief exposure to direct sunlight each day; otherwise they prefer being protected from harsh midday sun through shade that provides protection from harsh midday rays – providing additional cooling properties and lengthening their harvesting season.

Beets

Many vegetables do well when grown under partial shade and scattered sunlight throughout the day, such as leafy greens.

Beets are an incredible salad addition and are great at tolerating some shade. To maximize drainage and control weed growth, they’re best grown in raised garden beds or large containers for best drainage and weed prevention.

Spinach is another leafy vegetable that thrives in shaded conditions and cool temperatures; it even tolerates some light frost. As temperatures heat up during the summer months, spinach becomes susceptible to bolting (setting seed), so growing it in an shady spot may extend its productivity into autumn.

Swiss chard is another cool-weather vegetable that thrives under some shade and grows quickly. Direct sow it and thin as necessary; or harvest mature leaves as new ones appear! Swiss chard can even be grown as an “ongoing crop,” by simply picking off older leaves as new ones appear.

Radishes

Most vegetables need direct sunlight (6-8 hours a day) in order to thrive and flourish, though there are some leafy greens like kale and lettuce as well as root veggies such as potatoes, carrots and turnips that do well in partial shade or low light gardens.

Swiss chard (which looks similar to kale, and is biennial) and mustard greens are both easily grown vegetables that thrive under partial shade conditions and quickly produce results. Both species feature beautiful leaves that add color and taste to salads!

Spinach is another excellent option, growing quickly in shaded environments and boasting its unique crinkle texture and peppery taste, which make it an excellent addition to salads as well as tasty side dishes such as cooked vegetables.

Garlic

As with its related plants chives, leeks, and scallions, Society garlic thrives under partial shade conditions. Growing slowly during the heat of summer yet preferring cooler temperatures makes this herbaceous perennial ideal for shade gardens.

Lettuce and kale thrive even under partial shade conditions, although full sunlight exposure is preferred for optimal growth. They need at least six hours of direct sun daily; however, some light shade during the hottest parts of the afternoon should suffice.

Asian greens such as bok choy, pak choi and tatsoi thrive in partial shade when protected by tall trees or buildings, such as those situated around an open space such as an empty lot. Leafy vegetables that mature quickly but don’t produce fruit need only two hours of direct sunlight per day or an indirect wash of light throughout the day for growth and blooming.

Kohlrabi

Kohlrabi is an easy and productive cool-season vegetable to cultivate in partial shade environments, perfect for indoor or outdoor growing from seed or transplant. Water consistently and apply mulch as a moisture retainer; mulch also deters weeds while shielding young plants from slug damage.

Harvest kohlrabi when it has reached golf-ball to tennis-ball size for optimal sweetness, mild flavour, and tender texture. Lightly steam or saute before eating raw in salads and coleslaw dishes.

Sow kohlrabi outdoors between spring and autumn (or even as late as winter in milder areas). Spring sowings generally yield faster, while late summer/autumn sowings provide fresh kohlrabi throughout winter. Protect young plants with cloches or biodegradable fleece to guard them against frosts if necessary; because kohlrabi is susceptible to bolting (flowering prematurely and becoming woody quickly in hot climates), keeping temperatures cool enough is vital to its success.