Erica Groneman + photo

Erica Groneman

Jun 8
2 min read
bubble 0
row of green vegetables

All vegetables and herbs need at least some sunlight each day to thrive, but if you have a part of your yard or garden that is shaded part or most of the time by a natural or manmade structure, don’t cast that area off as not cultivable. There is a variety of shade-tolerant crops that can thrive in these conditions.

In general, if a vegetable has a blossom (like squash, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, or melons), it needs full sun. However, veggies that grow underground (like leeks, onions, or root vegetables) do well in shade. Others that grow well in the shade include vegetables that love cold weather (like peas, beans, and herbs). Brassicas (like broccoli, cauliflower, or kohlrabi) are also very shade tolerant. Look for varieties that are part-sun or shade tolerant when you are planning and planting your garden.

By being aware of the sunlight in various areas of your yard, you can optimize your garden space, maximize your crop, and ensure the best chance of success for your plants to thrive. To help you gain a better understanding of how to track the sunlight in your own garden, or potential garden keep an eye out for our Sun Mapping post.

Happy Gardening!

Become a True Leaf Market Brand Ambassador! You’ll enjoy awesome perks, free products and exclusive swag & offers! Help us create a gardening revolution and help others experience the joy of growing!

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

0 Comments

No Comments yet! Be the first to start a conversation

  1. Everbearing vs June Bearing Strawberry TypesStrawberries on a white table

    Everbearing vs June Bearing Strawberry Types

    Written By Lara Wadsworth Strawberries are one of America’s favorite fruits from adult to child. With the average American consuming 8 pounds of strawberries annually, it is hard to ignore these sweet little fruits. Growing strawberries at home is not ...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2025-01-21
    5 min read
    bubble 0
  2. Sachem Seed Library: Establishing Gardens and Connecting CommunitySachem Public Library Seed Library 2024 Display

    Sachem Seed Library: Establishing Gardens and Connecting Community

    There are always members of your community that can be helped through gardening. The Sachem Public Library has created greater access to gardening and fresh, healthy foods in their community by creating a seed library where local patrons can access fre...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2025-01-20
    3 min read
    bubble 2
  3. Sprout for Health - Wheatgrass and Superfoodssprout for health header green with sprout illustrations

    Sprout for Health - Wheatgrass and Superfoods

    This week is all about wheatgrass and superfoods. When people think about eating healthy, they often focus on calorie counting and portion sizes, but we want to focus on the quality of the food being consumed instead. Healthy foods are less about numbe...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2025-01-20
    4 min read
    bubble 0
  4. Sprout for Health - Check Your Micro-GainsSprout for Health Blog Header

    Sprout for Health - Check Your Micro-Gains

    Are you ready for some micro-gains this week? As part of our month-long Sprout for Health Challenge, we are growing microgreens and strong, healthy habits one day at a time. Microgreens may seem small and insignificant, but their potential to support g...


    Ashleigh Smith + photo

    Ashleigh Smith

    2025-01-14
    4 min read
    bubble 1