Best Container Vegetables to Grow in the Shade

brussel sprouts

We tried growing brussel sprouts in a semi-shady spot last year. They did great, but were attacked by worms and we weren’t able to save a single one. Advice? 
-Sincerely, Ms. Brown Thumb

lessons of life, utilising the soil to feed ourselves. this is true empowerment

I have Swiss Chard and Parsley in two different spots.  One with sun and one shade.  The sun is three times the size as those in shade but the shade ones look fine and taste fine.  Just smaller.

Hello, handsome and smart Urban Organic Gardener!!! Many blessings from Mexico! I’ve shared your information with my contacts and with my best friend. We are going to find a way to plant some of the nine options that you mentioned in this article. My best friend insists that the container must be ceramic or glass so that the BPA’s from the plastic containers do not get into our food (Bisphenol-A). What do you think? Would glass containers work just the same? Much love from Mexico!!!

That’s what’s up. Love it.

Exactly. Still possible. We all love the sunlight!

 Thanks for the vote of confidence!  Definitely will do   My husband did suggest creating some kind of a barrier, like thin netting, to cover the area and try and help keep some of the bugs away.  Do you think this would be a good idea to try?

What if you have a porch that gets ONLY shade – 0% direct sunlight? Any veggies might grow there?
 

Love the “lists” and your newsletter , thanks.
Being in the Northwest this list will help a lot!

I have radish and three types of lettuce seedlings that are doing amazing on my shady patio! I am planning to start a bean real soon, too. I adore sprouts but I’m afraid they get way too big for a patio garden, are there any mini versions that you know of? Thanks!

Give these some ones a shot to see what works.

Mini versions of sprouts?

Keepin it real. Keepin it simple ;p

brussel sprouts?! Woooooo!

 There’s a variety called Lemon Basil that does better in shade than other basils. It has a lemony flavor, but that works for me just fine. Just be careful not to over water anything that lives in the shade.

I’m a gardening virgin but I think I’ll attempt tomatoes, beans, broccoli and arugula. 

Get it!

Word. Let’s keep it as simple as possible on this.

Thanks so much Mike awesome list! I’m lucky because i have both types of areas on my terrece. so on the shady walls im going to plant out with leafy greens. But I have a question…. Im more worried about the non shady areas as i live in madrid it gets mad hot and i dont want to scorch my plants by putting them in areas with 100 percent light.. so what can i grow in the hot hot sun that wont get damaged… tomatoes…. cumcumbers????? and what else is their?thatnks buddy!

nice bro. pretty much anything that is going to flower and fruit – tomatoes, cucumber, peppers, zucchini, eggplant.

Hey, I had this problem planning my starter garden today. Its a pain in the ass googleing everything so thanks for the email.

Good stuff.

I hear that. That’s why I started the site to make it simple for you.

Hi! This is my first year to grow a garden.  i am  a little scared and just want a good turn out! i have pumpkin, spinach, romaine, tomatoes, green beans, bell and sweet peppers, and cauliflower.  some of things were just a project for my kiddos and i want to plant them just so they can see a turnout.  is it okay to plant everything together or do i need to seperate them?  i also wanted to grow jalapenos and strawberries.  is corn something easily grown in a small garden in oklahoma?  thank you for  your time!

I’m trying a small bed in my back yard. It gets dappled shade, I did my research and planted bush beans, peas, some lettuce plants from my neighbor, meseculan greens and some herbs. All are starting to poke out except for some spinach, I was told spinach was dummy proof, apparently not!

Zone 3  = need ample time to grow anything, I have a raised garden with a rain barrel too far away to be of any use which is why I’m looking at shade veggies. So suggestions?

I am growing cucumber, tomatoes,peppers, beets, spinach, bell pepper, egg plant, sorrel,parlsley, rosemary , tai basil, sweet basil , mint, Nero cabbage onions, potatoes.

I get full sun on one side of my house and deck so I had to put a row cover over my raised garden. The sun was burning the plants. I get full shade on he right side of my house. I live in southern Alabama on the gulf.

Plan on growing peas, greens, beans, beets, scallion, radish.

Broccoli and beans and thank you !!!!

I’m definitely planting peas, radishes, and beets in the shade! Thanks for the tips!

Word.

Check out this link Susan http://www.urbanorganicgardener.com/2012/01/how-to-determine-the-amount-of-sunlight-your-garden-gets/

Get it!

already started growing lettuce and loving it.

Our brussels sprouts are thriving in our semi-shaded raised bed. Can’t wait to try fresh-off-the-stalk.

First time ever: I’ve got beans, peas, lettuce, carrotts – doing very well in our little apt backyard.

Thank you mike I have whined for years I could not grow anything for lack if sun! I am experimenting with some herbs and greens.

It really depends on which part of the day your garden receives its less than 6 hours worth of sun.  Morning sun or evening sun provides your plants with much less light than the sun in the middle of the day.  I live in Kansas and my raised bed garden only receives 5 hours of light a day but still produces tomatoes, sweet peppers, and eggplant.  It gets its sun between 10-3.  The fruits are smaller as compared to those in other gardens I have in which plants receive around 8 or 9 hours, but it is still possible to do with less than 6 hours.

Garlic… grows anywhere, in the raised beds, in containers, sun, shade and at anytime of the year.  Doesn’t like the summer here in Florida, but I still have a few plants out there that I pull up and use for cooking!  All my leafy greens are currently in the shade – attempting to still have salad through the summer heat, they’ve usually bolted by now in previous years, but Im managing to continuously harvest at the moment – mostly micro, baby size, but hey, whatever works!!! Still yummy!  Happy gardening!

Patience is key

Help!
I live in a ground floor flat, I have no garden at all. My flat is on the corner of a street, so 2 sides of the building are basically on the street footpath. The only area I have available is a small undercover area at the back of the flat (under the upper flats stairwell). It gets very little light, and is facing completely the wrong way for direct sunlight at any time other than sunset… I was hoping to plant something in a tub in that area, but so far I haven’t bothered… I just assume that with all the love care and attention I can offer, I will still never get anything to grow here.
Everything I have found online suggests that a ‘little shade’ is ok, but I’m not sure what I have qualifies as even that. Any ideas anyone?!

Thanks for this list- I am doomed to Portland shade but I still want to grow something!

for people who have 4 to 6 hours of morning sunlight, I think that cherry tomatoes do just fine and produce the most abundant crop possible per plant.