Planting fruits in shady areas

[Diane D.]

Hi all.
New to the Grapevine and just wondered if anyone had any advice on planting fruit in shaded areas. I have a very large willow hanging over the fence at the bottom of my garden (ITS HUGE!!) and was wanting to plant soft fruit along the length of the fence but it is very shady and wondered what were the best ones to plant, if any?

[Snadger]

Rasps don't mind a bit of dappled shade as they are woodland plants! Likewise blackberries I suppose!

[rustylady]

Only problem is that your willow will take almost all the nutrients and moisture out of the soil. Strawberries and raspberries don't mind shade but don't like being dry at the roots.

[bazzaboy]

oh crikey, Diane D, you've come up with a good puzzle here. Willows are amongst the heaviest users of water - its not for no reason they like to be near rivers or invade drains - and a large willow is estimated at taking several hundred gallons A DAY in summer - eek! Put that fact alongside the fact that soft fruits are mainly made up of water and you can see the problem. If you're sufficiently determined there's usually a way, though in the end you have to decide whether the results are worth the effort.... I think at the very least you'll have to supply water locally (and regularly) - containers might be the answer there, or loops of drip pipe - without water the plant simply can't make the fruit, even if it's managed to produce flowers and get them pollinated... which in shade is also more difficult.... Is it full shade or dappled? The books say that sour cherries (Morello) grow in full shade - and could be trained along wires fixed to the fence. But not easy... One other suggestion, to be a bit more positive.... gooseberries are tough and some varieties will stand a fair degree of shading.... In a container you could not only supply water locally but move it/them to a spot where they get best light. They are also one of the earliest to fruit so would at least get a start before the willow's in full leaf. (They're also a good burglar deterrent, ouch!)

bb

ps don't despair, there are some lovely "dry shade" ornamentals if it's possible to site soft fruit in a more sympathetic spot.