Recommendations for a shady spot next year

[Ricardo]

I've dug over another small veg patch and I am looking at next year's crops. Can anybody suggest a veg that doesn't mind a bit of shade. Plot is sheltered and well draining.
I tried leeks and cabbage this year with little success. Leeks (Guardsman) are still very spindly and the cabbages (Capriccio Primo)haven't really formed hearts as yet.

[Florence Fennel]

If it's partially shady you should be able to grow most things, particularly leaves and stems, so I'm surprised the cabbages didn't do better. If it's totally in the shade I think you'll struggle to grow anything other than shade loving flowers and shrubs. Lettuce grows well in partial shade.

[shona_b]

herbs might be a good idea:
•Most Mints. Some will lose a bit of colour - especially the bronzes.
•Lemon and other Balms. With Lemon Balm, any self-sown seedlings will be green and not variegated like the parent.
•Thymes of all description. They are showy when in flower, and great ground coverers.
•Sages - including the variegated and coloured foliage types.
•Hyssop
•Chives - including Garlic Chives do really well in shaded places.
•Oregano - surprisingly as it is of Mediterranean origins.
•Woodruff - normally associated with woodland settings in the wild.
•Comfreys - especially the low growing types which are good ground coverers in shaded places.
•A large bush - or tree The Bay will also do well in shade!

[shona_b]

Also the annuals:
•Chamomile - which will probably self seed itself, so will provide perpetual interest in light shaded areas.
•Chervil
•Dill
•Ginger - not actually an annual, but treated as such as it is not hardy. Dig it up before winter sets in.
•Parsley - best treated as an annual though actually a biennial! The curly leaf and flat leaved varieties do quite well in shade.
•Angelica - treat as annual - is a great herb for brightening up a shaded place. Grows to a metre or so in one year.


p.s i didn't make this up - i stole it as have researched myself previously! Herbs Suitable for growing Shaded areas of the Garden.