10 tips for growing veg in shade

Grow veg that can tolerate shade

Although a sunny spot is ideal for most vegetables, some, including beetroot, radish and salad leaves, will grow in shade. For some crops, such as salad, protection from summer heat can be a positive advantage. Discover the 10 best vegetable crops for shade.

Sow seeds in a bright spot

Sow seeds in a sunny spot, to get them off to the best start, then transplant to a shadier area once they have established a good root system. Alternatively sow on a bright windowsill.

Sowing seeds outdoors in a shallow drill

Grow crops up supports

Choose crops that can be grown up supports and into the light, such as runner beans, French beans and courgette 'Tromboncino' - this needs sun but can be trained up a frame so that the fruit can ripen in the warm light.

Runner beans growing up a support — Runner beans growing up a wigwam support

Attract pollinating insects

Grow annual flowers, such as cornflowers and borage, among veg to lure pollinating and beneficial insects - there will be fewer of these in shade.

Borage flower — Blue flowers and furry foliage of borage

Plant away from the base of walls

Plant slightly away from the base of walls, where shade is most dense and the soil is often poor and dry. Add plenty of well-rotted garden compost or animal manure to help the soil retain water, improve its structure and encourage plants to establish.

Sowing crops near a wall — Sowing seeds at the front of a border beside a wall

Thin out seedlings

Give plants space by thinning out seedlings and don't overcrowd beds. Poor air circulation can encourage problems such as botrytis and mildews, and shady places can be damp, perfect for fungal diseases to thrive.

Protect against slugs and snails

Protect plants against slugs and snails, which love damp shade. Place cloches or gritty compost around young plants and use all the traps and deterrents you can, from beer traps to copper tape on pots.

Bounce light around

Maximise available light by creating reflective surfaces around your growing space. Paint walls and fences white, or attach mirrors or boards covered in aluminium foil to bounce light around.

White wall behind tomatoes — A white wall behind tomato plants

Grow in raised beds

Build raised beds or grow in containers to lift plants up and out of the densest shade. Grow crops in light plastic or fibreglass pots so they can be moved to the sun to help them fruit and ripen.