Kitchen Garden Forum

The plot in the bottom right corner of our site was taken over by a nice couple, very ably helped by the ladies father.
He has worked hard on it over the last few months.

Originally, late last year, they were offered just the front half of the plot, the back half being offered to others on the waiting list all of whom turned it down. The reason being that it has a laurel hedge about 9ft high which creates a shady section.



As no one would take it on the couple with the front half asked if they could take it on and were told yes



Question is, anyone any ideas what edible item(s) might grow in such a shaded area.
The sun travels from left to right behind the hedge for the morning and most of the afternoon.
There may be a little sun on that part late afternoon / early evening



What I find ironic is that the previous tenant, who was a landscape gardener, made a very solid base and stuck a 8 x 6 shed made out of pallets on the front of the plot. It would have made more sense to have put it in the shaded section next to an existing shed.

The camera aperture has made the area look lighter than it actually is

herbs in pots? mint will grow practically anywhere, so thats a good one
Rhubarb does ok in shade, but wont be as productive (thinner stems)
Blackberries and raspberry's should be ok, but the most shade i've grown them in is 2-3 hours sun
I assume pruning back the laurel hedge is out of the question?

Dan

Thanks for the thoughts.

Hadn't thought about herbs
I did think about rhubarb but do wonder if the shade would be like part forcing it, as you suggest might result in thin stems perhaps. Also wonder if the crown would last long.

Pruning the hedge is not an option, it runs up the entire length of site at a standard height, separating 17 plots from the bungalows next door. All those plots suffer a degree of shade as a result but none as badly as that bottom corner. It is cut back annually.

I'm not affected in any way, my plots aren't by the hedge so I have never bothered to find out who arranges and pays for the pruning.

Could he not move the shed into the corner

Move the shed is my first thought.

People are too inclined to accept shed positions when it's a one time effort to move them against a yearly struggle with shade.

Is that shed in the picture the one you refer to that has already been moved or, like Peter says, could the other one move to join it?
Compost heaps and Rhubarb come to mind. Summer salad should do OK. If it is used for growing anything perhaps consider a root stopping trench and membrane.

Thanks for the replies, logic has said to me all along that moving the shed is the best answer. The shed in the pictures is a smaller old one that is fine where it is.

The other bigger shed that was made by the previous tenant may be considered by some to be a total bodge anyway ( maybe most even). It was only made a couple of years ago but wouldn't survive being moved in my view.

I'm afraid it is a case of lack of forward planning when they took the plot on, now there is reluctance to do away with it, which is about the best thing that could happen, replace it with a properly made one and put it on the shaded spot where growth will be poor.

Purpose of asking here is to see if anyone has any viable alternative suggestion..

spinach will prefer shade, as it will bolt in the hot sun. I always try to plant mine behind taller plants so that it doesn't get too hot!

Thanks Retro, spinach could be worth looking into.

Geoff wrote:Is that shed in the picture the one you refer to that has already been moved or, like Peter says, could the other one move to join it?
Compost heaps and Rhubarb come to mind. Summer salad should do OK. If it is used for growing anything perhaps consider a root stopping trench and membrane.

Hi Geoff
The shaded area was in fact a big compost heap when they took it on. Something had made a bit of a den in it. Big enough to have been cat or fox.
They cleared the compost heap out by spreading it over plot.
I was wondering about salad crops, perhaps beetroot, carrots.

I think I will be on a hiding to nothing suggesting they move the shed. By move I actually mean do away with it and replace it.

My rhubarb is bordered by a line of silver birch to the South West so gets just a couple of hours sun. It does very well. I also have comfrey there as well as blueberries which seem happy enough.

if they do decide to grow spinach/salad leaves they'll need to watch out for moisture levels of course, as spinach also does not like it dry, and the hedge will be taking a lot of the moisture away.

Rhubarb, Swiss chard, spinach should be fine.
I also wonder whether some tall raised beds or deep barrels would enable their contents to catch a little more sun, at least in the highest part of the season.

I have a couple of blackberries on a north facing fence which get little sunshine but always crop well. The fruit just ripens a little later than the berries on a south facing fence. I also have a mature sage bush which gets hardly any sun on a north facing bed but that has never stopped it growing so large that I am for ever having to prune it back.

There is no doubt that other peoples' tall hedges, especially when they consist of conifers or laurels, while offering them privacy, can be a real pain in the backside to those on the other side, especially their neighbours are keen gardeners and I do wish people would exercise a little more consideration and "try walking in the other person's shoes".

If you check local bylaws you will find that 6 feet is the accepted height anything taller needs planning permission

Thanks for the thoughts and suggestions.

When I saw the father on the plot earlier the conversation went like this

Me:- I've had a few replies and suggestions re the shaded spot on your plot.
Him:- Really, that was quick

Me:- Yep, they got straight on the case with a few suggestions such as rhubarb or salad crops and guess what the consensus of opinion was
Him:- Move the shed!!

He recognises its the best way long term. Problem lies in the fact he has to persuade his daughter & son in law. Reckons that if it happens at all it wont be until next winter now. So some of the planting ideas you have proffered may well get implemented this season.