Most of our vegetables tend to want the sunny spot of the yard...I don't know about you, but my planting area does not receive full sun all day long. One of my solutions is to relegate those that DO need the sunnier spots to the best strip of the area and bring in some not so picky about full sun plants! So, where is the sunny side of the yard?
It starts right about here, where my rooftop garden sits, in the picture, and extends the length of the patio. It's not actually part of the working yard area, but I've staked it out as 'my plot'! It's kind of been rearranged now; the rooftop garden is at the other end of the patio area. And, I'll have table areas for my elevated garden on both sides of my greenhouse.
So...what am I going to do? The front yard used to be shaded by a huge pecan tree. It was well over 50 years old, well over! It finally fell to disease, and was cut down last year. I've never had a chance to plant anything out there before, it was so shaded. So, this year, without the tree, I'll have a sunnier area in front. It's still only partial sun, though, for the most part, due to the way the houses are laid out...Not too much I can do about that one! But, I'll have some extended growing areas.
The magical pecan stump gets pretty good sunlight in mid-morning...not ideal, but we'll do what we can. Last year, it was only a bed for wild flower garden...It was a jungle after it all grew in!!! This year, I'll try some partial sun loving plants. So, I've been checking around...here's what I've come up with...
These guys don't require full sun...our Leaf Lettuces...Romaine (pictured above in its regrowing stage) and other Leaf Lettuces; the Swiss Chards, Arugula and Mesclun Greens, and Spinach! Peas don't require full sun, so I can plant those around the tree and they can climb the craggy bark...so Peas, Snap Peas and Snow Peas can go and grow together.
web image
And, from what I'm reading, Broccoli, Cauliflower and Brussels Sprouts can do with less sunlight, too. Check!
Maybe this year, I'll get a harvest! Last year, I was pretty much growing Brussels Sprouts as an ornamental, cos it sure wasn't producing! Hahaha!
And, I'm reading that these underground growers are okay with less sunlight, too...our Beets of all types and our Radishes...I've got some really nice varieties coming in. While I was shopping the other day, I came across this grow bag raised bed...it happens to be the exact size of my round table that I have outside! I'm thinking this might be perfect for those semi-sun loving plants! And, if not...it CAN be moved! I love it!
web image
I've got some of my tomato seeds planted in eggshell halves, in their egg cartons...I'm itching to get some peppers in their starters...not a lot I can do to speed things up! And, so, until my seeds, and supplies arrive, I'll be planning and dreaming...in shades of green!
Until tomorrow...everyone just keep on Steeming on!