So, I am gardening with less than ideal light conditions, to say the least. I am just kinda winging it and hoping for the best, at this point, I'm mostly pleased that I haven't killed everything 
I'm just wondering how much I can really expect. My garden gets about 7 hours of dappled sunlight (trees overhead and a fence that causes shade for the first few hours of the day). I've been watching and I'd say there is really only about 4-5 hours of really good sunlight. There are always a few shady spots but I have watched and every plant really does get hit with 4-5 or so hours between about 11am and 4pm (with at least some light between 8 and 5). I wasn't expecting perfection and last year grew mostly herbs that would tolerate shade.
This year I am trying squash, tomatoes, and eggplant...I'm wondering if it's going to do much at all. I know I shouldn't expect a fantastic harvest...but maybe a little something? My tomato plant is already tripled in size in less than two weeks, but I know that doesn't mean it's going to produce well, and it could mean it's trying to "reach" for the sun.
I'm planning on planting some more stuff...should I just stick with stuff like lettuce and kale, or can I dare to hope for some yummy tomatoes this year? It seems like everything wants full sun, which frustrates me. I do think I can get the placement of my container garden a bit better than where my raised bed is, so they may get up to 8 hours of dappled sunlight.
There is one bonus: although I don't have full sun going on, I do have heat in my favor. The central valley of CA is a big producer of food for a reason, our growing season is six months long (last frost 3/23 and first is 11/14) and it doesn't get very cold at night. Temps are regularly 85-100+ during the heat of the day and lows in the summer rarely get below 60.
ETA: ok, I feel better after googling and finding this link: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/l...543110833.html
There's hope after all! I really think my stuff will grow ok with the amount of heat we have going on. We shall see!
I'm just wondering how much I can really expect. My garden gets about 7 hours of dappled sunlight (trees overhead and a fence that causes shade for the first few hours of the day). I've been watching and I'd say there is really only about 4-5 hours of really good sunlight. There are always a few shady spots but I have watched and every plant really does get hit with 4-5 or so hours between about 11am and 4pm (with at least some light between 8 and 5). I wasn't expecting perfection and last year grew mostly herbs that would tolerate shade.
This year I am trying squash, tomatoes, and eggplant...I'm wondering if it's going to do much at all. I know I shouldn't expect a fantastic harvest...but maybe a little something? My tomato plant is already tripled in size in less than two weeks, but I know that doesn't mean it's going to produce well, and it could mean it's trying to "reach" for the sun.
I'm planning on planting some more stuff...should I just stick with stuff like lettuce and kale, or can I dare to hope for some yummy tomatoes this year? It seems like everything wants full sun, which frustrates me. I do think I can get the placement of my container garden a bit better than where my raised bed is, so they may get up to 8 hours of dappled sunlight.
There is one bonus: although I don't have full sun going on, I do have heat in my favor. The central valley of CA is a big producer of food for a reason, our growing season is six months long (last frost 3/23 and first is 11/14) and it doesn't get very cold at night. Temps are regularly 85-100+ during the heat of the day and lows in the summer rarely get below 60.
ETA: ok, I feel better after googling and finding this link: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/l...543110833.html
There's hope after all! I really think my stuff will grow ok with the amount of heat we have going on. We shall see!
