Frustrated beyond belief!!

[Shenjall]

I cant plant anything!!! I live in a zone 2b, which sucks to begin with but add on the fact my neighbours have these massive frickin trees/shrubs that they dont take care of so it blocks almost any sun coming into my yard.


I've given up on veggie gardening, but would still like to landscape my yard with some kind of plants.

Any ideas for hardy shade plants? Or just some encouragement?

[lunarlady]

There are tons of shade hardy plants. Just go to the nursury and look for those that they grow in the shade on purpose! Yes, the selection is smaller than the "full sun" plants, but there are still quite a few. And there are some veggies, like peas, spinich, and even some squash, that will also grow in partial sun/shade conditions. So don't despair! You will just have to look a little longer to find what works in your yard.

[Shenjall]

Peas and spinich? Really? Cool. I have some spots at the back of my house that are part sun/shade but I didnt think I could actually find veggies to grow there. Actually, I always thought of "against the house" gardens to be more flowers than anything.

Thanks!

[JamieCatheryn]

Pea plants on a nice trellis are quite beautiful and do flower. Lettuces love the cool and part shade too.

[Shenjall]

I'm getting quite excited. Why didnt I think of veggies against my house?

I cant remember off hand...green/yellow beans....full sun or no? I'd love to have some type of plant on a trellis back there....

[goldfinches]

I planted my peas up against my house on trellises this year. They're doing great! They get shade for probably about half the day, I believe we face east, so they get morning sun. I also planted lettuce and swiss chard there, they are also doing very well. Oh, and carrots and radishes.

[Shenjall]

I thought carrots needed full sun? If they dont, then woo woo!!!!

[lightheart]

Hostas are pretty, not edable, but they can take shade.

[Owen'nZoe]

You'll just need to get a little creative. As others have said, greens and peas may not mind the shade. Also, there are perennials you can plant that will be ornamental and edible if you are interested.

-Ostrich Ferns - grow to zone 3, so I'd give them a try if I were in 2b. They are beautiful, like shade, and once they're established you can eat the fiddleheads.
- Chives are hardy to zone 3, so I'd try those near a building, too. Again, they are beautiful, yummy, and will grow in shade.
- Some serviceberries (amelanchers) are listed as hardy to zone 3, so I'd try a hardy variety and see what it does. Amelancher berries are yummy, and serviceberries are an understory tree, so they'd do fine with the shade.
-I've read of people growing tart cherries in your zone. Pie cherries can also take some shade.
-Some currants and gooseberries are rated to zone 2, and again, some shade would be OK.

Best of luck - hope you are able to find some fun and exciting things to grow!