Plant These Shade Friendly Crops for Low Light Gardening Success

With 4-6 hours of light, what can you actually grow? A lot to be honest! In this episode we cover the crops you can plant with 6 hours or less of sunlight, and with this information, even a shady spot can be a productive garden!
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[@candidegunn3624]

Several years ago, I bought one of your mixed pack seeds at the end of the year and there was a pack of asparagus seeds in it. I had no idea what to do with them so I planted the whole pack in a 5 gallon grow bag...I think every seed came up! Hubby carefully separated them and planted them in the brick flower bed in the front of the house and we have had asparagus ever since. So if I can grow them on accident, those are some good seeds LOL!

[@657449]

Great video

[@jeas4980]

I've found that living in a very warm humid environment (196 growing days) I get much better results planting PEPPPERS in the shade of my sheds and house... I'm talking Northwest facing shade. Turns out they love the warmth... not so crazy about direct sunlight at all... they get about 3 hours of evening sun and I get my best yields in that location of my crop rotation.

[@daniellebailey6802]

Oooh I'll have to try this!

[@groworforage342]

can confirm this works in low humidity too. 6a, 115 high temp, very very low humidity last summer and the peppers w/ afternoon shade couldn't have been happier.

[@rickytorres9089]

That's crazy obversation, it's the warmth they really need not so much light hours!

[@anidnmeno]

YAY PEPPPERS

[@rickytorres9089]

@@anidnmeno Yup, apparently they like strawberries if they are GENERALLY small peppers. They do need sun just like any fruiting crop but not as much as you might think.

[@cherylcapelety2573]

Crops that need only 3 to 5 hours of direct sun light 1) Herbs (chives, parsley, sage, thyme, stinging nettle, spearmint, mint in general, catnip) 2) Leafy vegetables ( mustard greens, kale, shiso, hon tsai tai, claytonia a.k.a. miners lettuce, lettuce, swiss chard) 3) shoots (asparagus, celery ) 4) roots ( beets, carrots, radish )

[@blackrock5749]

Perfect timing for this video because I’m trying to grow as much possible on a fifth of an acre. I have some spots around my house that get lower light and now I can plan to put these plants there and save my minimal sunny areas for the plants that really need it. 😊

[@blackrock5749]

@@liliblumenberg1124 thank you so much for taking the time to share this with me. I will definitely go check it out.

[@lisascott9670]

This was very encouraging! After many failed attempts I’m moving forward with enthusiasm in my ability to grow something to fruition! Thanks

[@TM.BECK14]

I feel you - I'm trying to grow as much as I can on less than a 1/10 of an acre. Wishing you the best of luck!

[@madeuce3011]

I am thrilled to find asparagus roots can be spring planted

[@jeanpaeth7424]

I decided to order my whole garden MIgardener seeds. Just a experiment ..wish me luck and ill let you know 🥦

[@joshcrocker4596]

Is it weird that seeing so many seeds are sold out on the stores website makes me happy? Congratulations on such a successful business. Thanks for all of the great videos

[@rickytorres9089]

In the meantime this would be a wonderful time to try the "world" of seed exchanges, groups and other foundations and programs! Experimental Farm Network might comes to mind for starters. :)

[@ancientorganicarts2310]

That intro music brings back great memories of when I binged watched all of your videos in my beginning gardening phase, thanks Luke have a great day!

[@sheliaheverin8822]

Most of my garden is experimentation. If it doesn't work out, I either change or don't grow it again.

[@paul.1337]

I planted Singing Nettle at my nemesis' house and it's done exceedingly well! Highly recommended!

[@mother8696]

😂😂😂

[@mamabeargardens9439]

Singing Nettle might be my new favorite typo :)

[@rickytorres9089]

As for fruits, you can try your luck with strawberries, they even make great cover crops and inter cropping in better conditions too.

[@julieagain]

Just wanted to say I received my seeds 2 weeks ago & started them. Every single seed germinated! Not 1 fail. Thanks so much. Can wait to reap my harvest!!!

[@markrasmussen8446]

After so many painful encounters with stinging nettle hiking in the mountains it amazes me people want to actually plant and grow that beast!

[@ilovemichigan-1111]

The health benefits outweigh anything 🤩 that's my reason for wanting to still deal with it.

[@kikinoel5762]

I JUST got a notification that the seeds I ordered are out for delivery!!!!! Love from 🇨🇦 🍁 🤩

[@elliottmcfadden6261]

In the fruit category, I’ve done well with bush beans and cherry tomatoes in the 4-5 hour range, especially as the days get long and hot. In the root category, potatoes do fine in this range too. I’d also add amaranth in the leaves and fruit (seeds for flour) category.

[@josiahbowden1451]

I might be ordering a lot of Seeds from your store 2 dallers a pack

[@MushroomMagpie]

Hostas have edible shoots and can be eaten much like asparagus, for anyone looking for a complete shade crop. Gout weed also likes shade and is tasty and edible.

[@terrisouthernplainsprepper5927]

Have you thought about selling Mexican Oregano seeds?

[@Eliezer737]

Hi Luke, QUESTION , I was able to grow radishes last year but they were not firm at all, what am I missing? Thank you!

[@loverlyredhead]

Did you cut the tops off right after harvesting? Radishes and carrots will go limp if the tops are left on too long after picking.

[@denisebayer8748]

I see your concrete blocks.... what are your thoughts about growing herbs in them?

[@jerridombrowski6017]

🤣 "Not that you should look into the sun.." That made me laugh

[@8arrows]

I just moved today. And my new place has very low sunlight. Only 3-4 hours of summer sun. It was as if Luke was reading my mind. Needed this.

[@wardsdotnet]

Fennel is another one. It grows wild here as a part of the undergrowth

[@Floraltherapyfe]

I did not realize asparagus would work in lower light. Thanks for the tips!

[@rickytorres9089]

I couldn't believe peppers do too IF they get the heat they wants.

[@ebgstuff]

Love this video. We r raising chickens and wanted to put a pot of the herbs for them. One is marjoram and not sure how much light it needs.

[@ebgstuff]

Also I have never heard of some you mentioned. Thank you for the education. I love trying new things.

[@trishthehomesteader9873]

Thank you Luke! Blessings!💚🌱🌻🌿

[@gamespun4440]

That is an excellent sized greenhouse!!!

[@soulseeker42388]

I would like to see a video on crops that can be planted near a street light. I notice my pepper plant don't seem to like my neighbors dusk to dawn light and produce less fruit then when they got full night of dark.

[@bobert59]

Thank you for including the list off to the side it really helps.

[@froginprogress8510]

I live in western Washington, and miner's lettuce is everywhere here. It will grow in direct sunlight just fine, but by June, it's pretty well all gone to seed already. Temperature sensitive more than light sensitive. Just my personal experience with it. If you do have it around, trim the little seed pods when they start to dry, because once they do dry, they will burst open and throw tiny black seeds everywhere.

[@KK7THK]

I’m in SW WA (just across the river from Troutdale)- is there a general location you find this in? I have a “green space” behind my house, but I’ve never found it here in any spaces

[@froginprogress8510]

@@KK7THK Jefferson County, just East of the Olympic National Forest. It looks very different at each stage of growth.

[@XAVargasX0206]

I grew stinging nettle one year, can't get rid of it now lol. I've had catnip start in the fall and grow all winter here in Oregon with little sun, very easy and hardy

[@annakozlowski4837]

Blessings your way to you Luke and your Precious Family as 🌹 Thanks for the info so practical and so needed going to start sowing your seeds😊

[@jacobspei4035]

Learn what you can grow is great advice.

[@helen2061]

Thanks Luke! Every year my beautiful trees get bigger. My garden is now a shade garden. Thank you!

[@NuggetFarm2011]

Great video, Luke! Thank you!!

[@Erika-gm2tf]

Thanks, Luke! In the past few years, 3 story condos have cropped up around my little bungalow in the city. 3 years ago, the coup de grace was the condo on the south side of my property. It's made gardening increasingly challenging. Today’s post is very heartening.

[@kaylabryson1932]

No.45 sit for soprano handal

[@gardenstatesowandsew]

Thank you. Very interesting and helpful

[@marnieanderson4257]

I have parsley that volunteered from fallen seed under my porch.. very little light & thrives all winter. It pokes out through the lattice. ❤

[@michaelbrown270]

I live in miner's lettuce territory (western Washington). I used to lead a student naturalists club when I was teaching (now retired). We would walk through the woods by our school and I would talk with the students about all the things we saw. When I first learned about miner's lettuce I picked some and tried it. When I told my students about it some wanted to try it too! Dangerous territory for a teacher! But I was confident they'd be okay and said to go ahead. This was 25+ years ago and I probably wouldn't let them taste it without parent involvement now. Cheers!

[@purplechris9480]

I've had really good luck growing lettuce all summer in the shade in pots.

[@sarahingham8345]

Got a more shady area in my garden, this helps!

[@ShannonGomillion]

Thank you! This very question has been on my mind for about a month. Perfect timing. 😃

[@Warrior-In-the-Garden]

Great video Luke. It's absolutely adorable how you talk about windowsill gardening when you and the Mrs. were in an apt. Made me tear up. So happy for your growing family (plants included.) And wow might try Claytonia again. It died in full sun a few yrs back.

[@BarbieBarbieto19]

Thanks for this! However, I can never figure out what you guys mean when you say "full light" and "partial light" because most plants will die in full sun out here in the tropics in the summer. :( It's actually a matter of trying and failing and trying until something succeeds over here. :D

[@hopeking3588]

I do great with kale!

[@darla123]

Thanks, Luke!

[@heathercovington3945]

I don't know if this has been asked but does a window count as direct light or is it considered filtered light because of the glass?

[@bobbun9630]

Mushrooms. Wine Caps and some types of oysters are suitable for a woodchip bed in a shady area. Some research will be necessary to determine when to build the bed and what varieties are most suitable for your location.

[@krazedvintagemodel]

Thanks for this fresh perspective on light , as this will encourage new gardeners. I would add, as the seasons progress, those hours of direct sun will increase as days lengthen until midsummer, then slowly decrease. Peace🌻

[@janaehaase1104]

I needed this video! I appreciate this video so much, I’ve been looking for a low light growing list everywhere on KZbin!

[@robertlowery8700]

Great information. Thank you.

[@TrixieJFerguson]

What are your top three reasons to grow stinging nettle? I live in South-Central TX (zone 8B) and stinging nettle is something we have battled to eradicate since as long as I’ve been alive on this earth. Please tell me what it’s good for?

[@AliciaMcIntire]

I think that it can be made into tea

[@monicadelarosa7712]

You can eat it cooked like a green vegetable. It is very high in nutrients.

[@dennisjohnson4228]

Like comfrey, it's an excellent fertilizer. It's also very nutritious.There are stories of people surviving for extended periods of time stinging nettles alone.

[@dalegaa4094]

Good information to know.

[@joesqudy]

Thank you Luke, very timely. I am setting up a new bed it’s going to be in a partially shaded area, and you just confirmed what I wanted to grow. Thank you so much as always. God bless! ❌⭕️♥️🙏🏽

[@lcm0578]

Thank you!! Extremely helpful info for a newbie!! Thanks for the tip of Miner's Lettuce -- I live on the coast of the PNW!

[@C5Rose3]

Love this so much! Thank you!!!

[@lazaruslong3D]

Great Video. Thank you. QUESTION: IF (BIG) MIRRORS ARE USED TO REFLECT SUNLIGHT INTO A PARTIALLY SHADY AREA, WILL THAT HELP PLANT GROWTH? (asking for a friend).

[@JenB.188]

Thank you for this video! I have an odd little garden space near my driveway and I've been trying to figure out what I can grow there.

[@lc91902]

Thank you, Luke👏👍

[@janelupo6023]

Very helpful! Thank you!

[@tammydeschenes4857]

Asparagus!? Oh now I’m excited. I’m starting some seeds and was disappointed I didn’t have as much sunny locations to grow this but now I will definitely try in a lower light location which I do have plenty of. Thanks so much!

[@Nikki-mx5my]

Thanks, Luke! This is a great resource for garden enthusiasts that do not have the most idyllic light conditions. I’ll add for those who’d still like some flowers in your low light sun vegetable garden, there are a few you can try that will tolerate lower light. My local seed farm has a shady wild flower garden mix, for instance. Fuchsia actually prefers less sun and hummingbirds love it. I believe both calendula and columbine can take less sun. It’s always worth experimenting. Always good to have something in your garden to support pollinators.

[@dorindafulton]

Great video as always 😊 Thank you for sharing this info ☺️ have a great day and happy gardening 🌿🌱😊🤗

[@Fatimasroots]

This is a great video to give me motivation to give my lower light areas a shot! I’m creating my own videos on apartment gardening and I’m trying to use every inch I have🌿 thanks for the inspo💛

[@fredsnyder3063]

😁 thank you for being a Teacher

[@julieb7068]

Awesome video! Thank you. We have limited sunlight so this is perfect video for us! ❤🎉

[@Day1Fitness]

Thank you Luke

[@patsybulkley]

Great video! It's given me an idea to try growing kale, catnip and mint as a filler in my small shady flower beds. 😃

[@darlenegodin4365]

Just be aware that mint is very invasive. I would only plant in pots and not the garden as it spreads very easily.

[@sarahkibbe2016]

Thank you for posting this. We are extending our garden this year and I'm trying to plan all my space wisely. We have a smaller yard and there is so much wasted space that's not super sunny and knowing what can go there will allow me to leave the sunniest areas for the plants that need the longer direct sun. Your videos are teaching me so much. It is an extra blessing since we are in the same zone as you so it takes so much of the guess work out of things. I tell everyone I know to check your videos and your site out. MI Gardner is a huge blessing to those of us growing in the gardening world.

[@izzyg8316]

This was very reassuring. Thanks!

[@ilovemichigan-1111]

This is the video I needed! Thank you 👍

[@glort4671]

Thank u Luke. I’m new to gardening and started watching your channel. Your video hit the nail why my patio issues. The plants u just mentioned are doing great in my partial or shady area and previously were struggling in a sunnier area. Thank u so so much for confirming this!

[@louisaholman3838]

Perfect information.

[@marlaherrington5320]

Thank you for all your knowledge

[@kele1264]

Fantastic! Thank you! You've given me ideas for the north side of my house!

[@Hellohellohello7]

Thank you for putting this video out! I have a pretty good size area in my front yard that gets about 5 hours of sun and I did t know what to plant there…now I have an idea of lots of things I can grow there!

[@paddington1670]

Dont forget latitude matters as well, the direct sun at 60 degrees North is way different than the Equator or at 10 degrees

[@preschoolhomestead]

This was a great and informative video!

[@angelaslatzer9263]

Great video Luke! Lots of great ideas 👍🏼 We have 1 of our raised beds that gets quite a bit of shade from a neighbor’s cherry tree. I have Little Gem Lettuce, Beets, Perilla, Celery and Chard that I will try in that box 🌱 I wonder why Basil wasn’t mentioned. Mine always grows well in containers in the shade and burns easily if it gets too much sun. For reference, I am in high mountain desert, Boise, Idaho zone 6b

[@loverlyredhead]

He specifically said basil needs more sun than the other herbs. I have found that to be true as well. My basil was shaded by a tomato. It grew but very slowly and wasn't doing much. When I removed the tomato, the basil took off and turned into a massive bush. I made pesto for everyone for Christmas that year.

[@angelaslatzer9263]

@@loverlyredhead I will definitely go back and listen again. Our basil gets fried easily with our hot dry weather. I’ve grown so many varieties to see which one does best. This year we are trying Emerald Towers. Yes, Pesto is the best!!

[@missmartpants2269]

God bless!

[@robinpesek3657]

Thank you.

[@vickihalverson6328]

I received your amazing book a couple of days ago and I can't put it down. The information, tips and advice you give are priceless. It is easy to read and understand. I feel every gardener and potential gardener should read your book. This makes a great addition to my gardening library and I can't wait to implement your techniques. Thank you Luke for inspiring me and motivating me in my gardening journey.

[@sonnyamoran7383]

I have the hardest time germinating chives. Any hints or tips. I've tried everything except the paper towel method.

[@Sweettomatovine]

Great tips

[@harvestenthusiast4519]

Thank you💖

[@cwm007]

Thanks for sharing

[@RoseFelton]

Very interesting! It's good to know that I can grow several herbs in lower light. I live in Arizona so get a lot of sun, but I have a shady area on the north side of my house that I've put a few of my herbs, including mints. So, I'm glad to know that they can grow well there as well as several other herbs and veggies. Will be planting more there now. Thank you!

[@orreng]

Beatles song: “Give Beets a Chance”. Nice!! Hehehe…😂

[@josiahbowden1451]

Mint is good in tae

[@MaffeiKris]

I love your videos. Also, I have asparagus growing 4th year from your seeds :) I wish I planted more of them :/ best wishes to you, I feel like we are best friends 😂

[@shannon7156]

I'm starting a few beds in an area that has lower light. One of the crops I'm looking at putting in is rhubarb. Do you have any experience growing this in 4-5 hours?

[@agrandcanyonoffucksgiven2776]

Great video as always. Former Michigander here, I live in an old growth forest now with tall trees and I want to build a green house, but at most Im going to get 5-6 hours during high summer of direct sun light, and the rest is filtered thru trees. Im probably going to struggle to get 5 hours most of the time. What can I do with lights to expand my growing abilities?

[@coralmarcin2063]

Hi Luke! I LOVE your videos!!! And this one really helped a lot! I've only been gardening for about 2 years, but I have a spot in my garden that just soaks up the water and holds it there like crazy. It's unfortunate on the side of a slight hill, and it just seems too wet there to grow much. Can you please do a video on what plants do good with much more water? And also how to amend soil to help it shed some water? I always find things about how to retain water, but never how to get rid of some! Thank you so much for all you do and all you help me and others!!! You're awesome!!!

[@cosmich2o122]

👍👍

[@janiecehamblen933]

Could asparagus be planted near elderberry bushes?

[@kimberlyblake8705]

Luke, do you have a resource for annual flowers that do well in shade? I'm wanting to add more to my garden this year!

[@janstoll8881]

So if I hoop pole beans, can I grow carrots and beets underneath it? The opening faces south west.

[@NatureZone101]

Wish you would go over something about supplemental outdoor lights. I've asked a few times, but never a response or video.

[@reginacarroll8149]

I'm wondering how the new solar cycle impacts vegetables. Any ideas on that?

[@thomasthibedeau]

I grew tomatoes in the shade and they did just fine.

[@michaeljmelanson7926]

Collards, do well for me in Fl.