
Moisture retentive soil is the first step to reach success on a hot summer and the secret to this grow-in-heat solution. Mix 1/3 rotted manure, 1/3 compost, and 1/3 traditional soil in your planting bed. Plant shade-loving vegetables in the beds, then mulch well. Although there are exceptions, generally speaking, the rule for shade vegetable plantings is “No Roots! No Fruits!” – meaning any plant that is a heavy producer of a root vegetable or a fruit vegetable will not do well in a full shade bed.
Below is a list of shade-loving vegetables –
• Arugula
• Basil
• Beans
• Beets
• Celery
• Collards
• Corn Maiche
• Cucumbers
• Herbs (i.e. chives, cilantro, lemon balm, mint, oregano, parsley, scallions)
• Kale (all types)
• Lettuces (all types)
• Mustard Greens
• Pak Choi
• Peas
• Radishes
• Rhubarb
• Spinach
• Swiss Chard
Hop on board the shade growing train and try growing a shade vegetable bed during the hot summer – you will be rewarded with lots of garden love.