On Fri, 12 Mar 2004 21:57:33 -0800, "gregpresley"
wrote:

A lot of leafy greens don't require full sun - various lettuces, spinach,
etc. I think cabbage family stuff does better though in full sun - so
collards, cale, etc would not work as well. But parsley and mint would also
be fine in partial shade.

Which way is your slope facing? How large is it?
You'll have better results with one that is south facing, next best is
west or east facing, and you could be dealing with serious shade if it
is north facing.

If your slope is south facing, you have some serious early garden
potential. It's soil will be warm before any other part of your
garden, and it will receive full sun until the trees leaf out.
Put in a cold frame, and you can have greens in January and February!

The cut off for when full sun plants will do well in partial shade is
six hours. If they are getting six hours of full sun, they will be
just fine, just a little less vigorous than their sun blasted
neighbours.

Rhubarb and raspberries will be satisfactory - just not as sweet
asthey would be in full sun. Also try lovage (celery's bigger wilder
cousin) One plant will keep a family of four in cooked celery flavour
(soups, stocks, stews) after it's second year. They get pretty
spectacular when they flower - 6 ft tall. Chives will do OK there , as
will chevril, winter and summer savouries, - just not as vigorous as
in full sun. Lovage, mint, chives and most other herbs are perennials,
the chevril and summer savoury are annuals..

If your slope is a larger one (anything longer than 6 ft) I'd suggest
adding some terracing as time goes on - just boards staked into the
ground will do. When you are gardening on a slope that steep, you will
run into issues of surface erosion earch time you cultivate the soil.
A bit of terracing (and lots of mulching) will control that.

Shirley Hicks
Toronto