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Old 03-08-2009, 09:00 AM posted to uk.rec.gardening
gogo[_2_] gogo[_2_] is offline
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First recorded activity by GardenBanter: Apr 2009
Posts: 10
Default shade tollerant veg

benjiboy wrote:
I have been asked to help a couple of new friends plant up a veggie
patch that we are creating at the back of some tenement blocks in
Edinburgh from some reclaimed wilderness. The buildings tower above the
plot on three sides...it may get 5 or 6 hours sun. What can we plant
there?

Hello,

I am in a very similar situation.. but worse! Also in Edinburgh, at the
back of a tenement building making the corner. So, in my case, no sun at
all, except the very back of the garden in summer for 1 or 2 hours.
Despite that I tried many times several vegetables: salads, onions,
leeks, etc. I have to say, in my case, the main problem was not the lack
of sun, but the thousands of snails and slugs, eating through every new
plants and seedlings quicker than every method of killing them (organic
or chemical). I decided to give up.

On the other end, this year, I decided to try on the tiny tenement front
garden, where it's much drier, and which receive maybe a good 4-5 hours
sun every day. For some reason, it is almost completely devoid of slugs
and snails. I've been really successful with all sorts of
salads/lettuces, onions and leeks look good, I got a few radishes and
carrots, it looks like I might have some french beans on the railings
and I have 4-5 lareg broccoli waiting to produce florets....

Philippe