[ally]

Hi everyone,  My allotment is now three years old and although I have grown bits and bobs over these years I have had two lovely daughters, so time and the ability to bend down has been limited.
Anyway now I have my little helpers and this year I plan to grow to maximum space, this leads me to my questions/issue!!
I have a southfacing allotment (in my garden) and the leftside is shaded until mid afternoon.  what can I grow in this space?? its against a fence. In my inexperience I have tried peas, tomatoes, onions and beets; all have been disspointing.  So can you help / guide me please.

[mumofstig]

you could try: salad greens, lettuce, calabrese, kale, cauliflower, radishes, beans/runners and fruit like rhubarb and raspberries.

I have grown peas and beets in a similar place in my garden, with no problem though.

[DD.]

I'm suprised about the peas also, maybe there were other factors.

[TheSpartacat]

Yeah, I also thought "huh?" about the peas.
Could they have been pinched by mice?

I'd add to Mum's list Beetroot, Broccoli, Chard, Perpetual Spinach, Kohl Rabi, Early veg like cabbage, broad beans, Chives, Mint, parsley, Cardammon, Chicory, blackcurrants, gooseberry.
Onions and Garlic usually do ok in part shade too, from my experience, but perhaps your shade is shadier than mine   if ya know what i mean.

And you could grow squash at the edge of the shadey bit and train it towards the sunny bit...?
Maybe plant through black plastic to keep the soil warm?

[JaK]

Stick in some jerulsalem artichokes in against the fence, they are tall but don't mind a bit of shade. They also have pretty flowers.

[gowing238]

I have found marestail does really well in the shade!!! Grrrrrr!!!!! Dam you marestail !!! lol!

[ally]

I'm suprised about the peas also, maybe there were other factors.

Does it make a difference if on the otherside of the fence is a plum tree? My peas last year only made it a foot high?

[DD.]

What sort of soil have you got, (light, sandy, stoney, clay etc.) & how far away from said tree are they?

[Goosegirl]

I'd definitely try beetroot (yuk!) and calabrese such as caulis, also parsley.

[ally]

What sort of soil have you got, (light, sandy, stoney, clay etc.) & how far away from said tree are they?

I think you would call it light soil; Was told by the people the owned the plum tree the soil is good for growing carrots!!

The tree is only a few foot on the otherside of the fence; it rains plums in my garden in the summer!! 

Peas have only even grown two foot if that, beets germinate but dont grow any bigger than an olive and onions are they same very small.

Its a nightmare as its all along this one side, planted courgettes on the same side last year a good 7 foot from the plum tree and didnt get half the yeild of courgettes compared to the courgette plant on the opposite.  tried a squash too and trailed it out of the shade and only got one??? its very odd. 

[upert]

I'm following this thread with interest as half of my plot is in shade.  Well, maybe a little more than half but the chickens take up the shadiest area.

This winter I judiciously pruned the lower branches of some adjacent trees so I hope that part will be a little lighter this year.

[DD.]

Could be that water is the issue if it's light soil it'll no doubt be free draining and the plum tree will be sucking it away as well - that and the nutrients. Have you watered in the drier weather?

[mumofstig]

The roots from the tree will take all the water and goodness from the soil.

If that is the only place you can grow you will have to dig out as much root as you can, and continually feed and water.
Even making raised beds won't help because the tree roots just grow up into beds.
(It's what happened in my garden )

About peas though........regular varieties of peas only grow 18-24ins tall.......I think extra feeding and watering will help them also the beet and onions.

seems I agree with DD 

[viettaclark]

Just wondering if the soil there may be a bit too acid for some crops? Shade, under a fruit tree.......?

[ally]

On warm days I have to water first thing (with children that is before 7am) and also give some plants a drink at night if its been very hot during the day.
I will get a soil test today and see what the out come is. 
Thanks for all your help and advice ...