[tallgingerbloke]

Hi,
Just planning for next year.

I have a couple of apples trees at the bottom of my allotment and wondered if there is anything I can grow in the shade that these produce, they do take up quite a lot of room so it would be great to take advantage of this space.

Thanks

[digalotty]

it will depend on weather it is full shade or weather they will see a bit of sun also they will be competing with the roots of the tree , i have read that nothing grows in full shade

[mumofstig]

Have alook here

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=63389.msg726204#msg726204

[RichardA]

Rhubarb

[gillie]

As well as the shade cast you  have to think about the roots of the apple trees which do not  need their roots disturbing too much or they will start suckering.

So I vote for rhubarb - or it would be a good place for your compost heaps/bins.

Gillie

[RichardA]

I used the space under my favourite apple tree as a space to sit and think, though mostly  I just sit.
It worked for Sir Isaac Newton, look how famous he became.
R

[dmhain]

I have an apple tree, the area under it gets sun for half the day then its in full shade.  This year I grew peas under it and they done really well.  This year I am going to try jerusalum artichoke as I read somewhere they dont mind a bit of shade, If they work I may just leave them there for good!

[tallgingerbloke]

Thanks guys,I like the idea of sitting and thinking....actually wondering about a hammock!

[Goosegirl]

Just check on Jerusalem artichokes as I think they can be invasive - not sure. Parsely does well as do chives. Don't know how much space you have to spare - presume you want something edible. You need something that won't rob the nutrients out of the area. Rhubarb can grow pretty big and is a hungry feeder. Small caulis would be ok as I find they don't "blow" when in shade and I grew my first under an old Bramley apple tree.

[Yorkie]

Thanks guys,I like the idea of sitting and thinking....actually wondering about a hammock!

Those ideas are fine until June drop or autumn self-harvesting, mind out for dive-bombing by falling apples ...  :blink:

[gillie]

Jerusalem artichokes are a bit of a pain.  They always reappear from small bits that you have left in, or from peelings put in the compost bin.  They also grow very tall - like 8 - 10 feet.  So they will go right up amongst the apples.  You would have to dig the ground over to harvest them, which would not be good for the apple trees.

Gillie