[Martin the Mug]

Hi,

Have just got a plot which hasn't been cultivated for 4 years and is shaded due to being on the boundary next to a wood on the west side. Hence my log in name 

But any plot is better than no plot I'm thinking. I'm not a huge allotment expert having only grown veg once before in 2012 (beans, spuds, onions, salad gear etc).

I understand I will only get the sun until mid afternoon.
Is there any immediate basic advice anyone can offer on what I will and will not be able to grow?
Many thanks
Martin

[3759allen]

do you get sun from early morning until mid afternoon? if so thats not too bad.

you should be able to grow most things, put the sun loving plants in the part that gets the most sun.

i would be more concerned about the nutrient shortage you may have by the trees near bye using them up. and the drainage of the soil (if its not well draining and small amounts of sun it will be water logged for longer).

[Fairy Plotmother]

Hello Martin and welcome. You could choose to keep the more shady end for compost heaps, storage area etc.

[Hampshire Hog]

Some crops such as lettuce will welcome growing in partial shade rather than full sun.
Also you may be able to play with height of the soil eg you could have carrots growing in a tub/bin some 6 foot off the ground thus meaning the sun may reach them at this level and minimise fly attack.

Good luck
HH

[green_lolly]

I've got almost the same situation Martin so I'll watch this thread with interest.

[ARPoet]

If put your compost heaps, etc next to the border, and then get hold of some white boards and build a reflective fence in front of them, that will help lighten a dark space.

[Ivor Backache]

Shade can be a positive. Lots of people have shaded gardens. What you are really talking about is light. You say it has been cultivated for 4 years, so that tells me that there are no serious problems.
What would concern me is the roots of these trees. How much moisture is taken out of the soil. You know how much rain you have had recently..is the ground dry?

[BabbyAnn]

There was a similar plot on my site that had been left vacant for many years due to the trees down the full length of the plot on the west side, but during the boom in allotment interest, eventually even this plot was taken on.  The plot never thrived and eventually the tenant left and soon after the trees were removed.

Tree roots and shade do sound like a major problem - how about raised beds?  A good height will also allow some beds to have sunlight for a little longer, and depth for deep rooted veg.

[azubah]

Rhubarb does not mind being in the shade. Flowering plants generally need sun to flower well. Leafy ones, such as cabbage, may not need it the same.

[pink aubergine]

Raspberries don't mind shade, also I have found over the last few years that spring sunshine has sometimes been too hot for some crops. I have shaded peas, also lettuce, fennel, rocket etc to stop bolting.

[Yorkie]

Leaf crops don't like full sun too much, as pink aubergine has already said.

[Martin the Mug]

Thanks for all the great advice - sorry I've been away for a few days so haven't replied.

Haven't actually seen the plot yet as we move there in a couple of weeks but I've been told the plot did have some nice fruit trees on it (to which I thought "so that's an orchard then, not an allotment!) at one stage so guessing the nearby wood isn't too much of a problem vis a vis taking up water. It is in Cumbria so plenty of water usually descends from the sky!

Will certainly look at possibility of raised beds, and composting at southern end of site (there is a house gable end on the southern side of plot also, which casts further shade :-( ). Plus I LOVE rhubarb so that's definitely going in.

Will report back when we get up there and I can assess the plot and the type of soil. In the meantime I am suitably encouraged by all your positive thoughts - many thanks.

Cheers
Martin