"Full sun" means 6+ hours of direct sunlight. If your garden gets less, you still have options — just not unlimited ones.
The shade hierarchy
- 6+ hours sun: anything goes
- 4–5 hours sun: "partial sun" — leafy greens, root crops, peas
- 2–3 hours sun: "deep shade" — leafy greens only, with reduced yields
- <2 hours sun: ornamentals or microgreens only
14 crops that thrive in partial shade
Leafy greens: lettuce, spinach, arugula, kale, chard, mizuna, sorrel Roots: beets, radishes, carrots (slower, but ok) Brassicas: broccoli, cabbage, bok choy Herbs: parsley, cilantro, chives, mint
Shade actually helps these in summer — slows bolting and keeps leaves tender.
Crops to skip in shade
Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, squash, melons, corn, beans. All need full sun to flower and fruit. You will get leaves but no harvest.
Tricks to squeeze more from shade
- Paint nearby walls white to bounce light
- Use reflective mulch (silver-side-up)
- Choose dwarf or "Tom Thumb" varieties bred for short days
- Time plantings for spring and fall when sun angle is lower and trees are bare