Shady corners in Washington gardens don’t have to stay empty. Plenty of veggies actually enjoy less sunlight and still produce a tasty harvest.
With the right picks, you can turn those cooler, dimmer spots into productive growing areas. Let’s look at some vegetables that thrive even when the sun doesn’t shine all day!
1. Lettuce
Cool and crisp, lettuce actually prefers the gentle filtered light found in Washington’s shady gardens. Too much direct sun causes it to bolt quickly, turning bitter and woody.
Many Washington gardeners find their lettuce crops last weeks longer in partial shade than in full sun areas. Try varieties like ‘Black Seeded Simpson’ or ‘Red Sails’ for the best shade performance.
2. Spinach
Heat-sensitive spinach thrives in Washington’s shadier spots, producing tender leaves longer than in sunny locations. The cool conditions prevent premature bolting, extending your harvest season significantly.
Washington gardeners report spinach grown in dappled shade tastes sweeter than sun-grown varieties. For best results, plant ‘Bloomsdale’ or ‘Tyee’ varieties in early spring or late summer.
3. Kale
Hardy and resilient, kale performs remarkably well in Washington’s shadier gardens. The cooler temperatures actually improve its flavor, making the leaves sweeter after light frosts.
Many gardeners across Washington find ‘Lacinato’ and ‘Red Russian’ varieties particularly shade-tolerant. The plant’s deep root system helps it access nutrients even in less-than-ideal light conditions.
4. Arugula
Peppery arugula actually prefers Washington’s cool, shady spots to intense sunshine. In lower light conditions, it maintains its tender texture longer without developing the excessive bitterness that heat induces.
Washington gardeners can extend their arugula season by weeks when growing in dappled shade. This fast-growing green can be harvested multiple times, making it perfect for small space gardens with limited sun.
5. Swiss Chard
Vibrant and versatile, Swiss chard adapts beautifully to Washington’s shadier garden spots. The colorful stems and crinkled leaves continue producing throughout the season, even with just 3-4 hours of filtered sunlight.
Gardeners throughout Washington appreciate chard’s reliability in less-than-ideal conditions. ‘Bright Lights’ variety brings stunning color to shady spaces, while ‘Fordhook Giant’ offers exceptional production even under tree canopies.
6. Mustard Greens
Spicy and quick-growing, mustard greens thrive in Washington’s partially shaded gardens. The reduced sunlight actually helps temper their characteristic heat, resulting in more palatable leaves for many gardeners.
Across Washington state, varieties like ‘Red Giant’ and ‘Green Wave’ perform exceptionally well in dappled light. Their shallow root systems make them perfect for containers on shaded patios or under trees.
7. Bok Choy
Quick-maturing bok choy excels in Washington’s shadier garden spots, forming tight, crisp heads even with limited direct sunlight. The cool conditions prevent premature bolting, a common issue in hotter, sunnier locations.
Many Washington gardeners find they can grow successive crops of bok choy throughout the season in partially shaded beds. Baby varieties like ‘Toy Choy’ are particularly well-suited to lower light conditions.
8. Beets
Surprisingly shade-tolerant, beets perform admirably in Washington’s dappled light conditions. While growth might be slightly slower, many gardeners find the roots develop sweeter flavors when grown in partial shade.
Throughout Washington state, varieties like ‘Detroit Dark Red’ and ‘Chioggia’ adapt well to less sunlight. An added bonus: the nutritious beet greens often grow larger and more tender in shadier spots.
9. Radishes
Quick to mature, radishes thrive in Washington’s shadier garden spots, often developing milder, less pungent flavors than their sun-grown counterparts. Their rapid growth cycle makes them perfect for maximizing production in less-than-ideal light.
Washington gardeners find spring varieties like ‘Cherry Belle’ and ‘French Breakfast’ particularly well-suited to dappled shade. Plant successive crops every two weeks for continuous harvests throughout the growing season.
10. Carrots
Sweet and crunchy, carrots grow surprisingly well in Washington’s partially shaded gardens. While they might take slightly longer to mature, the shade often results in sweeter, more tender roots than those grown in full sun.
Washington gardeners find shorter varieties like ‘Oxheart’ and ‘Paris Market’ perform best in lower light conditions. The cooler soil in shaded areas helps maintain consistent moisture, preventing the splitting common in sun-baked gardens.
11. Peas
Cool-season peas flourish in Washington’s dappled shade, often producing longer than their sun-grown counterparts. The moderate temperatures prevent the plants from shutting down production during hot spells.
Many Washington gardeners find snow peas and snap peas particularly adaptable to shadier conditions. Their vertical growth habit also makes them perfect for maximizing space in light-limited gardens along the state’s western regions.
12. Broccoli
Heat-sensitive broccoli actually prefers Washington’s cooler, partially shaded gardens to full sun locations. The moderate temperatures help prevent premature flowering, resulting in larger, more compact heads.
Gardeners throughout Washington state report better success with fall crops of broccoli planted in dappled shade. Varieties like ‘Belstar’ and ‘Green Magic’ are particularly well-adapted to lower light conditions.
13. Cauliflower
Finicky cauliflower thrives in Washington’s shadier garden spots, producing tight, white heads without the discoloration often seen in sun-exposed plants. The consistent temperatures prevent the buttoning and riciness common in stressful conditions.
Many Washington gardeners find self-blanching varieties like ‘Snowball’ perform exceptionally well in filtered light. The cooler soil in shaded areas also helps prevent club root, a common brassica disease.
14. Celery
Moisture-loving celery excels in Washington’s shadier gardens, producing crisp, tender stalks without the stringiness often found in heat-stressed plants. The consistent moisture levels in shaded soil benefit this thirsty crop enormously.
Throughout Washington state, gardeners find celery grown in dappled shade develops better flavor than sun-grown varieties. Try ‘Utah’ or ‘Pascal’ varieties for the best performance in limited light conditions.
15. Turnips
Often overlooked, turnips perform remarkably well in Washington’s partially shaded gardens. The cooler soil temperatures result in sweeter roots without the pithiness that develops in hot conditions.
Washington gardeners particularly value turnips for fall and winter harvests from shaded beds. Both the ‘Tokyo Market’ and ‘Hakurei’ varieties develop quickly even in filtered light, providing tender roots and nutritious greens.
16. Kohlrabi
Unusual but adaptable, kohlrabi thrives in Washington’s dappled shade, forming crisp, flavorful bulbs even with limited direct sunlight. The moderate temperatures prevent the woodiness that develops when grown in hot, sunny locations.
Gardeners across Washington find both purple and green varieties perform well in filtered light. Their shallow root systems make them perfect companions for deeper-rooted shade-tolerant vegetables in space-limited gardens.
17. Parsnips
Sweet and starchy, parsnips grow surprisingly well in Washington’s shadier garden spots. While they require patience, the resulting roots often develop richer flavors when grown in partial shade than in full sun.
Many Washington gardeners find varieties like ‘Hollow Crown’ and ‘Harris Model’ adapt beautifully to dappled light conditions. Their deep root systems access nutrients and moisture even in competitive shaded environments.
18. Scallions
Quick-growing scallions flourish in Washington’s shadier gardens, providing year-round harvests with minimal space requirements. Their slender form allows them to thrive even in the dappled light beneath deciduous trees.
Gardeners throughout Washington appreciate how scallions can be tucked into any available space in shade-challenged gardens. For continuous harvests, plant varieties like ‘Evergreen Hardy White’ or ‘Tokyo Long White’ every few weeks.