Establishing a new garden bed is so much fun!
Well, that is, until you realize that the new spot is completely shaded….
Most plants will not tolerate full shade, especially during the spring and fall seasons.
If you plan to place your bed:
- Within a breezeway
- Under an overhang or carport
- Underneath a large tree
- Between landscaping bushes
- Inside of a fence corner
You need to pay very close attention to the lighting requirements of your plants.
Do you want plants that WILL produce for you?
Do you want to see your new bed thrive, rather than fail?
Then, check out the herbs that’ll give you far fewer heartaches!
3 Excellent Herbs That Grow In Full Shade
If you place plants that require full sun in your full shade garden bed, you will be met with heartbreak within a few weeks.
If plants don’t get the sunlight that they require for growth and fruit production, they will be stunted, fail to thrive, not produce much (if any) fruit, become susceptible to disease and pests, and potentially die as a result. You might as well migrate to an artificially lit indoor herb garden at this point, to ensure adequate lighting. As a homesteader, failing beds are simply a waste of time for you; so let’s get busy!
Mint: The Ultimate Survivor
Check out these different types of mint, as each will give you a unique flavor. Peppermint is also an excellent candidate for growing, especially if you make a lot of candies, teas, and baked goods during the winter’s holidays.
When it comes to thriving, I’m not kidding when I say that mint will survive anything!
If you give a mint plant no light, it will become leggy, but will still grow at an incredible rate.
In full shade, the plant will thrive; just be sure that you still keep the mint contained in a large, strong pot like this… trust me here, you will regret it if the mint breaches its confines. It will grow at a slower rate than if it was in full sun, but you should never underestimate the spreading capabilities of this herb.
It can and will take over!
Great Uses for Mint
- Mint makes a delicious tea, or provides a delicious herbal infusion for black tea.
- It is a powerful rodent repellent.
- Mint also repels many common indoor pests, such as spiders or flies.
- It is a powerful medicinal herb, with many people using it for the respiratory tract or irritated throat.
- Mint is added to organic pesticides and repellents for the all-natural garden.
- Mint is great for producing essential oil for diffusing, and is excellent as a room refresher.
Chives Don’t Ask for Much!
Chives are also a great addition to the shaded garden; they truly don’t demand much from you.
This delicious baked potato garnish can produce a lot of leaves in a small space, even if it grows somewhat slower in the shade.
You should ensure that the chives have well draining soil, and that they are not crowded by other plants; a shaded bed should not be crowded, so that plants can absorb as much light as they can while achieving optimal air circulation.
If you want an easily accessible bunch of chives, try growing them in a space maximizing window or balcony planter as they thrive quite well in them!
Great Uses for Chives
- This herb is a potato’s best friend: baked, mashed, roasted, or fried!
- Chives are very easy to preserve for winter: chop, dehydrate, store in jars, and you’re done!
- Chives have a mild onion flavor, and are a great substitute for the more pungent onion.
- Preserved, dehydrated chives are perfect for stews and soups.
- Chives are said to repel aphids: try using them to protect other shaded plants.
Oregano: Another Shade-Tolerant Fighter
There are a few different types of Oregano, but this Italian variety is one of the most popular.
Oregano may not thrive quite as well as mint and chives will, but it will chug along in the shade!
Oregano is an herb that will root as it creeps, allowing it to take plenty of nutrients from the soil. This also means the root systems can support far more foliage across many plants rather than just one; increasing the rate of growth.
It may start off slower, but it will gain momentum as the season continues on! Therefore, this prime Italian spice will reward you significantly at season’s end.
Uses for Oregano
- Oregano is a component of nearly every Italian-inspired tomato sauce, from pasta sauce to pizza sauce.
- It’s also a vital part of many Mediterranean dishes, too!
- This herb is also easy to dehydrate and preserve.
- It is commonly used in poultry seasoning, and gives chicken a wonderful aroma and flavor.
- Oregano is used to produce oil, and was used for its antibacterial properties by the Greek.
