Yes, winter vegetables grow in shade better than summer crops do in the same spots. Most leafy greens need just 4-6 hours of direct sun per day during the cold months to give you a good harvest.
I grow lettuce on the north side of my house where summer crops fail every time. The low winter sun angles under the eaves and gives those beds enough light. By April the spot gets too shady again but I have months of salad by then.
Cool temps make shade tolerant winter crops possible because your plants use less energy when growth slows down. A spinach plant in 40°F (4°C) weather needs less light than the same plant would at 80°F in summer heat.
Low light vegetable growing works best with crops grown for their leaves. Lettuce, spinach, kale, and Swiss chard all handle partial shade well for you. Skip fruiting crops like tomatoes and peppers since they need full sun to make food.
Shade tolerant winter crops grow slower than full sun plantings but still give you good food. My shady bed lettuce takes two weeks longer to size up. I just plant earlier to make up the gap in my schedule.
You can boost light in your shady spots by pruning back any tree branches that block the low winter sun. Since deciduous trees drop their leaves, winter sun often reaches spots that are too dark in summer months.
When I first tried shady winter growing, I put carrots in a spot with only 3 hours of sun. The roots never sized up and I pulled tiny stubs in spring. Now I save my shadiest spots for lettuce and move roots to brighter beds.
Reflective surfaces help bounce more light onto your shady crops. A white wall or sheet of foil behind your plants can add the extra rays they need. This simple trick works well in corners where only one side gets direct sun.
Your shady spots have value for winter growing if you choose the right crops for them. Match the plant to the light level and you will harvest fresh greens from places that sit empty all summer long.
I turned my shadiest garden corner into a year-round lettuce patch. You can do the same by picking crops that thrive in low light. Winter shade growing gives you food from every square foot of your property.
Read the full article: Winter Vegetable Garden: Fresh Produce All Year
